Most of us have heard of Cadet programs, and may have a pretty strong idea of what Cadets do. Preparing for drills, orienteering, and general military training exercises, right? Well, yes – that’s what Army Cadets do. But there are dozens of Cadet organisations in Australia which aren’t military-affiliated, and they do a lot more than drill practice.
In the Australian Cadet Corps, for example, learning is one of the core activities for Cadets. And while we do drill practice, we also do sports, leadership activities, outdoor adventures, music, community service, and much more. So what do you learn at Cadets? In this article, we’re exploring education courses and opportunities for learning in the Australian Cadet Corps.
The Australian Cadet Corps is an organisation that provides education, mentorship, training, personal development, and community-based participation for youth aged 8 and up. Its aim is to develop community spirit, leadership and capability among the youth of Australia.
The Australian Cadet Corps maintains the customs, traditions and values of the military – the Navy, Air Force, and Army – but the focus and goal of all activities and exercises is personal development for every member.
To facilitate personal development, the ACC provides education in a range of subjects that are typically outside of the traditional school curriculum. The programs include: army, airforce, navy, maritime, police, fire and rescue, ambulance, SES, music, fitness and more.
Cadets can take educational programs of their choosing in any sector, which means greater choice, more learning opportunities, and programs closely aligned with their specific interests. In their chosen course, they will have a 30 to 60 minute lesson once per week when their cadet unit meets.
In the Australian Cadet Corps, cadets’ lessons are created and taught by a trained senior NCO or officer. Most courses consist of easy-to-understand, engaging PowerPoints and fun practical exercises.
Each course lasts for a full school term, and can build on the knowledge and skills gained in previous courses if the cadet chooses to focus on one sector throughout the year. For example, if the cadet chooses Aviation, their Term 1 course might be ‘Basic rules of flight’, followed by a Term 2 course on ‘Radio controls and communicating with Air Traffic Control’.
Courses conclude with an exam on the course content. Cadets who pass the exam earn a certificate of achievement and certain topics can be achieved in any order to obtain a badge worn on the uniform to show they’ve met the requirements of their course.
So what courses are available in the ACC now?
Here are some of the courses currently available to Cadets in the Australian Cadet Corps.
Interested in joining the Australian Cadet Corps? We’d love to hear from you. Find out more on our website or find out how to join here.
