RAAF members Under Officer Adam Penberthy and Senior Under Officer Gary Lyttle hold two of the most senior cadet positions at RMC, Duntroon.

For the first time in more than 70 years, a RAAF staff cadet has secured Royal Military College, Duntroon's prestigious honour - Battalion Sergeant Major.

Ground Defence Officer, Senior Under Officer Gary Lyttle has been awarded the coveted title - an achievement which surpassed even his own expectations. 'I was amazed when the announcement was made [in June],' Gary said. 'It is quite an honour considering the tradition the college has and the tradition the BSM has - it's a responsibility I can't take lightly.'

Meanwhile, fellow RAAFie, Under Officer Adam Penberthy, has had to come to terms with his own success, being named Company Sergeant Major, Long Tan Company. 'Like Gary, I was shocked,' he said. 'But I am looking forward to the added challenge.'

The men, two of only 15 RAAF cadets in the 320-strong cadet corps, hold two of the most senior cadet positions at RMC.

As BSM, Gary, who joined the RAAF in 1992, is responsible for the management of the entire corps body through close liaison with his four CSMs. He also conducts daily parades where he inspects the lines. In his role as CSM, Adam has command of the Long Tan Company comprising 85 cadets.

Selected based on their performance throughout the past 12 months at the College -leadership skills, academic and practical results all taken into account - Gary and Adam have admitted their new titles come with significant responsibility and, of course, hard work.

Yet despite the long hours and extra workload, they are certainly not complaining. The challenge is the very thing that lured them from their RAAF postings to RMC 12 months ago. And it's their goal, to be officers, which drives them.

'I decided to become a commander after serving in Timor in 1999,' Gary explained. 'And to become a commander in my mustering, in charge of 30 guys, RMC was the step I had to take.'

Adam, who entered the Air Force as an Air Field Defence Guard in 1992 before leaving the Service in 1996 and returning as a signals operator in 1998, said that like Gary, these 18 months at RMC would help him achieve his career goal. 'It's great to have some practical leadership experience here before trying it out on real troops in real situations.'

Both believe their time at RMC and in particular their leadership roles in this final phase of study, will be an invaluable learning experience.

'The course is a challenge and it has given me more confidence,' Adam admitted. 'It has matured me and given me the confidence to go out and lead 30 men and hopefully keep them out of trouble.'

After graduating in December, Gary will be posted back to Amberley as Flight Commander, while Adam hopes also to be posted to 2AFDG Amberley.

Story and photograph by Rebecca Bullivant