They provide an essential link between the armed forces and the local community, assist with recruiting within the cadet forces and assist the county's Reserve Forces and Cadets Association.[2] The cadet from each arm of the cadet forces is selected and appointed based on their outreach and participation within their squadron, detachment or unit, and is seen as one of the highest achievements in the Cadet Forces.
The Lord-Lieutenant's Cadets from the administrative county of Greater London (as of 1965)[citation needed] are appointed from one of the four "quadrants" of London. The locally elected cadets are then decided on, separately, rather than county-wide, like the other counties of the United Kingdom. The current Lord Lieutenant's Cadets of Greater London assumed position on 11 May 2023 and will hold their position until 11 May 2024.
Candidates for the position of Lord-Lieutenant's Cadet for Merseyside are nominated from the Sea Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force and Royal Air Force Air Cadets as part of the same process to identify nominations for the Lord-Lieutenant's awards that year.[3] Candidates are sifted by the Board of NW RFCA (The Reserve Forces’ & Cadets’ Association for the North West of England & the Isle of Man) and shortlisted individuals are interviewed by the Lord-Lieutenant. The appointment is ratified in early summer with the successful individual(s) taking post in September.
Lord-Lieutenant's Cadets of Rutland are nominated by their local units and appointed by the Lord-Lieutenant in an Investiture Ceremony usually around early October every year. The current Lord-Lieutenant's Cadets assumed position on 12 October 2023 and will hold their position until 12 October 2024.