Portal:New Zealand/Selected article/Week 13, 2006
The New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF) is the parent organisation of the three forces New Zealand Cadet Corps, New Zealand Sea Cadet Corps, and New Zealand Air Training Corps. Its members are civilians. Members have no obligation to head into the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF); however, some do choose to join the NZDF.
The NZCF is a disciplined and well structured youth development and leadership-training organisation, that comprises units from Kerikeri to Invercargill, which provide male and female teenagers from 13 – 18 years old, with an opportunity to experience a wide range of outdoor activities and develop leadership qualities. The structured training provides a 3-year programme and promotes teamwork, self-reliance, resourcefulness, perseverance and an ethic of community service. The training is developed by using the processes developed by and for the NZDF, modified to be implemented by civilian cadet force officers and undertaken by young and developing adults.