Cadet Forces Day plan backed by council

Anthony Harrison hopes to launch a Cadet Forces Day in time for Armed Forces Week 2026

A campaign for a nationally-recognised Cadet Forces Day, as part of Armed Forces Week, has gained momentum after getting support from a local authority in Cheshire.

Councillor Anthony Harrison, Cheshire East Council's armed forces champion, took a motion to full council on Wednesday calling for the government to back the proposal.

There is currently a dedicated Reserves Day on the Wednesday of Armed Forces Week each June, while the Friday is dedicated as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day.

Cadet forces are voluntary youth organisations, sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, that work on developing young people's leadership and teamwork skills.

Since taking up the position of armed forces champion Harrison said he had worked on several projects to increase support for the borough and wider armed forces community.

'Fantastic opportunities'

He said he had also lobbied central government to introduce a national recognition day for cadet forces – to be allocated to the Tuesday of Armed Forces Week – and had been in discussion with armed forces minister Luke Pollard about the plans.

"I was a cadet at the age of 13, and I grew up in a council house not really from an affluent background," Harrison said.

"I joined 391 Air Cadet Squadron in Wilmslow, and it just provided so many fantastic opportunities for me and really kept me focused when I went on to do further education."

He said his own positive experiences made him want to come up with a way of giving recognition to cadet organisations.

"The cadets have a lot of pride in what they do, and I think it will be fantastic if we can give them a sense of belonging and a sense of achievement if they are a part of Armed Forces Week with their own committed day," he said.

He added it would also help with the government's aim to increase cadet forces by 30% and engagement with schools.

Cadet Forces Day could involve things like school assemblies, cadets wearing their uniforms at school as well as open days and special parades.

The aim is for the first day to be organised in time for Armed Forces Week 2026.