Cadets from the Air Training Corp Band perform during the Inaugural National Conference of Australian Defence Force Cadets.

The Chief of the Defence Force, ADML Chris Barrie has welcomed the Australian Defence Force cadets 'back into the Defence Force'.

His welcome came when he addressed an honour guard of Army, Navy and Air Force, formed up in front of him at the SuperDome at Homebush for the inaugural National Conference of ADF Cadets.

Behind him sat 250 other cadets, their officers and parents.

Also present were Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence Ms Fran Bailey, the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, LTGEN Des Mueller, the Chief of Air Force, AIRMSHL Angus Houston, Systems Commander of the RAN, RADM Russ Crane and the commanding officer of cadets, MAJGEN Darryl Low Choy.

'You are near and dear to our hearts,' ADML Barrie said.

'We are very fortunate to have people like yourselves.

'Keep up the good work.'

The conference began with a march on by a tri-service cadet honour guard led by the Eastern Region Cadet Band (Army).

Making up the guard were sailor cadets from the training ships Nepean, Sydney, Sirius and Condamine.

They were joined by cadets from the Army cadet units 203 and 204 and Air Force cadets from 324 and 322 Squadrons.

The guard commanders were Cadet Under Officer Brendan Prentice from 324 Squadron and CUO Angela Hunt from Cadet Unit 203.

The guard was inspected by CDF and Ms Bailey who spent many minutes talking to the teenagers.

A series of drills were then carried out, led by the performance of 'Colours' by the Navy cadets.

This was followed by precision marching by an Army unit followed by an Air Force cadet drum band and an Air Force rifle drill team.

At the conclusion of the hour-long official launch, the cadets, their officers and VIPs moved to the Novotel Hotel for two days of presentations and workshops.

Ms Bailey attended both days hearing speakers expand on the conference's theme 'Challenging Youth for Tomorrow's World'.

Sixty-eight cadets joined officer delegates to discuss a range of topics including 'creating the team player', 'formal recognition of cadet leadership skills', 'recognising cultural diversity', 'building partnerships with local community and business', and 'pathways from cadets to Defence Force Recruit and community service'.