Australian Army Cadets The Australian Army Cadets ( AAC ) is a youth organisation that is involved with progressive training of youths in military and adventurous activities . The programme has more than 19 , 000 Army Cadets between the ages of 12½ and 19 based in 237 units around Australia . The motto is " " Courage , Initiative and Teamwork " " . 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 Australian Army Cadets . While cadets are encouraged to consider enlisting in the military , it is not required that they do so . Activities of the Army Cadets include navigation and orienteering , ceremonial drill , radio communication skills , basic bush skills , equipment maintenance , participation in cadet bands , and shooting the Australian Defence Force Service Rifle , the F88 Austeyr with one - on - one Army supervision . Background . The Australian Army Cadets is authorised under Section 62 of the " Defence Act 1903 " with lawful policies provided in the " Cadet Forces Regulations 1977 " . The Australian Army Cadets is a youth organisation that is modelled on the Australian Army . It differs from Scouts and other youth exploration groups as its main focus is that of learning and using military and leadership skills . The organisation boasts a nationwide reach with Cadet units in every state and territory in Australia . Youths who have reached the age of 12 years and 6 months are eligible to apply for enrolment into the AAC . Once enrolled , they may remain as a cadet until the day before they attain the age of twenty years . A cadet in the AAC is not considered to be a member of the Australian Defence Force , nor are cadets allowed to be a member of the Defence Force or , other than in approved exceptional circumstances , any other cadet service during their time as a cadet . Research studies have shown that cadets have performed better than non - cadets in Australian Defence Force Training , and 25 . 4 % of the Australian Defence Force has been in the Australian Defence Force Cadets . From 2001 to 2005 , cadets have made up 10 % of applications and 11 % of total Australian Defence Force enlistments . History . The King ' s School and Newington College vie for the honour of having the oldest Cadet Corps in Australia . An embryonic corps was founded by Newington College when a drill master was appointed to staff in 1865 . Two years later , a sergeant - major was appointed and muskets and carbines were purchased and an armoury and gunpowder store were opened at Newington College . The first official unit in Australia was established on 29 March 1866 at St Mark ' s Collegiate School by Reverend Macarthur . In June 1868 , The King ' s School had closed and did not reopen until January 1869 , when it was amalgamated with the St Mark ' s unit , the unit was renamed The King ' s School Cadets Corps . In 1869 , the Newington College Cadet Corps was formally incorporated by the Governor of New South Wales ( Somerset Lowry - Corry , 4th Earl Belmore ) and that unit is now believed to be the oldest continually running corps in Australia . With the establishment of many cadet units and corps at numerous boys schools throughout the Commonwealth , His Majesty King Edward VII established the Commonwealth Cadet Corps in Australia on 16 July 1906 . In 1910 , the universal training scheme was introduced , under the scheme all medically fit males 14 – 18 years of age had to serve in cadets . Boys who did not comply were charged and dealt with by the courts . Training cadets were divided into two groups . Senior cadets aged between 16 – 18 years of age were attached to Militia Units ( now known as Army Reserve Units ) , called Regimental Detachments , while students aged between 14 – 16 years of age remained as school cadets . Officers came from teaching staff and selected cadets were made " Cadet Lieutenants " . In 1939 , the outbreak of World War II caused the Regimental Detachments to be disbanded as staff were needed to train soldiers for overseas service . Some School Based Units closed down while some struggled on . By the end of World War II , Regimental Detachments had been re - raised . Between 1949 and 1975 , School Based Units were attached to Citizen Military Forces units . The CMF is the precursor of the modern day Australian Army Reserve . Regimental Units continued to exist . By 1951 , The Commonwealth Cadet Corps was renamed the Australian Cadet Corps ( ACC ) and on 2 June 1953 , The Duke of Edinburgh became the Colonel - in - Chief of the ACC , as a part of the coronation of his wife , Queen Elizabeth II . The Duke of Edinburgh presented his banner as a gift to the Corps on 2 May 1970 at Victoria Barracks , Sydney . At this time , there were 46 , 000 cadets in Australia . In 1975 , the ACC was disbanded by the Whitlam Labor government and was re - raised by the Fraser Liberal government on 1 October 1976 . By 1981 , the ACC had 20 , 650 cadets . As a result of the Beazley Defence review white paper in 1984 , full military support was withdrawn from school based cadet units , now classed as Limited Support Units ( LSU ) . Military support for LSUs was limited solely to the discretionary loan of equipment for Annual camps . Uniforms , transport , rations and personal equipment all had to be funded by the school , parents or community organisations such as the RSL . As a result , most government school based cadet units closed between 1984 and 1986 . Instead , full military support was provided to cadet units based at existing Army depots , now classified as Regional Cadet Units ( RCU ) . Some school based units in disadvantaged areas or located some distance