DPR 24 /97 Friday, January 17, 1997

FOUR HUNDRED TO ENTER DEFENCE FORCE ACADEMY

More than 430 young men and women from throughout the country will march in to the Australian Defence Force Academy on Monday (Jan 20) to start careers that will see them become the defence leaders of the 21st century.

Monday's intake represents the biggest induction into the Academy, which trains officer cadets to tertiary level for the Army, Navy and Air Force, since it was established in Canberra in 1986.

They will spend their first day getting to know their way around campus, meeting their lecturers and instructors and learning what the next three or four years' academic and military training holds for them.

Because entry into the Academy is very competitive, the 430 represent some of the "best and brightest" in Australia. On top of meeting high academic requirements, they also had to pass stringent military selection boards to ensure they have what it takes to be officers in the Australian Defence Force.

The new officer cadets will study subjects ranging from chemistry, computer science and aerospace engineering to economics and management, oceanography and physics and history, English and politics.

NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS/CHIEFS OF STAFF

Your representatives are welcome to cover the cadets' arrival in buses about 1.15pm. The new cadets will wear civilian clothes and carry suitcases. Lieutenant Commander Ros Fletcher will meet be available to meet media at the Academy Roundabout from 1.10pm.

Captain Mark Tanzer Telephone: (06) 265 2930