Australian Army Cadets
Australian Army Cadets 
At 0200 hours, eyelids are fighting to stay open, feet are numb and hands are frozen; meanwhile, the radio is waiting for us to make sure other groups/sections are okay. We are in peak winter season and the temperature is negative 8 degrees Celsius. At the Lithgow Army Base, this seems like torture for teens; for cadets, it’s a test of our endurance. This is an experience which isn’t achievable through school or other programmes, but only in Australian Army Cadets (AAC).
I joined this programme in Year 7, as a 12-year-old. As of now, it has been over one and a half years since I joined as a Recruit. Through my performance, I got my first promotion to becoming a Cadet, then a Lance Corporal and in July this year, I was promoted to a Corporal rank.
Army Cadets is an environment where young people aged 12 and a half-18 years old participate in Army-like activities and lessons to build upon the AAC values (Service, Respect, Courage, Integrity and Excellence). Some of the basic lessons individuals learn here and nowhere else, are being able to know how to navigate in the field with a compass and map, leading a section/platoon of cadets, shooting, problem-solving skills, discipline and other practical skills (e.g, marching) which are similar to the ADF.
Whilst learning to iron my own uniform and going on long stay camps in the bush (nine days) without any digital devices or contact with family has made me more independent, what I have learnt most is how to become a good leader and build relationships through teamwork and through sharing a common goal of wanting to progress in the programme.
The AAC lays out a variety of “cadet career” options, from capturing photos of drill to being a specialist at shooting.
After earning the rank of Corporal, I’ve had to make lessons (30-60 minutes) to teach the recruits and cadets, just like how teachers instruct us in school. This has helped me immensely in developing my public speaking skills and confidence.
Although everything I’ve said up to this point sounds great, remember that the AAC displays the values of the Australian Army. Discipline is a big part of AAC and it is at the core of developing the youth of our nation. It instills a sense of purpose in those who are part of this community and it has helped me in a big way to become a good Australian citizen.
Finally, not everyone who is part of the cadets is doing so because they wish to be part of the ADF when they are 18 years old. Some members will wish to pursue this aspect as a career, but regardless of your preferences, joining AAC will help you in building skills which you did not think you had.
- Michael D’Souza