from a military depot were given RCU status . Many RCUs attracted cadets from the nearby school based units recently closed down . In NSW , the first RCU formed was 20 RCU Ashfield , originally Punchbowl High School Cadets , and then based at the 2 Construction Group depot of RAE in Haberfield , Sydney in early 1984 . By 1998 , however all cadet units again received full support . During 1993 , the Australian Cadet Corps was renamed the Australian Army Cadet Corps . Many cadet units were now re - equipped with DPCU uniforms replacing the older green uniforms . In 2001 , the Australian Army Cadet Corps was renamed the Australian Army Cadets as part of major reforms brought about with the Topley review and during 2004 , the title of Regional Cadet Unit ( RCU ) was dropped in favour of Army Cadet Unit ( ACU ) . Governor - General Michael Jeffery presented a replacement banner on behalf of the Duke to commemorate the centenary of the cadets on 24 September 2005 , with the old Duke of Edinburgh Banner laid up at the Soldiers Chapel at Kapooka during the 2006 Chief of Army Cadet Team Challenge . The AAC celebrated its centenary since the establishment of the Commonwealth Cadet Corps on 16 July 2006 , as opposed to the centenaries of individual units , with the Victorian Brigade holding a large parade to mark the event . Structure . Cadet Policy Branch ( previously known as Directorate Defence Force Cadets ) , whilst not being part of the official command structure provide services in policy development , tri - service activity and other projects . Cadet Policy Branch was disbanded in 2009 . Ranks . Officer of Cadets ( OOC ) Rank . Whilst Officers of Cadets hold the same ranks as the Australian Army , OOC ' s do not hold any commission . Officer of Cadet Appointments . Army Cadet Units are under command of an Officer Commanding ( OC ) , usually of the rank Major or Captain . Some units are big enough to be commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel , appointed as the Commanding Officer ( CO ) . Newly appointed OOCs who are to command a cadet unit are often given a trial period . During this time rather than being referred to as a CO or OC they are termed an Administrative Commander ( Admin Comd ) . On successful completion of the agreed trial or probationary period and completion of the OOC Command Course their appointment is changed to CO or OC as the case warrants . < br > Other appointments that may be held by OOC / IOCs are Quartermaster , Adjutant , Administration Officer , Training Officer , Operations Officer , as well as various other appointments that exist at Battalion , Regional and National Headquarters . Training . Drill . Drill training encompasses all Army drill movements from Attention and Stand at Ease , to Forms on the March . Cadets also learn weapon drill , including Weapons Drill with Lee Enfield . 303 Rifle , L1A1 SLRs and F88 Austeyrs and Colour Drill . 303 and SLR drill is being phased out and is only taught at unit level , since the 1996 Firearms act . WO2 ' s and WO1 ' s , who hold the position of Company Sergeant Major or Regimental Sergeant Major , perform Cane and Pace Stick drill respectively . In the case of a Cadet Under Officer , Sword Drill is performed . Many units may also have a Drum Corps , Pipes and Drums or a Band . Drum / Pipe and Band Majors carry a Mace . Drill is taught as per the " Land Warfare Procedures - General [ LWP - G 7 - 7 - 5 ] Drill " manual , 2005 and the Australian Army " Ceremonial Manual " , 1999 , Volumes 1 & 2 . Fieldcraft . Cadets are taught all aspects of fieldcraft as appropriate to the Army , this includes ; Section Formations , Camouflage and Concealment , Field Signals , Moving by day and night . Cadets are also taught basic bushcraft . This also includes cadets having to erect their own individual shelter or hootchies . First Aid . Cadets complete a comprehensive course on first aid . They are taught how to treat injuries such as fractures , bites and stings and heat / cold related injuries such as heatstroke and frostbite . Cadets are taught to prevent , manage and treat injuries . They are taught how to call in a CASEVAC for emergency situations . Navigation . Cadets are taught navigational skills in line with the Australian Army ' s navigation training for all ranks . There is an emphasis on military equipment and maps . Consequently cadets are taught to use the standard issue service prismatic compass along with the lightweight compass , protractor and standard issue service topographical survey maps . Advanced training incorporates orienteering and rogaining . Cadets are also taught the use of a GPS as an aid to navigation , but are trained to not rely on it , as GPS has been shown to be unreliable . Radio Telecommunications ( Ratel ) . Cadets are taught Radio Telecommunications skills in accordance with the Australian Army ' s Ratel training . Cadets are taught the use of communications equipment such as the AN / PRC - 77 set ( a low band VHF set ) , or simple UHF Handheld radios , and the proper processes that apply to communications in the Army . Cadets are also taught the maintenance of their radio equipment . As of late , the RAVEN series of radios are becoming more common for use in cadets . Aviation . Cadets are able to do Aviation training such as ; Powered Flying , Groundcrew , Air Traffic Control , Engineering and Gliding . Cadets also do three theory subjects ; Aviation , Aircraft recognition and Air power . Training is officially conducted through 161 ACU ( Aviation ) however other ACUs have conducted AVN activities in the past . Leadership . See the section regarding Promotion Courses Marksmanship . Cadets are able to qualify for marksman on the . 