Bangladesh National Cadet Corps

The Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) is a tri-services volunteer reserve defence force comprising the Army, Navy and Air Force wing for school, college and university students. It is the second line of defence headed by Bangladesh Army.

Students are trained by military staffs and personnel all through the cadet ship. BNCC remains high value on the public-military relationship in the society. BNCC cadets work together with Army, Navy, Air Force as well as Civil Defense authority in national integrity and emergencies.

History
After the establishment University of Dhaka (1921) the Corps initiated its activities under the provisions of the Indian Territorial Forces Act, 1923. Captain E. Groom was the first adjutant of the Corps. He imparted military training to 100 students and 16 teachers in November 1927. Later University Training Corps was officially founded in June 1928. In 1943, the name of the Corps was changed to University Officers Training Corps (UOTC). The members of this Corps took part in the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971. After independence, Bangladesh Cadet Corps comprising college students, and Junior Cadet Corps comprising junior students, were formed in addition to University Officers Training Corps. On 23 March 1979, University Officers Training Corps, Bangladesh Cadet Corps and Junior Cadet Corps were all merged by President Ziaur Rahman. The organization is tri service combined from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force. At present, its headquarters is located in Sector 6, Uttara, Dhaka. There are three categories of Cadets in BNCC and divided under two broad heads namely, Senior Division and Junior Division cadets. Senior division again has two categories of female and male cadets of various levels of academic qualifications. The Bangladesh Government Cabinet approved a proposal to bring BNCC under a legal framework and department. The proposal was titled Bangladesh National Cadet Corps Act-2015. The separate department would be under the Ministry of Defense. BNCC sent an delegation to India in a youth exchange program upon the invitation of the Indian Government and participated in Republic Day Camp 2009. The organization participates in Victory day parade.

Organization
Headed by a Director General, who is also a Brigadier General of Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh National Cadet Corps has three wings: Army Wing, Air Wing and Naval Wing. Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) is composed of 5 Army regiments (Army Wing), 3 Air Squadron (Air Force Wing) and 3 Naval Flotilla (Naval Wing).

The regiments are: 1. Ramna Regiment, Dhaka 2. Karnaphuli Regiment, Chattogram 3. Moinamati Regiment, Cumilla 4. Sundorbon Regiment, Khulna 5. Mohasthan Regiment, Rajshahi

The Air Squadrons are: 1. 56 Squadron 2. 57 Squadron 3. 58 Squadron.

The Flotillas are: 1.Dhaka Flotilla, 2.Chittagong Flotilla 3.Khulna Flotilla. There are two entry points for the students to join as cadets, i.e., School and College / University. The senior division ranges from students of Intermediate colleges and extends up to universities. The cadet life lasts for both males and females up to four years. The junior division consists of cadets from class seven.

Wing
BNCC has 3 wings. These are:


 * 1) Army Wing
 * 2) Naval Wing
 * 3) Air Wing

Regiment
There are 5 regiments under the Army Wing. These are:


 * 1) Ramna Regiment, Dhaka
 * 2) Karnaphuli Regiment, Chittagong
 * 3) Moinamati Regiment, Comilla
 * 4) Mohasthan Regiment, Rajshahi
 * 5) Sundarban Regiment, Khulna

Flotilla
There are 3 flotillas under the Navy Wing. These are:


 * 1) Dhaka Flotilla
 * 2) Chattogram Flotilla
 * 3) Khulna Flotilla

Squadron
There are 3 squadrons under the Air-Force Wing. These are:


 * 1) 56 BNCC Squadron, Dhaka.
 * 2) 57 BNCC Squadron, Chattogram.
 * 3) 58 BNCC Squadron, Jessore.

Training and activities
The Cadets receive military training. National Cadet Corps conducts its activities with the aim of providing military training to young people in order to develop them as a supporting force for military and providing a second line of defence. Its activities include basic military training.

Other activities
Besides receiving military and other types of training, the cadets are also involved in social work. The cadets have participated in activities such as:


 * 1) Tree Plantation
 * 2) Blood donation
 * 3) Assisting fire fighters
 * 4) Disaster relief operation including rehabilitation
 * 5) Relief distribution
 * 6) Assisting in first aid, hygiene and sanitation etc.
 * 7) Security/volunteer at events in their respective educational institutions
 * 8) Community service
 * 9) Youth Exchange Program