Who can join
Male and female youths between the ages of 13 and 16 can join the Unit. Those who are younger may also sign up if they are attending secondary school. New Cadets must attend training for a four week trial period to determine if they would like to stay with the Unit.
Fees
Term fees assist with the running of the Unit as it does not receive any financial assistance from the NZ Cadet Forces. The current joining fee is a once only payment of $75, and ongoing fees are $20 per term or as set by the Parent Support Committee.
The cost of weekend activities can vary, but they generally range between $10 and $20 plus some assistance towards transport.
Forms
NZCF002 [pdf 8kb] - Enrolment form for new cadets
NZCF002a [pdf 8kb] - Terms & conditions for all cadets
Uniforms
After the trial period, new Cadets are issued with a uniform and enrolled. Uniforms remain the property of the NZ Army. Cadets are taught how to look after and wear their uniform, which is not to be worn outside of Cadet activities. Uniforms are returned when they leave the Unit.
How long Cadets stay
Cadets can stay up to the ages of 18-20, depending on their role. They may receive permission to stay in the Unit longer to work towards becoming an officer. Some Cadets stay for a year to learn basic skills and attend basic camps, or some up to the age of 20 and possibly beyond.
After the first year Cadets learn more advanced skills, leadership and then in turn teach the Cadets under them.
Cadet members may in time be promoted to non-commissioned officer (NCO) ranks based partly on the New Zealand Army ranks.
They are:
Cadet Lance Corporal (CDT LCPL)
Cadet Corporal (CDT CPL)
Cadet Sergeant (CDT SGT)
Cadet Staff Sergeant (CDT S/SGT)
Cadet Warrant Officer Class Two (CDT WOII)
Cadet Under Officer (CDT U/O)
In the New Zealand Cadet Corps, NCO ranks are often abbreviated by omitting the "Cadet" prefix. Not all Cadets become NCOs, but all get the chance to train and progress though the Basic, Junior, and Senior levels by demonstrating knowledge of subjects in their training year.
Adult members
Adult members can serve as Commissioned Officers or Civilian Instructors. They are commissioned into the New Zealand Cadet Forces with the post-nominal letters NZCF, at the rank of Second Lieutenant. They can be promoted to Lieutenant, Captain or Major after completing training and service. To reach Major, the officer must have served as the commanding officer of a Cadet Unit.
Officers are unpaid volunteers, but are paid when attending training course run by the New Zealand Defence Force. Civilian Instructors also help train Cadets. They do not wear uniform, but they are generally treated similarly to officers by Cadets. Members of the NZDF are occasionally attached to Cadet Units to assist in training.