why do cadets leave? can we improve cadet retention?
TRANSCRIPT
Why Do Cadets Leave?
Can We Improve Cadet Retention?
Strength & Attendance
Number of Cadets by Age
Ages of Cadets
93
256303
239 219159
640
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Ages
Length of ServiceHow Long Cadets Served before being Struck of
Strength 2013
176
132
6751
33
278
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Less than 1year
1 - 2 Years 2 - 3 Years 3 - 4 Years 4 - 5 Years Over 5Years
Length of Service
Group Task
• Split into group of 4 or 5 with others of the same level– County Staff together– Company Staff together– Detachment Staff together
• Spend 5 minutes making a list why you think cadets leave.
Why did you decide to leave the ACF?
I left because of the higher rinks
cadets and I liked PT
Our detachment was poorly organised, for
example the lessons were repetitive, kit was scarce and we were lucky to be
taught by actual instructors
Being bullied being bored
doing same old stuff all the time
It got a bit repetitive
What didn't you enjoy about the ACF?
Lacking all the
equipment
Battle camps; getting up
ridiculously early
Same Lessons, Long-Term Un-
promoted in 2 years of being in cadets
PTDrill
Map and Compass
Not enough PT at detachment and literally no PT on camps
Higher rank cadets told us not to do something
but they did it themselves and also they thought that that can make fun of us.
Doing the same stuff every night
a feeling like people is
laughing at you
Lack of organisation and
variety in curriculum
Making comments
about my father
Group punishments
The waiting around, how people who were "bumlicks"
got promoted faster then people who where actually good but just got on with
stuff
Poor management of
star levels
Only 11 cadets were allowed to attend annual camp 2012 from my detachment which meant that I didn’t get on a
single annual camp
I always taught at detachment as
opposed to actually being in 3 star lessons
Certain detachments
getting to participate in more events
Never actually getting to go in the helicopter I was
promised in the recruitment PowerPoint
Do you feel that you achieved anything in the ACF? If yes what?New Friends for life. Skills that you wont gain anywhere else
Yes, I learnt lots in lessons which helped me in future and came away with some good
memories
Yes, i have more confidence, more
friends, better social skills and being able to
be in command
YES - a great deal. How to parade, look after my uniform ironing how to delegate and give and receive orders. How to speak to people and also more self esteem for myself THANK YOU !!
• Remember that most young people who have been cadets leave with improved life skills even if they don’t stay with us very long.