Cadets – 2026 AFX Reflection
The 2026 Annual Field Exercise at Eungai Creek was the best AFXs I have been on to date. This AFX was an experience that allowed me to gain hands-on training in navigational skills and transmission procedures. From the beginning, I felt excited because this was the first time platoons were separated by schools, allowing stronger connections and a greater sense of community. I was especially looking forward to the treks, as I hoped to put my navigational skills into practice.
At the beginning of AFX, we arrived at a campsite with particularly difficult terrain. This introduced me to a new strategy for setting up a hootchie by tying twine between two trees, which turned out to be much easier than using hootchie poles. One of my favourite moments was when my platoon, F31, completed an activity that involved army crawling up a hill to find pieces of a code while trying not to be spotted by our CUO, Rebecca. This activity taught me the importance of teamwork, communication, and tactical thinking.
Overall, AFX was a valuable and rewarding experience. It taught me real-life skills and helped improve my physical fitness. Looking back, I especially appreciated my platoon’s morale, and I will miss the nights spent around the campfire, the treks filled with songs, and the tough moments my platoon and I can now laugh about together. This AFX was an unforgettable experience, and I am eagerly looking forward to the next one.
– LCPL Hannah Hunter (Year 10)
My experience on AFX was extremely rewarding, exciting and testing. I developed my friendships with the girls in my platoon and worked on my trekking skills. Through the treks we went on, the pink and red patrol, I learnt that my endurance was higher than I thought. I was able to learn how to read a map and a compass through the help of my sergeant and CUO, which was a valuable skill I left camp with. I enjoyed the campfires each night, eating the food and connecting with my classmates who I might not have talked to before. The friendships I left cadet camp with were an important part of my experience. While on camp, I enjoyed improving my skills of setting up a hootchie and remember the nights of sleeping in them very fondly. Overall, my cadet camp experience was extremely valuable, and I left with many important skills.
– LCPL Sabine Rezainia (Year 10)
My AFX experience was honestly one of the most memorable things I’ve ever done. At the beginning, I was a bit scared because I didn’t really know what to expect, but that quickly changed as I got more comfortable with everyone. It turned out to be so much fun!
One of the best parts of the whole experience was the campfires at night. Sitting together, talking and just enjoying the moment made us all feel so connected. It was during those times that we really bonded as a group and got to know each other better.
The treks were definitely challenging, and there were moments where it felt really tough, but we all supported each other and kept going. No one was left behind, and we constantly encouraged one another, which made such a difference. It really showed how strong we were as a team. The songs we created really helped me get through and it got my mind off the walking.
Kayaking was another highlight as it was so fun being out on the water together. The same thing happened with the high ropes. A lot of people were scared, but we all cheered each other on and helped build each other’s confidence
Overall, AFX showed me the importance of teamwork, encouragement, and stepping outside of your comfort zone. It brought us all closer together, and I’ll always remember the experiences and friendships we made.
– CDT Audrey Lazar (Year 9)
Cadet camp (AFX) was an amazing experience, that gave me many memories I will treasure forever. Parts may have been challenging, such as long treks that required a lot of determination, but the support that people showed each other along the way made it all worthwhile. I loved seeing people who struggled have a smile on their face at the end of the day at the campfire singalongs and activities like high ropes, zipline, and kayaking. Overall, camp was a surreal and extremely fun opportunity to get to know new people and challenge my limits.
– CDT Caitlin Ward (Year 9)
Going on cadet camp at the end of last term was an amazing experience and one of the best camps I’ve ever been on. It was genuinely so much fun but also pushed all of us in ways we didn’t expect. Over the few days we were away, we took part in a mix of activities that tested our morale, courage, and outdoor skills, as well as tasks that required us to think quickly and work together.
What made the camp stand out was how much we learned without even realising it at the time. Every activity taught us something useful, whether it was leadership, communication, problem‑solving, or just staying calm and working together when things got tough. Some parts were challenging, like the treks and the valley crossings, which forced us out of our comfort zones not just as individuals but as a platoon. But that made the whole experience more rewarding. We got to see what we were capable of, and it brought everyone closer as a group.
There were plenty of moments where we were tired, muddy, or trying to figure out what to do next, but we still had a lot of laughs and made so many unforgettable memories. Overall, the cadet camp was a great experience and something I’d happily do again.
– LCPL Grace Likely (Year 10)
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