Cadet Local & National Courses

As you become more experienced, you'll begin to take on extra responsibilities and have further opportunities to attend local and national cadet courses to develop your skills.

Depending on your Corps, you will have several courses available to you throughout your NZCF careers. These include both leadership (promotion) courses and specific skill training courses. Cadet Units also participate in regional and national skills competitions or regattas.

All the training activities conducted through the common training programme including weekly parade nights, camps, range shoots, and community events such as Anzac Day commemorations build a range of skills to help the cadets succeed at these courses.

Our Courses

Junior Non-Commissioned Officer (JNCO) Course

The JNCO Course is the first promotional course a cadet will complete on their leadership journey. To be eligible, cadets must have successfully finished the second year of the Training Syllabus. The course combines both theory and practical training, with assessments in drill instruction, squad handling, presentation techniques, and leadership skills. Successful completion is required for promotion to a Junior NCO rank and prepares cadets to take on their first formal leadership responsibilities.

Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) Course

The SNCO Course is the second promotional course in a cadet’s leadership journey. To attend, a cadet must have successfully completed the Junior NCO Course and finished the third year of the Training Syllabus. This course prepares cadets for promotion to the senior NCO ranks. While some classroom lessons are included, the focus is on practical assessments and evaluating a cadet’s ability to lead multiple squads, instruct drill, demonstrate leadership, and deliver effective theory lessons to a group. Successfully completing the SNCO Course is a key milestone in a cadet’s progression through the ranks.

Drone Operators Course

The Drone Operators Course is open to all cadets who have completed their first year of training. This three-day weekend course introduces cadets to the theory of drone operation, pre-flight procedures, and practical flying skills. Cadets learn about the technical aspects of drone use, including rules, regulations, and safety protocols, while also gaining hands-on experience flying and developing their drone piloting skills.

Cadet Fieldcraft Activity

The Cadet Fieldcraft Activity is open to all cadets who have qualified on the JNCO course. This is an outdoor adventure activity where you’ll learn key survival and leadership skills. From navigating bush tracks and staying safe around rivers, to mastering tramping techniques, outdoor cooking, weather awareness, and first aid, you’ll gain real-world skills in a real outdoor environment.

NZCF Shooting Coaches Course

The Shooting Coaches Course is open to both NZCF Officers and Senior NCOs. It provides the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to effectively coach cadets in marksmanship using the .22 Marlin rifle. Participants will learn best-practice coaching techniques and qualify as a range safety supervisor, enabling them to safely and confidently guide cadets in improving their shooting accuracy and consistency.

Cadet Coxswain Course

Exclusive to Navy Cadets, the Cadet Coxswain Course provides both theory and practical instruction in sailing skills, coxswain and crew responsibilities, and emergency procedures. To be eligible to attend this course a cadet must have successfully completed the JNCO course; have completed Yachting New Zealand’s Learn to Sail 1 and 2, be qualified on the Royal New Zealand Coast Guard Day Skippers Module, be medically fit and capable of completing the training and have logged six hours experience in various crew positions.

Navy Experience Course

The Navy Experience Course offers Navy Cadets a unique opportunity to explore life in the Royal New Zealand Navy. Designed for those considering a Navy career, the course introduces third year cadets to a variety of trades through engaging, hands-on activities. Cadets will experience theoretical and practical instruction in areas such as emergency equipment use, fire safety, and sea survival, and learning how to enter the water and board a life raft as a team. Cadets will visit different land and maritime components that make up our Navy.

National Gliding Course

The National Gliding Course is open to Air Cadets who are at least 15 years old, have completed the second year of the Training Syllabus, meet medical requirements, and are able to cover any applicable course flying fees. Cadets receive both theory and practical instruction aligned with the NZ Gliding Association “A” Certificate syllabus, including ground handling, effects of controls, turns and stalls, circuit procedures and circuit emergencies. As part of the course, cadets will have the opportunity to fly in gliders, and some may even progress to flying solo.

National Aviation Course (Navigation)

This course is available to Air Cadets who are at least 15 years old, have completed the second year of the Training Syllabus, meet the medical requirements, and are able to cover any applicable flying fees. Cadets receive both theory and practical instruction based on the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority’s Private Pilot Licence (PPL) Navigation syllabus, including speed, distance, and time calculations, navigation chart reading and plotting, and practical air navigation techniques. This course gives cadets a strong foundation in aviation navigation and a taste of real-world pilot training.

National Aviation Course (Power Flying)

The Power Flying course is available to Air Cadets who are at least 16 years old at the start of the course and under 20 years old at its completion. Cadets must have completed the second year of the Training Syllabus, demonstrate a genuine interest in aviation, meet medical requirements, and be able to cover any applicable flying fees. The course includes both theory and practical instruction aligned with the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority Ab-initio flight training syllabus, covering theory of flight, effects of controls, turns, climbs, and descents, stalls, circuit procedures and emergencies. Cadets will have the opportunity to fly in powered aircraft, and those who meet the CAA standards may even have the chance to fly solo.

RNZAF Flying Immersion Course

The RNZAF Flying Immersion Course is a programme held at RNZAF Base Ohakea, designed for Air Cadets aged 17–19 who have a strong interest in joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force as aircrew. To be eligible, cadets must have completed the National Aviation Course – Power Flying with high marks, have expressed a clear interest in joining the RNZAF, meet the required medical standards and be injury-free at the time of nomination. The course offers a unique opportunity to experience life as RNZAF aircrew. Cadets explore various RNZAF career paths, undergo training in ground school, and progress to simulator sessions where they can log initial flight time all while gaining valuable insight into Air Force operations and expectations.

Marksmanship Competitions

Cadet units have the opportunity to compete in a range of marksmanship competitions, with events held at both regional and national levels. These competitions are often corps-specific, and teams submit their scored targets for assessment, aiming to earn marksmanship badges for their performance. Units can also enter the prestigious Ffennell Competition, an international event open to cadet teams from Commonwealth countries, providing a chance to compete on a global stage and showcase their skills.

Navy Cadet Skills Competition (Regatta)

Navy Cadets put their training to the test through regatta competitions, beginning with team practice at their unit before entering the Regional Regatta. This event challenges teams in areas such as sailing, pulling, seamanship, drill, and ropework. The winning team from each region advances to the National Regatta, where the competition intensifies. Teams are tested at a higher level and are also challenged with activities they haven’t trained for which are designed to assess how well they adapt, problem-solve, and work together under pressure.

Army Cadet Skills Competition

Army Cadets train together at their unit before forming a team to compete in the Regional Army Cadet Skills Competition. This event tests their abilities in navigation, marksmanship, navigation, first aid, and fitness. The winning team from each region advances to the National Army Cadet Skills Competition, where the challenges are elevated. Cadets are not only tested on core skills at a higher level but also face surprise activities designed to evaluate how well they adapt, lead, and work together under unfamiliar conditions.

Air Cadet Skills Competition

Air Cadets train as a team at their unit before entering the Regional Air Cadet Skills Competition, where they compete against other units in challenges such as aviation studies, drill, teamwork tasks, marksmanship, and first aid. The winning team from each region progresses to the National Air Cadet Skills Competition, where the challenges are taken to the next level. Cadets are tested on advanced skills and face unexpected activities designed to assess how well they adapt, lead, and work together under pressure.