Australian Army Cadets
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The Australian Army Cadets (AAC) is a youth organisation that is involved with progressive training of youths in military and adventurous activities. The programme has more than 16,000 Army Cadets between the ages of 13 and 20 based in 232 units around Australia.
The cadet programme has stong links to the Australian Army but it is not incorporated in the Australian Defence Force. While cadets are encouraged to consider enlisting in the military, it is not expected or required that they do so..
Activities of the Army Cadets include canoeing; orienteering; ceremonial drills; communication skills; basic bush skills; equipment maintenance; and, cadet bands. Basic use of firearms was abolished when the AAC was moved over as a community project in 1976. Cadets are still permitted to use firearms on a military range under the supervision of an instructor.
Background
The AAC is authorised under Section 62 of the Defence Act 1903. The Australian Army Cadets (AAC) is an equal opportunity organisation that does not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, gender or religion. The AAC has a no drugs policy and is committed to a zero tolerance of sexual and other forms of harassment. Adult personnel who have attained the appropriate age and who satisfy prescribed criteria, may apply to join the adult staff of the AAC. Adult staff members will be offered initial and follow-on training to enable them to perform the duties of their appointment. Adult staff will also receive payment at the prescribed rate. An adult staff member appointed as an Officer or Instructor of Cadets in the AAC is not, by virtue of that appointment, a member of the Australian Defence Force.
Youth who are 12 years and 6 months of age are eligible to apply for enrolment into the AAC. Once enrolled, they may remain as a cadet until the end of the year in which they attain 18 years of age, or in special circumstances, until attaining 20 years of age. A cadet in the AAC is not a member of the Australian Defence Force.
Aims
The aim of military training within the AAC is:
- to develop an interest in the Army and its traditions;
- to encourage cadets to continue military or community service;
- to give cadets a foundation of military knowledge and discipline;
- to develop the qualities of leadership, self-discipline, self-reliance and initiative; and
- to provide training that may contribute to Army common induction training.
History
The Australian Army Cadets have a rich history that outdates even that of the Australian Army. The first unit was established in Australia in 1866, at St Mark's Collegiate School, NSW. This unit subsequently became the King's School, Sydney Cadet Corps in 1869 but it is not the oldest continually running. The Newington College Cadet Unit has this honour.
With the establishment of many cadet units and corps at numerous boys schools throughout the Commonwealth, His Majesty King Edward VII established the Commonwealth Cadet Corps in Australia on the 16 July 1906.
On the 2 May 1970, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh presented presented his banner as a gift to the Corps following his appointment as Colonel-in-Chief of the Australian Cadet Corps in 1963. The presentation took place at Victoria Barracks, Sydney.
On the 24 September 2005, Governor-General Michael Jeffery presented a replacement banner on behalf of the Duke to commemorate the centenary of the cadets.
The AAC celebrates its centenary on the 16 July 2006 (marked as a centenary since the establishment of the Commonwealth Cadet Corps, as opposed to the centenaries of individual units, many of which have already occurred).
Since its establishment, the corps has experienced three name changes, firstly to the Australian Cadet Corps (ACC), then the Australian Army Cadet Corps, and finally, in 2001 to its present title, the Australian Army Cadets.
In 2001 the ADF approved the title of Australian Army Cadets with the short title of AAC, The Corps title was dropped so that they would not be linked with the Australian Army.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Banner
As mentioned above, the Duke of Edinburgh's Banner was presented to the Australian Cadet Corps by Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh on the 2 May 1970 (the organisation being some 46,000 cadets strong at the time). This banner has been carried with pride on many a subsequent parade of significance in the AAC. As stipulated in the Australian Army Cadets Policy Manual (2004):
- Carriage of the Banner
- *2.09 The Duke of Edinburgh's Banner may only be carried on:
- **a. parades and Guards of Honour which are representative of the AAC as a whole or in a AAC BDE/BN, or
- **b. special occasions as described below.
- *2.10 Approval will normally be given for the Banner to be carried on the following special occasions:
- **a. royal visits,
- **b. ceremonial parades which are reviewed by the Colonel-in-Chief of the AAC,
- **c. ceremonial parades attended by a Vice-Regal personage when the occasion is such that it would be appropriate to parade the Banner, and
- **d. on occasions of significance to the AAC.
On the 24 September 2005, the Governor-General, Major General Michael Jeffery, presented a replacement banner to the AAC on the behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh. The Governor-General was received on-parade by some 250 cadets from units across the nation, representing the 16,000 members of the Australian Army Cadets as a whole.
Structure
- Headquarters of the Australian Army, including the Directorate of Defence Force Cadets.
- Australian Army Cadet Headquarters (AAC HQ).
- Brigade Command for Each Region. HQ NSW AAC BDE (including ACT), HQ VIC AAC BDE, HQ NQLD AAC BDE, HQ SQLD AAC BDE, HQ TAS AAC BN, HQ NT AAC BN, HQ WA AAC BDE, HQ SA AAC BDE.
- Cadet Units, under command of their Brigade Headquarters.
