Shortsighted defence move would blow Britain's future defence capabilities

Announced last summer, the Strategic Defence Review is about to report back. And amid a rush to re-arm in an increasingly hostile world, there are concerns the might sacrifice its long-standing financial commitments to Britain's Sea, Air, Army and Royal Marines cadets corps. Not only would such a shortsighted move be a blow to tens of thousands of young people, it would also risk the of the country.

A staggering 1.4 million children and young people had mental health issues in 2022/3; nearly a million 16-24-year-olds are today unemployed or not in training or education; and our 15-to-17-year-olds are the most obese in Europe. Generation Z also appears the most unpatriotic ever, with only half prepared to , according to a recent survey.

Cadet forces up and down the country tackle many of these problems and prepare young people to face modern life with confidence. Some will go on to enlist in the and enjoy rewarding careers. Others will take the skills they have learned into the civilian workplace. This has been the case now for nearly a century and a half.

younger brother of the founder of British policing Sir Robert, first suggested cadet units in 1859 while Secretary of State for War, fearing the number of troops being sent to India had left the British Isles dangerously exposed. Social reformer Octavia Hill, one of the co-founders of the , saw an opportunity to shape young minds by forming the first independent unit of youngsters in Southwark, south London, in 1889. Wanting to stop them becoming "loafers", her organisation became the model for today's

Sea cadets have similar origins when, in 1856, maritime communities formed the Naval Lads Brigade to give life chances to poor boys, mostly orphans of soldiers lost in . Today these forces, along with the Air Training Corps - founded in 1941 by First World War flying ace John Aidan Chamier, and the Royal Marines cadets - offer 11-to 18-year-olds from every social background unparalleled opportunities.

Adventure training, including outdoor sports like sailing, mountaineering, shooting and flying, breaks down social barriers and teaches them about teamwork and how to use initiative.

Annual camps across the UK and abroad extend horizons by working alongside real-life soldiers, sailors and airmen, as does survival training in the Leadership training affords them life-skills in problem-solving and resilience, with increasing levels of responsibility as they progress through the ranks.

And community projects, all part of the syllabus, such as helping the or traffic marshalling duties at state events, nurture a sense of service to society. Units themselves are bodies of social cohesion uniting young people from all backgrounds (one-third of cadets are girls) as they stand together every session, raising and lowering the Union Flag.

They also learn modern disciplines in space , marine or mechanical engineering, cryptography, and cyber besides navigation, first aid, music - with recognised vocational qualifications including BTechs. Being a cadet gives them a taste of military life, with many of today's fighter pilots, and commercial airline pilots, first learning to fly through the Air Cadets.

Most will pursue civilian careers, happy and fulfilled. Take distinguished physician professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, who joined the Army cadets at state school, became England's deputy chief medical officer and was knighted for his pandemic services.

Sir Jonathan loved the Army Cadet Force so much that he became an adult volunteer and after long service is now honorary 'Colonel JVT'. A Northampton University study has shown cadets provide a threefold return on investment reducing truancy, improving social mobility and improving exam results.

Yet despite these benefits, funding has been halved by £20 million since 2020. The departments have also stopped funding a schools' cadet expansion programme (Combined Cadet Forces are the school version of cadets).

Worse is expected in the defence review. And this comes when only 140,000 of the 3.2 million secondary school-aged children enjoy the chances the cadets can afford. must find creative ways to reinvigorate the stagnating schools' programme, deliver better tie-ins with military stations, facilitate strong industry relationships (space especially), increase female adult volunteers and encourage private donors.

As Colonel JVT said when accepting his honorary appointment, the cadet experience provides "adventure, activity, challenge, self-discipline, self-reliance, leadership and camaraderie" and "changes many young lives for the better." Long may it continue.

Andrew Southam is a freelance history journalist and writer