Defence

Vice Chief of the Defence Force

Cadet training review to deliver safe and fun experience

An exciting Cadet experience is a win–win for everyone.

One of the reasons young Australians join Australian Defence Force Cadets (ADFC) is to "do things you don't do in normal life".

While such experiences make for great stories to tell at school, a more interesting, military-like training experience also means cadets are more likely to stay in the ADFC and join the ADF and Defence or become future leaders in other fields. With this in mind, the Directorate of Defence Force Cadets is currently scoping a major review to reinvigorate ADFC training. The review is one of the first phases in a three-year Training Enhancement Project designed to:

• modernise the cadet curriculum;
• upgrade the curriculum delivery infrastructure;
• accredit the training to national standards; and
• introduce flexible e-learning opportunities.

The project stemmed from a Directorate of Strategic Personnel Planning and Research "attitudinal dip" study of the three cadet organisations. The study, which was released last year, consisted of a quantitative national survey of cadets and cadet staff, and qualitative information gathered through focus groups with cadets. It highlighted a number of training areas in need of improvement.

These areas included:

• greater access to more military-like and practical activities, particularly for junior cadets;
• better lesson planning to reduce repetition;
• improved induction programs, so they are more structured and inviting, particularly for junior cadets;
• more resources for instructors, equipment and cadet unit facilities;
• more tri-Service and inter-cadet organisation activities;
• more interaction with ADF personnel;
• more cadet staff training, particularly for Navy cadet staff; and
• larger cadet staff numbers to ensure sufficient instructors.

This review will address many of these areas. It is aimed at giving cadet staff and cadets alike a range of options for delivering high-quality training and instruction to cadets through a refreshed curriculum, modern resources and current strategies and techniques.

According to Head, Cadet Policy, Major General Mick Fairweather, the purpose of the Training Enhancement Project is to give cadets and cadet staff a fun, exciting, adventurous experience in a supportive and safe environment.

"The outcome of the project will be a program that will provide cadets with contemporary and meaningful training that encourages them to remain with their Cadet organisation for a longer period.

"If cadet interest is retained, and their training is delivered in a supportive and safe way, they are more likely to stay in the ADFC for longer and more likely to join the ADF and Defence, or become our leaders of the future. So it's win–win for everyone," he said.

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