Home to over 1125 cadets and 208 adult volunteers in 46 detachments including a Band and Corps of Drums, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Army Cadet Force came to visit Armourgeddon for an excursion on Saturday- and why not? Who wouldn’t want to come drive tanks for the afternoon! Isn’t that one of the main reasons for becoming an Army cadet?!

OK, so we know that’s not the main reason for joining, but it’s some perk, right? We were delighted to welcome 20 Cadets and 4 Adult Volunteers to Armourgeddon from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight ACF to visit the museum, learn to drive our collection of FV432 tanks around the dual tracks and enter into some target practice. We knew they would already be experts on the shooting range, so this target practice was in tanks, manoeuvring the cannons atop the FV432s into position and shooting paintballs at fixed targets out on the disused WWII bombing range we use as our tank track.

The Hampshire & IOW ACF run a variety of events and activities that take place from camps, sporting events, and training as well as talking about the charity and community aspect of the organisation.

In Hampshire there are 48 Detachments including a Band and Corp of Drums, in locations all over the county, from Fordingbridge to Hayling Island, Ventnor on the Isle of Wight and as far north as Farnborough.

• A Company has its headquarters at the Old NAAFI Building, Quetta Park MQ, Church Crookham. There are 9 detachments in North East Hampshire.
• B Company has its headquarters at Cosham TA Centre, Tudor Crescent just outside Portsmouth and covers South East Hampshire. There are 10 detachments in and around Portsmouth.
• C Company has 7 detachments all on the Isle of Wight. 
• X Company consists of 7 detachments in and around the New Forest and South West Hampshire.
• Y Company has its headquarters at Blighmont TA Centre in Southampton and covers the central Southern part of Hampshire and has 7 detachments.
• Z Company covers North West Hampshire and has its headquarters in Newburgh House, Winchester. There are 8 detachments. 

The County Band and Corps of Drums parade at Blighmont TA Centre. Wherever in Hampshire or the Isle of Wight you live there will be a detachment near you.

If you are over 18, you could consider joining as an adult instructor. Hampshire and Isle of Wight ACF are always looking for quality adult volunteers who wish to train as instructors. No military experience is needed, just a desire to work with young people and watch them go further in life.

The Army Cadet Force is a National Voluntary Youth Organisation. It is sponsored by the Army and provides challenging military, adventurous and community activities. Its aim is to inspire young people to achieve success in life with a spirit of service to the Queen, their country and their local community, and to develop in them the qualities required of a good citizen.

This aim is achieved by; providing progressive cadet training, often of a challenging and exciting nature, to foster confidence, self-reliance, initiative, loyalty, and a sense of service to other people. Encouraging the development of personal powers of practical leadership and the ability to work successfully as a member of a team. Stimulating an interest in the Army, its achievements, skills and values. Advising and preparing those considering a career in the Services or with the Reserve Forces. The motto of the Army Cadet Force is "Going Further". More information can be found by visiting Army Cadets.

If you are involved with an Army Cadet Force, or any other scouts, cadets or outdoor activity groups, please get in touch. We are available for activities through the school holidays and at other times from April to November.

Minimum group size is 20. For tank driving activities, the minimum age, for insurance reasons, is 14. However, with groups involving younger people, from 8-13 years of age, this activity can be exchanged for tank rides. Bolt on activities can include; archery and air rifle shooting.

For a tank driving or tank ride experience plus some in-tank target practice, and access to our expansive Military Museum, prices are from £45 per person. 

Call 01858 880239 or email events@armourgeddon.co.uk

Thank you for coming to visit, Hampshire and Isle of Wight ACF !