» About 236 Kensington (Life Guards)

236 detachment was opened in 2010 to serve the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. It operates from the TA centre on Adam & Eve Mews, just off Kensington High Street. The detachment is sponsored by the Life Guards, one of the two British Army regiments that make up the Household Cavalry. It is run by experienced adult instructors; the detachment's commander, SI Poynter, is also a veteran of the British Army. The detachment accepts recruits from all schools in the area and is open to both boys and girls.

236 Kensington parades on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1900 to 2130.

» Frequently asked questions

Who can join the ACF?

Boys and girls aged between 12 and 18 can join as a cadets. Please note: if you are aged 12 you must be in year 8 at school to join. You can become an adult instructor from 18.

Do I have to join the Army if I become a cadet?

Absolutely not. The Army Cadet Force is sponsored by the Army and we use much of their equipment and facilities, but there is absolutely no obligation to join any of the armed services at any time. You can also leave the Army Cadet Force at any time.

Is it safe?

All staff are trained in safety and are CRB cleared. Adventurous training activities are always supervised by adults with the apropriate specific qualifications. Cadets are only allowed to handle weapons after they have passed a test in weapons safety.

Will being in the ACF help me if I want to join the army after my studies?

Absolutely. We follow much of the military training syllabus which will give you a great advantage over those new soldiers that have not had any cadet experience. Many of our cadets who do join the Army qualify from training as the best recruits as they already have a good grounding in military skills before they start their training.

Will I be provided with a uniform?

On joining the Army Cadet Force as a cadet you would be issued with a uniform and any equipment necessary to carry out your training. All you need to buy is a good pair of boots.

Which days and what time do the cadets meet up?

We meet from 1900-2130 on Mondays and Wednesdays with ocassional weekend camps and competitions.

What is a BTEC qualification?

As an Army Cadet you can work towards a BTEC in Public Services or Music as part of your normal ACF activities. This is a nationally recognised qualification which is the equivalent to four Standard Grades in Scotland level 1 to 3 or four GCSEs at grade A* to C. You can also gain a Certificate in Team Leading from the Institute of Leadership and Management.

Can I participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award in the ACF?

Yes you can. The Army Cadet Force is the second largest operator of the DofE Award in the UK and all elements of the award can be completed as part of your normal ACF activities.

Does it cost anything to join as a cadet?

The only joining cost is the price of a pair of boots! Weekends away cost around £15 and for the Annual Summer camp, there is normally a small fee of approximately £65-£80 for 2 weeks.

What does annual camp entail?

This is where everyone in your county has the opportunity to go away for either one or two weeks during the school summer holidays to one of the Army's training camps somewhere in the UK. This could be anywhere from ewquay in Cornwall to the Scottish Highlands.

Is there a chance of foreign travel?

There are both nationally and locally organised foreign exchange trips available for cadets to many different countries. These could include adventurous training in Canada, learning survival skills in the Australian outback or visiting a Regular Army unit in Germany. What is available will largely depend on your location and your personal drive!

Do I need to be a UK citizen to join the ACF?

No. You do not have to be a UK citizen to join as a cadet.