He said:
"Today the Cadet Forces number 131,000 young people led by 25,000 adult volunteers in well over 3,000 sites across the country. The cadet movement is an integral part of our national fabric.
"The experiences of our youth shape the kind of adult we become. I am always hugely impressed by the personal qualities of the soldiers, sailors and airmen I meet when visiting our Armed Forces around the country and abroad.
"These are also the qualities that the Cadet Forces teach, and they include courage and confidence, self-reliance and self-discipline, and leadership and teamwork, which can't always be taught in the classroom or at home."
Dawn Butler, Minister for Young Citizens and Youth Engagement, said:
"When people talk about youngsters being hoodies and being disruptive, that young people are selfish, they are wrong; and when they say Britain is broken, they are wrong, because these youngsters are building a better future.
"At recent remembrance parades it was cadets that lined the routes and held their heads with such pride. The veterans I know appreciate that greatly."
Both ministers also commented on a scheme to introduce cadet units in state schools, with Walker Technology College, Newcastle, one of six pilots going on across the country.
Pupils are currently working towards their Cadet Vocational Qualification Organisation BTEC qualification.
Mr Jones added:
"Units are now being trialled in schools, so we need to dispel any myths that Cadet Forces are a leach or that they are recruiting for the Armed Forces. What we do know is that cadets go into the Armed Forces in many different roles in adult life and value the new skills that they have learnt."
Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore Ian Stewart, said:
"2010 is a great year to be involved with the cadet movement. Cadet150 will be celebrated throughout the UK and I'm sure it will further enhance all of the positive things that the Cadet Forces do."
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