New Zealand Cadet Forces - Service Eligibility

Service Eligibility

Any person between the ages of 13 and 15 years may join the NZCF. The full consent of parents or guardians is required to apply, and while under the age of 18 parental consent is required for all training and exercises undertaken. A person younger than 13 may join if presently attending Year 9 at a New Zealand Secondary School.

Any person may join the Cadet Forces directly as a commissioned officer, but it is extremely rare for someone below the age of 20 to be commissioned, even with previous service.

Personnel may serve as a cadet or NCO until the age of 18, at which time they must commit to serving as an Under Officer/Master Cadet or Civilian Instructor, or leave the unit. Cadet Force officers may serve to any age after receiving a commission.

Units normally charge a membership fee to be paid annually, ranging from NZ$10 – $200 depending on the unit. Participating in unit exercises may incur extra charges, although any costs outside of government funding are often subsidised by sponsors.

NZCF personnel are not subject to the Armed Forces Discipline Act 1971, and hence cannot be deployed into active service.(See Legal Standing for more details)