Area & Detachment Structure

Show cadets where their detachment sits, who performs the key roles, and how training, safety and administration are coordinated.

Duration40 minutes

Learning objectives

  • Place county, area and detachment in the correct relationship.
  • Describe the purpose of the Area Commander, Area Staff Officer, Area Training Officer, Area Sergeant Major and Cadet Administrative Assistant.
  • Describe the Detachment Commander, instructors, cadet NCOs and non-uniformed volunteers.
  • Map the generic structure to local names and terminology.

Stores & equipment

  • Local organisation chart
  • Role cards
  • Blank hierarchy mat
  • Staff photographs with consent or name cards
  • Sticky notes

Safety & assurance

  • Use only approved contact and staff information.
  • Do not publish personal contact details on handouts.
  • Explain that structures and titles vary; confirm local arrangements before delivery.
CFIT lesson planIntroduction 10% · Main body 80% · Conclusion 10%
Phase / timeInstructorCadet activityCheck
Introduction0–4 min

Ask: ‘Who makes tonight’s training possible?’ Capture roles from planning to stores.

Suggest people and tasks.

Recognises that delivery is a team effort.

The command levels4–10 min

Build county → area/company/battery/squadron/group → detachment/platoon/troop.

Assemble hierarchy mat.

Correct order and local terms.

Area HQ roles10–21 min

Introduce the five key roles through decisions they make, not rank memorisation.

Match task cards to roles.

Four of five matched with reason.

Detachment team21–30 min

Explain DC, instructors, NUVs and cadet NCO contributions, including safety and wellbeing.

Map local people to roles.

Distinguishes command, instruction and support.

Who would you ask?30–36 min

Give scenarios: missing kit, training query, welfare concern, event admin.

Choose a sensible first contact and explain escalation.

Routes are safe and locally correct.

Conclusion36–40 min

Rebuild structure from memory and preview county structure at 2-Star.

One-minute diagram challenge.

Hierarchy and roles retained.