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Vice Chief of the Defence Force

Cadet human resource management goes purple

By Gai Brodtmann

Navy, Army and Air Force Cadets recently introduced a unique set of human resource management strategies for Cadets and Cadet Staff that are innovative and flexible enough to be applied at the single Service and tri-Service level.

"These strategies are designed to further improve the way each Cadet organisation trains, develops and manages Cadets and Cadet Staff," says Head, Cadet Policy, Air Vice Marshal David Dunlop.

"The beauty of these strategies is that they have been developed from a single Service perspective, but can be adapted and applied across the Australian Defence Force Cadets [ADFC].

"In a way, each of the Cadet organisations has adopted a 'purple approach' to human resource management, which not only benefits the specific Service, but the ADFC as a whole.

"The new human resource management strategies underscore the fact that the ADFC is serious about creating a safe, fun and rewarding environment for Cadets and Cadet Staff."

Navy Cadets

  • has introduced a suite of materials to support 30 "action-based" learning activities for Cadets;
  • has developed a number of tools to support a mentoring program to help the Senior Officers amongst its Cadet Staff better integrate into the organisation and develop the skills they need to manage; and
  • is introducing a youth development and adolescent management guide for Cadet Staff. The guide will provide practical links between Directorate of Defence Force Cadets (DDFC) policies and their implementation at the Cadet Unit.

Army Cadets

  • has developed a Cadet Staff performance appraisal system. Training on the system began in July.

Air Force Cadets

  • with the DDFC, has developed an Alternative Dispute Resolution policy to help with conflict resolution at all levels. Eighty-six Air Force Cadet Staff have been trained in the process and a training package is currently being developed for senior Cadets. Over 2005-06, Navy and Army Cadet Staff will also receive ADR training.

Mainstreaming cadet support with Defence

Over the last three years, the Corporate Services and Infrastructure Group (CSIG) has worked with the Australian Defence Force Cadets (ADFC), through the Directorate of Defence Force Cadets (DDFC), to improve the accommodation available to Cadets.

In that time, the DDFC has spent $5 million to bring Cadet Unit accommodation into line with Occupational Health and Safety and Building Code of Australia requirements and standards. The accommodation gaps were identified in the 2002 Kelly Review, which highlighted the need to rectify issues around 21 'critical Cadet Units' and conform to relevant health and building standards.

"Now that the review issues and standards have been addressed, the DDFC is mainstreaming accommodation management. Ongoing maintenance and new facilities will be the responsibility of CSIG and the three ADFC organisations - Navy, Army and Air Force Cadets - in partnership with the community," says Head, Cadet Policy, Air Vice Marshal David Dunlop.

"That means the DDFC will focus on accommodation policy, not accommodation management, which is CSIG's core business."

A new principles-based policy outlining the revised arrangements for Cadet Unit accommodation will be released soon. The policy sets in concrete the relationship between the DDFC, CSIG and the three Cadet organisations.

In addition to accommodation, CSIG also provides garrison support to the ADFC. Along with CSIG, the DDFC is currently reviewing that support to gain a clearer understanding of the level of service provided to each of the Cadet organisations across Australia and develop a consistent, uniform and up to date approach to ADFC garrison management.

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