ROLL CALL
A DAY IN THE LIFE
A vital link in the
Cadet Force chain
As the Representative Cadet Commandant, Colonel John Wilson
OBE hopes to smooth communications in the Army Cadet Force
In any big organisation, communication is key to
ensuring that all its staff work as a team. This is
never more true than in the ACF, which is why the
role of Representative Cadet Commandant is vital.
Without this essential position the voice and opinions
of those at detachment level may never be heard by the
policy makers. Whoever holds this position must have
in-depth knowledge of the ACF, which makes the new
incumbent, Colonel John Wilson, ideal for the job.
Col Wilson is something of an ACF expert having
been an adult volunteer for nearly 40 years. “I’ve
held the post of commander at detachment, area, and
county levels. I believe my 37 years in the ACF puts
me in a great position to do this job properly,” says
John, who’s been in the role since January 2009.
As the Representative Cadet Commandant, it’s his job
to liaise with the Commandants of each of the 57 county
groups and listen to their concerns about ACF policy.
“The policy makers at the MOD are often quite far
removed from what happens on the ground in the ACF,”
says John. “One of my biggest challenges is to make
sure they understand the implications of any changes
they make for the detachments at grass-roots level.”
And the County Commandants can have confidence
that their messages will be relayed. “Commandants
can talk to me and their views will be represented in
the corridors of power,” he says. But it’s not just oneway
traffic. He also assists in ensuring that relevant
information is disseminated to County Commandants.
“It’s about helping both parties appreciate each other,”
he says. Simply put, he helps the communication process
between County Commandants and HQ Land Forces.
The route to Representative Cadet Commandant
John is a
cadet in
Derbyshire ACF
32 ARMYCADET I SUMMER 2009
Becomes an
adult instructor in
Derbyshire ACF
Commissioned
as an officer and
appointed as a
Detachment
Commander
Appointed
Company
Training Officer
and Company
DofE Officer
1963-68 1971 1976 1985
The main forum for setting the policy for the ACF
is the Army Cadet Executive Group, where HQ Land
Forces, the RFCAs and the ACFA meet to bring all
aspects of the operation of the ACF together. It meets
three times a year but its members are in continuous
discussion about key ACF matters. Col Wilson also sits
on several other organisational boards, which ensures
he has a handle on all the Cadet Force issues of the day.
He’s a member of the Cadet Training Committee, the
Board of Governors at the Cadet Training Centre and
the ACFA Council, making him a link point between
“ Commandants can talk
to me and their views
will be represented in
the corridors of power”
all the governing bodies of the organisation. “I really
am in a strong position to advise all parties that make
up the infrastructure of the ACF,” he says. And this
pivotal role suits him down to the ground.
“I’m delighted to have been appointed to such a
central position and I’m going to relish it,” he says.
“More importantly, though, I think I can make a huge
contribution to the Cadet movement that I feel so
passionately about.”
County Commandants can contact Colonel John
Wilson at em-empsp@em.rfca.mod.uk
Becomes County
Training Officer
1991
Takes on the
role of Company
Commander
1996
Moves up to
become County
Commandant for
Derbyshire ACF
Awarded OBE
for 30 years of
commitment to
the ACF and for
his leadership of
ACF shooting
2001 2007
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