Two future leaders of the Timor-Leste Defence Force are undergoing officer training at the Royal Military College - Duntroon (RMC-D). 

Staff Cadets Maria De Santos and Timoteofilo Fernandes were selected for their English proficiency and performance.

The two cadets are embracing every challenge, from tackling Exercise Shaggy Ridge to developing and enhancing combat and leadership skills, all in pursuit of serving their nation. 

Tetum speaker Major Matthew Mandl has been mentoring them. 

“I discovered at the start of this year that the Timorese cadets were selected and accepted to come and train, so I reached out to mentor, give advice and support them when needed,” Major Mandl said. 

 “We are also building a mentoring program to support all the international cadets at RMC-D, with other ADF linguists who speak a variety of languages.”

Army’s future leaders undergo an intensive 12-month officer commissioning program at RMC-D before they graduate as lieutenants, including graduate members of international militaries. 

Officer training at Duntroon comprises three classes. New trainees commence as members of III Class and learn foundational military skills, physical training and basic soldiering techniques in their first four months. 

They are then presented with their lanyards and welcomed into the Corps of Staff Cadets after completing the Three Peaks Walk.

Then they progress to II Class, where they develop their leadership skills by learning to plan and command small military teams up to platoon size, while focusing on developing combat skills. 

Finally, I Class culminates in advanced training, preparing future officers to lead a platoon in complex operational environments.

For the Timorese cadets, this phase concludes with their commissioning as ‘alferes’ or second lieutenant in the Timor-Leste Defence Force.

 “I can’t wait to see them graduate as officers and return to Timor-Leste and lead their own soldiers,” Major Mandl said. 

Staff Cadet Santos has enjoyed learning about Canberra through visits to the Australian War Memorial and other sites. 

“I have made some lifelong friends on course and hope I can get a chance to serve alongside them if they ever visit Timor,” Staff Cadet Santos said.