New Zealand Cadet Corps

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The New Zealand Cadet Corps (NZCC), is one of the three corps in the New Zealand Cadet Forces, the other two being the Air Training Corps, and Sea Cadet Corps. There is no reference to the Army within the official title of the NZCC, but an army theme is used for the NZCC. All of its members, from the cadets themselves to the officers and the support committees are civilian volunteers. Members have no obligation to head into the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) however some do choose to join the NZDF.

1 Organisation
2 Uniform and Insignia
3 Membership
- 3.1 Cadet Members
- 3.2 Adult Members
4 Activities
5 Courses
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Organisation

[edit] National

The NZCC is managed at a national level by the Commandant (usually a Regular Force Lieutenant-Colonel/Wing Commander/Commander), and his/her Staff at Defence Force Headquarters in Wellington. (The current Commandant is Lieutenant Colonel Bob Campbell)

[edit] Area

The country is broken into 3 areas, Northern (Northern half of the North Island), Central (Southern half of the North Island) and Southern (entire South Island). Each area has a NZCF Training and Support Unit, commanded by an Area Co-ordinator, with Advisors for New Zealand Cadet Corps units.

[edit] Unit

Each unit is managed by the Cadet Unit Commander, and his/hers officers.

[edit] Uniform and Insignia

Rank Insignia of a Cadet Warrant Officer

The uniform worn by NZCC members is the same as that of the New Zealand Army, except that for all ranks, the lettering on the bottom of the rank insignia shoulder boards reads CADET FORCES rather than NEW ZEALAND to differentiate NZCC personnel from New Zealand Army personnel. Furthermore, NZCC rank insignia are red, a colour no longer used by the New Zealand Army for rank insignia. Officer Service Dress Uniforms have a shoulder flash reading NEW ZEALAND CADET FORCES, rather than NEW ZEALAND for the same reason. The cadets wear a NZCF cap badge (same as NZCC logo) on their beret, Cadets wear their achievements on a shoulder brassard. Officers who were formerly cadets do not wear their cadet awards on the officer uniform

[edit] Membership

[edit] Cadet Members

Cadets can join from the age of 13 to the age of 18. Units provide uniform, but may hold bonds to ensure that they are returned. Unit fees are set by each unit annually, but are normally between $10.00-$20.00 per term. Cadets may in time be promoted to NCO ranks. Cadet NCO ranks are based on the New Zealand Army ranks, and are

Cadet Lance Corporal (CDT LCPL),
Cadet Corporal (CDT CPL),
Cadet Sergeant (CDT SGT),
Cadet Staff Sergeant (CDT S/SGT),
Cadet Warrant Officer (CDT WO), and
Cadet Under Officer (CDT U/O).

The exception is that Under Officer is not a rank in the NZ Army. In the NZCC, NCO ranks are often abbreviated by omitting the "Cadet" prefix. However, not all cadets become NCOs, but all get the chance to train and progress though the different levels of training, Basic, Junior, and Senior levels, by demonstrating knowledge of subjects in their training year.

[edit] Adult Members

Adult Members can serve in two capacities: Commissioned Officers or Civilian Instructors. Officers are commissioned into the New Zealand Cadet Forces, with the post-nominal letters NZCF, at the rank of Second Lieutenant, and can be promoted to Lieutenant, Captain or Major after completing the necessary training and service. To reach Major the officer must have completed some time as a Cadet Unit Commander. Civilian Instructors are civilians who help train cadets. They do not wear uniform, but they are generally treated the similarly to officers by cadets. Members of the NZDF are occasionally attached to cadet units to assist in conducting training. This is normally because they know a cadet/officer in that unit, or if they have a particular interest in cadet forces.

[edit] Activities

[edit] Parade Nights

Every unit holds Parade Nights around 2-3 hours long weekly during School Terms. Each parade night usually begins and ends with a parade. The starting parade is used to inspect uniforms, and to inform the cadets on the parade night's activities. The final parade to inform the cadets on upcoming events in the unit. Between the parades, the cadets undergo classroom, or practical instruction.

[edit] Bushcraft

A New Zealand Cadet Corps unit on exercise

Most units conduct classroom training in bushraft and survival skills, and hold regular Basic and Advanced bushcraft camps in the local area during weekends. There is a national bushcraft course held either at Dip Flat near RNZAF Base Woodbourne or at the Waiouru Army Camp.

[edit] Shooting

Units conduct regular range training with smallbore rifles. Some units have their own armouries and ranges at their parade hall. Cadets must pass a TOET (Test of Elementary Knowledge) before being allowed on the range.