The Rank Structure
The rank structure & titles are identical to those of The Australian Army, with the exclusion of the rank of Cadet Under Officer. Cadets are able to experience numerous ranks and appointments as they progress. As well as Instructors of Cadets (IOC's) who are Australian Regular Army (ARA) or Army Reserve (ARes) Staff, who assist cadet units with Training, Management and Logistics. Officers of Cadets can be former members of the Australian Defence Force, school teachers and volunteers from the greater community. OOC's manage cadet units and can progress through to higher positions in Battalion, Brigade and National Headquarters. In cadet ranks the CDT prefix, and for the same reason with IOC's and OOC's the bracketed AAC, which is a way of identifying the members as part of the AAC and not part of parent organisation, The Australian Army. This due to cases where by Misconception they are seen as being so.
School Based Cadet Units
While they are very similar there are some differences between school based & community Based Cadet Units. The development of community based units occurred during the Whitlam government, then the cadet funding was abolished. While the units at independent (private schools), weren't affected, many units based at government schools were forced to close and few survive to this day. To overcome this problem, some staff and former cadets were able to establish cadet units with the support of the local community or Army unit (using their facilities to conduct training) - hence the term 'community based unit' or regional cadet unit (RCU).Ranks
Cadets
- Cadet Recruit (CDTREC) - Cadets begin their experience where they are allocated to a section which consists of their section commander, a section second-in-command and up to 8 fellow recruits/cadets.
- Cadet (CDT) - At completion of recruit training, may take on other roles such as logistics after completion of their first year or stay in a section, sometimes appointed as section second-in-command.
- Cadet Lance Corporal (CDTLCPL) - Most commonly a section second-in-command, a variety of other appointments exist eg, logistics.
- Cadet Corporal (CDTCPL) - Most commonly a section commander, again a diverse variety of appointments exists.
- Cadet Sergeant (CDTSGT) - Position known as a platoon sergeant or training sergeant, other positions exist.
- Cadet Staff Sergeant (CDTSSGT) - Positions can vary. Most commonly a CQMS or Company Quartermaster Sergeant. Other positions in special cases include the Company Sergeant Major or CSM and Platoon Commanders.
- Cadet Warrant Officer Class Two (CDTWO2) - Position is generally the Company Sergeant Major. Another existing appointment is the Training Warrant Officer.
- Cadet Warrant Officer Class One (CDTWO1) - Position exists in the AAC for Regimental Sergeant Majors. RSMs are appointed in each brigade and in the case of SBU's or School Based Units, an RSM may be appointed with the CDTWO1 rank due to large numbers. Brigade or Regional RSMs may apply and possibly receive the position of National Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major, bearing an insignia similar to the RSM-A or Reginmental Sergeant Major of the Army - encircled in a blue wreath so as to distinguish the difference.
- Cadet Under Officer (CUO)- Cadet Under Officer exists to give the most senior cadets in a unit the chance to act in the role of an officer without receiving a commission. The insignia consists of a large diamond, constituting 28 1/2 chevrons, known as a lozenge. CUOs are generally Platoon Commanders and more senior CUO's are Company Commanders and Company Second-In-Command's . Headquarter positions exist both at brigade and national level, with each brigade having a Cadet Adjutant who bears the lozenge with blue in the center. At National Headquarters level, the CUO is appointed as a National Cadet Adjutant. They bear a lozenge with a red centre.
Instructor of Cadets (IOC) Rank
- Corporal [CPL(AAC)]
- Sergeant [SGT(AAC)]
- Staff Sergeant [SSGT(AAC)]
- Warrant Officer Class Two [WO2(AAC)]
- Warrant Officer Class One [WO1(AAC)]
Officer of Cadets (OOC) Rank
- Second Lieutenant [2LT(AAC)] - A diverse variety of positions exist.
- Lieutenant [LT(AAC)] - A diverse variety of positions exist. Sometimes a 2IC or OC of a smaller cadet unit.
- Captain [CAPT(AAC)] - An OC of a Cadet Unit or 2IC of a larger cadet unit.
- Major [MAJ(AAC)] - An OC of a larger cadet unit. Headquarters positions exist, eg. Battalion 2IC, Training Officer.
- Lieutenant Colonel [LTCOL(AAC)] - Position exists for the Senior Cadet Officer (SCO), the most senior OOC in a Brigade, however, this rank may be held by OOCs in different unit and headquarters appointments.
- Colonel [COL(AAC)] - There is only one appointment in the AAC that warrants the rank of COL(AAC), the Assisstant Commander of the AAC. The ASSTCOMD is the most senior OOC in the AAC. The position is currently held by COL(AAC) Bob Peterson.
Promotions Courses
To receive a promotion above the rank of Cadet in the Australian Army Cadets, cadets must complete promotion courses. Promotions courses are run by each Brigade for their own cadets and are planned by Brigade Headquarters. To obtain the rank of Cadet Lance Corporal or Corporal, a cadet must be deemed competent on the AAC Junior Leaders' Course (JLC), or Corporals Course. To be promoted to Cadet Sergeant or Cadet Staff Sergeant, a cadet must then pass the AAC Senior Leaders Course - Module 1 (SLC Mod 1), or Sergeants' Course. For any further promotion, a cadet must complete AAC Senior Leaders' Course - Module 2 (SLC Mod 2). In some brigades further divide SLC Mod 2 to give a Warrant Officers' Course and a Cadet Under Officers' Course.
In Victoria the promotion courses are held at Puckapunyal. They were not held between 2004 and 2005 because of the removal of asbestos that was going on then.
The content of these courses is outlined by National Headquarters (HQ AAC) in the AAC's Training Management Package (TMP), with a common list of instruction and assessment applicable to each course.
See also
External links
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