The Army Cadet Force Association is dedicated to promoting the ideals and activities of the Army Cadet Force (ACF). In providing educational, adventurous, competitive and social activities, the Association's key priorities are:

	Assisting in cadets' citizenship development;
	Promoting cadets' powers of leadership and qualities of character;
	Reinforcing the ACF's motto 'To Inspire to Achieve'; and
	Fostering the welfare and recreational life of the ACF.

Important ACF programmes such as Sports and First Aid Training are managed by the Association and are designed to improve the overall health and fitness of cadets, while activities such as Music and Competitive Target Shooting help cultivate new skills and talents. By coordinating valuable initiatives including links to a BTEC Vocational Qualification programme and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, the Association ensures that cadets from all walks of life are able to achieve recognition for their efforts. Through the ACF's Youth and Community project known as Outreach, the Association enables participating Army Cadet Forces to add considerable value to their own communities through a programme of achievement based around typical cadet activities. The activities are delivered by cadet force adult volunteers to children, aged 12 to 14, considered by schools, police and other local bodies to be at risk.

The functions exercised by the Association, with the approval of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the other authorities concerned, are to:

	Act as advisers to the MOD and other authorities on ACF matters in general
	Assist in the development of training suitable for cadets
	Foster the welfare and recreational life of the ACF
	Represent the ACF in matters not within the province of the MOD, such as dealing with Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) on youth service affairs, and representing the ACF on the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services and other NGO's
	Provide guidance on the spiritual aspects of ACF training
	Frame the policy on citizenship training to be carried out by the ACF
	Organise and administer national sport for the ACF through the Sports Board
	Be an Operating Authority for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award in the ACF
	Coordinate First Aid training and serve as a St John Ambulance Special Centre to enable First Aid Training to be carried out in accordance with the Army Proficiency Certificate training syllabus
	Provide the management and musical expertise to develop music for young people at County and National level
	Facilitate the sport of target rifle shooting leading to participation in International events
	Foster association with Cadet Forces of the Commonwealth countries
	Publish the Army Cadet Magazine, Annual Report and other non-official publications in the interest of the ACF
	Provide "regimental" services to the ACF in the manner of all corps and regimental associations
	Operate a Personal Accident, Travel and Legal Help Insurance Scheme covering the needs of the both adults and cadets of the ACF outside the MOD liability.