What are the Requirements for joining?
The program is open to all qualifying young men and women ages 12 through 17 years of age. Youth must be drug free, crime free, and do well in school.
Parents can also get involved in either of two ways. First, become a family group member and assist with unit needs as they arise. The second option is to get involved as an Officer or instructor.
What do the Cadets do?
Military Cadets of the Fox Valley participate in numerous opportunities and experiences including: hands-on training, military science excursion, day long training events and more. From military science courses on night vision, the M-16 rifle, field training exercises, and helicopter orientation flights. The activities are exciting, adventurous and educational!
How does the program work?
Cadets usually meet twice a month for a "drill" meeting. Cadets wear both the military ACU's and dress uniform at these drills. Drills are usually conducted for a whole day or weekend, and include instructional courses, physical training or sports, social activities, and much more. The Cadets are given leadership opportunities where much of the program is run by the Cadets. Parents are also welcome to get involved .
What is the purpose of the program?
The purpose of the Cadet program is to provide youth with a real hands on military experience. Our goal is to help youth make a decision on their future career. It also provides youth with endless leadership opportunities and challenges. Cadets will learn not only new training, but they will also build self-esteem, self confidence, mental and physical discipline, team spirit, and responsibility. Solid American values and morals are built as Cadets become more mature through the program. Cadets are given the opportunity for self-paced advancement throughout.
What are the benefits of the program?
Cadets benefit in many ways. Should they choose a military career after high school, they will have already built a solid foundation of knowledge and expertise. Youth are presented with many opportunities for travel and training they might not otherwise have. In addition, there are scholarships, awards, special academy courses, with unit and national recognition.
Who works with the youth?
The Army Cadet Corps of the American Cadet Alliance is for those young men and women who are motivated to learn the values and traditions of the United States Army. The U.S. Army Cadet Corps is closely patterned after the United States Army.
Army Cadet units are commissioned as independent companies within a state-wide battalion. Each company is commanded by a non-paid professional officer of the USACC Officers' Corps. These non-paid professionals are carefully screened and commissioned through an approved process that includes criminal background checks, military screening, and required training courses.
Is the Cadet Corps part of the United States Government?
No. The Cadet Corps is an independent, Nationally Organized Youth Group (NOYG), closely patterned after the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Army, but not controlled or funded by the United States government. The Cadet Corps has been designated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The United States Military provides support through several means and recognizes the program as a valuable partner in building America's youth.
The Department of Defenses has published directives and instructions that direct the Armed Forces to support, to the extent as may be possible, Nationally Organized Youth Groups. Each branch of the Armed Forces and the Coast Guard are guided by these policies, and in turn, each has issued regulations which provide local Commanders with guidance and the necessary authority to provide such support. This support varies from service-to-service, and may include: shipboard cruises, orientation flights, training aids and manuals, permissive no-cost orders for active military personnel participating in cadet activities, and in most cases, facility utilization for training. This guidance and authority is published in the following:
- U.S. Navy in OPNAVINST 5760.5B
- U.S. Marine Corps in SECNAVINST 5720.44A
- U.S. Army in Army Regulations 360-61, 210-1, 28-19 and 725-1
- U.S. Air Force in AF Regulation 190-1, Public Affairs
- U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs Manual, COMDTINST M5728.2A
The Military Cadets of the Fox Valley is chartered by the American Cadet Alliance in cooperation with the Army National Guard, and Exploring.
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