VCC Achieves MOD Sponsorship

VOLUNTEER CADET CORPS ACHIEVES MOD SPONSORSHIP

The Volunteer Cadet Corps, part of the Royal Navy’s ‘Navy Youth’ section, has recently been awarded ‘sponsored status’ by the Ministry of Defence.  Formerly just recognised by the MOD, although part of and supported by the Royal Navy, the confirmation that the MOD has agreed to sponsor the VCC was notified to the First Sea Lord last week following a submission to the Armed Forces Minister.  This means the VCC now exists on a par with the other MOD sponsored UK Cadet Forces and looks forward to expanding its offering to the nation’s youngsters now that it has equal access to MOD cadet force resources.

“I am delighted that the VCC is now fully sponsored by the MOD and is a fully-fledged member of the UK Cadet Forces family”

said Commander VCC, Lt Col Terry Wing RMC, upon hearing the news.

“The VCC has been supporting the youth aims of the Royal Navy for over 116 years and although smaller in comparison to the Sea Cadets, the Royal Naval Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets of the VCC have made a significant contribution to the Naval Service well beyond their number.”

Background Information

The Volunteer Cadet Corps was formed by the Admiralty in 1901 in Portsmouth and consists of Royal Naval Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets. Originally only open to the sons of service personnel, the VCC now accepts boys and girls from all walks of life between the ages of 9 and 18. Unlike the Sea Cadet Corps, the VCC is generally based within and supported by Naval Service establishments. It aims to provide opportunities for young people to develop into responsible, dependable and useful members of society, employing the traditions and practises of the Naval Service as the basis for their activities.

Royal Naval Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets of the VCC get involved in all sorts of naval and military training including sailing, fieldcraft, navigation, competitions, skill at arms, ceremonial events, musicianship, field gun, sports, target shooting and adventurous training. VCC units also help to represent the Naval Service within their local communities and across the country. VCC cadets have appeared at the Royal Tournament, Navy Days, numerous Remembrance Parades, HRH Duke of Edinburgh’s retirement parade at Buckingham Palace and many other civic and community events.

The VCC is not a pre-service organisation and is run by civilian and service volunteers in their spare time.  It is part of the Royal Navy’s ‘Navy Youth’ section within the command of Commander Core Training and Recruiting (COMCORE), reporting to Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST).  The VCC currently has units in Portsmouth, Gosport, Fareham, Lympstone and Plymouth, with new units opening soon in Arbroath and Helston. The VCC also has a Royal Marines Cadet Band and is headquartered alongside Navy Command HQ in Portsmouth.