Defence

Vice Chief of the Defence Force

Having their say

Senior cadets talking to the Chief of the Defence Force and Secretary at the Family Day.
Photo by Sandy Spiers

By Gai Brodtmann

Senior Navy, Army and Air Force cadets recently met at a tri-service forum in Canberra to have a say in the way in which the Australian Defence Force Cadets manages their activities and health and safety, and to hear about their importance to the Services and the community.

Over two days, the senior cadets had the opportunity to hear from, and speak to, the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF), Secretary, Chief of Navy, Chief of Army, Chief of Air Force and Director-General Defence Force Recruiting (DGDFR) about current operations, the value of cadets to the Defence organisation, and the findings of the recruitment workshops held earlier this year.

The highlight for the senior cadets was the opportunity to meet with the CDF, Secretary, Service Chiefs and DGDFR.

'The Chiefs and DGDFR made it clear that we play an important role in the Services, that we are "very, very important people" when it comes to recruitment and that we have their support. It was great to meet people in their positions,' said Cadet Warrant Officer Gabby Szekely.

'The forum showed that the Australian Defence Force is listening to us and trying to make more of our contribution,' said Midshipman Andrew Witt.

According to Cadet Under-Officer Beau Mobbs, the forum also provided a unique opportunity to meet with senior cadets from other cadet organisations.

'There isn't much contact between the three cadet organisations, which means there are lots of misunderstandings. The forum highlighted the different ways of doing things, and common themes,' he said.

'I'm interested in going to the Australian Defence Force Academy [ADFA], so I really enjoyed the dining-in night and the tour of the ADFA and Royal Military College.'

During the forum, the senior cadets also began to organise the CDF Tri-Service Cadet Challenge and provided support to the Defence Community Organisation Family Day.

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