Getting an Edge: The Impact and Value of the Cadet Forces in Wales: A Research Report Commissioned by the Reserve Forces’ & Cadets’ Association for Wales

This report was commissioned by the Chief Executive of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) for Wales in October 2023. The terms of reference set for the report were to identify the impacts and outcomes of the operation of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) sponsored Cadet Forces to provide a document that could be used by the Cadet Forces in Wales to inform policy makers, educational leaders, employers, current and future adult volunteers, and parents/guardians of current and future cadets of these impacts and outcomes.

The report adds to the body of research already conducted into the impacts of the Cadet Forces in the UK carried out by the Institute for Social Innovation and Impact (ISII) at the University of Northampton. In 2021 ISII published its report ‘What is the social impact and return on investment resulting from expenditure on the Cadet Forces in the UK?’1 This report, the results of a four-year study, was added to in 2023 with the report, ‘What is the impact of the Cadet Forces in Scotland?’2 An additional report, ‘The impact and value of school-based Cadet Force contingents in the UK’ is due to be published in late 2024.

This report will examine the impacts of the Cadet Forces in Wales on both young people (the cadets) and the adult volunteers that enable the Cadet Forces to operate. It will particularly examine Cadet Force outcomes on education and employability in Wales. Welsh Government policies and strategies that are supported by the outcomes of the Cadet Forces will be identified.