Join Us as a Cadet
Think you’ve got what it takes? Read about our recruitment process and join when you’re ready!
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Membership requirements
To join the New Zealand Cadet Forces as a cadet, you must:
Be 13-15 years old (or in Year 9 at secondary school)
Be willing to follow our Code of Conduct
Meet our requirements? Read on to find out more!
Recruitment Process
Recruitment into our unit as a Cadet takes place annually at the start of each year in February.
We usually commence this process with a series of information evenings towards the end of the preceding year and into the new year to allow both parents and future cadets to come along to the squadron and learn a bit more about what it means to be in the New Zealand Cadet Forces.
Below you will find the roadmap on what our recruitment process looks like.
Fill in a Recruit Contact List Form.
This form (found below or by clicking here) adds you to our Recruit Contact List. You will then be contacted by a Recruitment Officer, who will provide you with more information regarding recruitment and information evenings.
This does not enrol you or commit you to joining - it just allows us to get in touch with you as part of our recruitment process.
Attend a Recruitment Info Evening.
We host multiple recruitment information evenings at the start of Term 1 and the end of Term 4. During these events, you will be invited to view a short video presentation, followed by a Q&A session. The dates for these information evenings will be emailed to you, or can be found as an event on our Facebook page. Note: if you visit our unit, you must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times.
We may also visit your school during school hours, so do keep an eye out on your school noticeboard!
Attend parade nights as a Recruit.
Participate in some introductory lessons and activities alongside our senior cadets and Non-Commissioned Officers.
Fill in a
Cadet Enrolment Form.
Think you’re up for the challenge? Once you have committed to joining the unit, have your parents/guardians fill in an NZCF 2 Cadet Forces Enrolment Form — this will be sent to you via a personalised email link.
Once this is complete, your CadetNet login details will be sent to you, and you may attend weekly parade nights as a Recruit!
What’s Next?
Subscription Fees
To cover the numerous costs associated with running an NZCF unit (such as uniforms, training facilities and utilities), cadets will have to pay yearly subscription fees. For first year cadets, this cost is around $300 - you will be sent an invoice via email.
The subscription fees are discounted each year you remain in service until you complete your Cadet training — at this point, you will not be charged subscription fees and instead are welcome to come back on a voluntary basis.
Uniforms
Recruits will be issued a squadron t-shirt and baseball cap once you enrol. During this time, you will be sized up for your uniform. Your uniforms will be issued to you shortly after Basic Boot Camp.
Basic Boot Camp
After the recruitment period, all recruits are to attend Basic Boot Camp. Held over a weekend, you will receive your basic training and graduate as Basic 1 Cadets at the end of the camp.
Frequently Asked Questions - Cadet Recruitment
Still have questions? Please read the following FAQs prior to contacting us.
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You must be 13-15 years old at the time of enrolment, or 12 years old if in Year 9 at high school.
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Unfortunately you are past the age cut-off for joining the NZCF as a Cadet. However, you can join us as an Officer or staff member once you turn 18.
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Young people of all genders are welcome.
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The majority of cadets serve for up to four years. After that, if you are a senior cadet who has qualified on your leadership courses, you can serve as a cadet until the day before your 20th birthday, provided you hold and maintain a valid NZ Police and NZDF Security Vetting Clearance prior to your 18th birthday.
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In order to maintain a consistent experience for all cadets, you can only join at the beginning of each school year (starting in February). The exception to this is if you are a cadet currently enrolled with another unit looking to transfer to 40 SQN - this is handled on a case-by-case basis.
Recruit Contact List
Fill in the form below to be added to our Recruit Contact list. A recruitment officer will contact you soon.
Note: Filling in this form does not commit you to joining our unit - it simply provides us with your contact information to help you start the process of enrolment.