Australian Army Cadets | |
---|---|
Active | 1906–present |
Country | Australia |
Allegiance | Australian Army |
Role | Youth military organisation |
Part of | Australian Defence Force Cadets |
Motto(s) | Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity and Excellence |
Website | www |
Commanders | |
Commander | Brigadier Ben Slaughter |
National Assistant Commander | COL (AAC) Linda Galloway |
National Cadet Under Officer | NCUO Jack Paterson |
National Cadet Adjutant | CUO Josh Cronin |
National Cadet Training Officer | CUO Bruno Hickey |
National Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major | WO Evan Hookway |
The Australian Army Cadets (AAC) is the youth military program and organisation of the Australian Army, tasked with supporting participants to contribute to society, fostering interest in defence force careers, and developing support for the forces.[1] The program has more than 19,000 army cadets between the ages of 12 and 20 based in more than 200 units around Australia.[2] The values of the AAC are "Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity and Excellence".[3]
The cadet programme has strong links to the Australian Army and is a part of the Australian Defence Force Cadets. However, its members are not members of the Australian Defence Force by virtue only of their membership of the AAC. The AAC is a youth development program building resilience[clarification needed] in young Australians from all backgrounds.[citation needed]
Activities of the AAC include but are not limited to drill and ceremonial parade, abseiling, seamanship, navigation, field camping and first aid.[4]
The Australian Army Cadets are headquartered at the Russell Offices Military Complex in Canberra. There are also regional headquarters which are directly in charge of Army Cadet Brigades/Battalions.