Joining 6 Platoon

Joining is very easy. If you're aged between 12 and 18, come along on a parade night to see what we do.

On your first evening we like to arrange for you to meet our detachment commander and other instructors, but after that you would normally spend time training with our recruit cadre and making new friends.

At the end of the evening, we'll give you some forms to take home - if you decide you do want to join, bring these with you on the next parade night and we'll be able to issue your uniform faster.

If you think the ACF is not for you, that's no problem - we don't want to force you into it!

How much does it cost?

There is a one-off charge of £20 when you join. This is to cover our administration costs and loan of uniform (we endeavour to provide everything, but we are in short supply of boots so you may have to purchase your own). The joining fee also pays for a sleeping bag which you will need on camps.

Apart from that, the main cost is your time - much of the instruction and equipment is subsidised by the Ministry of Defence. There is a reasonable weekly subscription of £1 which goes towards camps, uniforms and the upkeep of the building.

Camps

Throughout your time in the ACF you will get opportunities to go off on camp. We generally have a weekend training camp every two months. These cost £15 which covers all instruction, accommodation and food. There are exceptions such as the 'living in the field' weekends, when the price is only £5. At least once a year you will be invited on a week-long residential course. The main one is annual camp, which took place in Norfolk last year. The cost of these camps is just £35.