MLCSACU Update: A Big and Busy Term of Learning, Leadership and Service
It has been a big and busy term for the MLC School Army Cadet Unit, with cadets across all year groups taking part in a wide range of training, leadership development, service opportunities and new elective experiences.
This term, we were delighted to welcome 77 new recruits from Year 8 into the MLCSACU. Our newest cadets have made an excellent start to their Recruit Course, learning about the history and structure of the Australian Army Cadets, as well as developing foundational skills in field survival and fire. They have also begun their early lessons in drill and have been introduced to the standards and expectations for wearing the cadet uniform, ahead of being issued their uniform next term.
Our Cadet Band also continues to grow, with a number of new recruits joining this term. Band members have been learning to play their instruments while also developing the coordination and discipline required to march as part of the band.
Cadets in Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11, who are not currently undertaking a promotion course have participated in a brand-new elective program. This program has been designed to give cadets the opportunity to experience different pathways and specialist areas available within the cadet world. Across the term, cadets have built and driven robots in Robotics, developed practical first aid skills through the Medics elective, and explored Engineering by building and firing slingshots and constructing flag towers.
Other cadets have tested their creativity and communication skills in Media, where they created ‘how-to’ videos, designed merchandise and wrote newsletter articles. In Signals, cadets have learnt about radios and radio communication procedures, while the Q Store elective has given cadets an insight into the importance of equipment management, record keeping, stocktakes and the behind-the-scenes logistics that help the unit run effectively each week.
Our promotion courses have also continued at full pace, with Sergeant and Cadet Under Officer candidates completing their final preparations ahead of their assessment camp next weekend. Sergeant candidates have been honing their drill skills, learning about night locations, activity risk management, camouflage and observation posts. They also completed training in safe food handling, managing dietary requirements and using the BBQs, putting these skills into practice by cooking and serving a sausage sizzle for the unit.
Cadet Under Officer candidates have continued to develop their instructional and leadership skills by preparing and delivering lessons to one another. They have also been planning a Dining-In Night, participating in a hazard identification, risk and mitigation activity involving egg drops from heights, and learning about the use and function of command posts.
Beyond weekly training, cadets have continued to contribute meaningfully to the wider community. This term has included participation in the Sandakan Memorial Service, cadets volunteering to sell Legacy merchandise at Burwood and Strathfield stations, and support at a memorial service at the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway for Reginald James Chard OAM, Australia’s last surviving Kokoda campaign veteran. We are also proud to have five Year 10 cadets attending the Drone Racing Grade 1 Course this weekend at Holsworthy Army Barracks.
A very big thank you goes to all of the officers and staff who make these opportunities possible each week. As the MLCSACU continues to grow, we are excited to keep building a program that challenges, supports and inspires cadets to lead, serve and contribute with confidence.
– CAPT(AAC) Xavier Maling
Officer Commanding
MLCSACU
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