22 Long Rifle and the F88 Austeyr . In the past , cadets have attended International Competitions . Promotion Courses . Whilst policy requires a cadet to complete a promotion course to attain the rank of CDTCPL , this policy is often interpreted flexibly , with some cadets being promoted up to and including the rank of CDTSSGT without having done the course , as promotions of CDT SSGT or below are decided at the individual unit OC ' s discretion . Promotion above CDTSSGT needs to be approved by the Regional Headquarters . Promotions courses are run by each Region for their own cadets and are generally planned by the Regional Headquarters . Permission may also be extended to Battalion Headquarters ( in large regions ) and individual ACU ' s ( usually school based ) to run courses , as needed , independently to that of the Regional run courses , where a Battalion / Unit will supply staff to run the course . To be qualified to obtain the rank of Cadet Lance Corporal or Cadet Corporal , a cadet must be deemed competent on the AAC Junior Leaders ' Course ( JLC , previously known as the Junior Non - commissioned Officers Course , JNCO Course ) . To be qualified for the rank of Cadet Sergeant a cadet must then pass the AAC Senior Leaders ' Course Module 1 ( SLC Mod 1 ) . This was previously known Senior Non - Commissioned Officer ' s Course ( SNCO Course ) , and is often today shortened to SLC . For any further promotion , a cadet must complete AAC Senior Leaders ' Course - Module 2 ( SLC Mod 2 ) , which is also known as the Cadet Under Officers ' and Cadet Warrant Officers ' Course ( CUO / CDTWO Course ) . To obtain a promotion above the of CDTWO2 and higher , a cadet must be over the age of 16 , however , in the past , this has not been strictly adhered to . Senior cadets ( Usually above the rank of CDTSGT ) can apply to be Assistant Directing Staff ( ADS ) on Promotion Courses who instruct groups of cadets on courses , depending on their rank , with NCO ' s below the rank of CDTSGT occasionally assisting as General Duties Staff ( GDS ) . The content of these courses is outlined by National Headquarters ( HQ AAC ) in the AAC ' s Training Management Packages ( TMP ) , with a common list of instruction and assessment applicable to each course . The courses are held in state as follows : Other Activities . Other activities that cadets often participate in are : Annual Field Exercise . The AAC conducts an Annual Field Exercise ( AFX ) once every year at regional level for a duration of 1 to 2 weeks . Levels of training for annual camps across Australia differ , but usually consists of three levels ( Tiers ) : In addition , many School Based Units run their own AFX , as they have the numbers to allow them to do so . By state their AFXs are : Uniforms and Equipment . The Australian Army Cadets ( AAC ) Maintains its standards of military dress in accordance with the newly released Australian Army Dress Manual . Subsequently , cadets are issued with both General Duty Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniforms ( DPCU ) and ceremonial orders of dress to ensure the cadet has a uniform for every occasion that may present itself . General Duty ( Barracks ) Dress . Upon enrolling in a cadet unit ( and in some cases after the completion of an internal unit Recruit Course ) , cadets are issued with a standard Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform ( DPCU ) similar to that of the Australian Regular Army ( ARA ) . This is the most commonly worn uniform in the Australian Army Cadets ( AAC ) and is worn whilst conducting any activity that does not require the wearing of a ceremonial uniform . Field Dress . On an exercise , camp or outdoor activity this dress is worn . Insignia . To differentiate members of the Australian Army Cadets ( AAC ) from serving members Australian Regular Army ( ARA ) , members of the AAC wear issued Royal Blue oval shaped patches on both shoulders . These patches identify the cadet as a member of the AAC , and may also provide an indication as to the cadet ' s home state or territory . As of 2010 , the AAC also adopted a new rank slide for those wearing the updated Near Infer Red ( NIR ) Camouflage uniform with NATO style chest rank slide , to further differentiate them from serving members of the ARA . In place of the black AUSTRALIA written at the bottom of standard issue ARA rank slides , the cadet rank slide employs a royal blue strip emblazoned with the words ARMY CADET in yellow . OOC and IOC rank slides have the acronym AAC in place of the words ARMY CADET . Ceremonial Uniform . If the occasion is appropriate , a cadet is entitled to wear one of two Ceremonial Uniforms . The standard ceremonial uniform for the Australian Army Cadets as of 2011 is the Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform ( DPCU ) Ceremonial Variant . This variant on the standard issue uniform of the Australian Army is unique to the Australian Army Cadets . Previously , the Ceremonial Polyester Uniform , synonymous with the Australian Army was only approved to be worn by Army Cadet Staff and senior appointed cadets , such as Regional or National Cadet Under Officers and Regimental Sergeant Majors . However as of March 2013 , Polyester Uniforms are being progressively re - introduced in most states for use by all cadets , and can be approved by any Regional Headquarters for use on appropriate occasions . ( e . g . Anzac Day , Remembrance Day ) . In addition , cadets qualified and holding the rank of Cadet Under Officer ( CUO ) wear a traditional military Sam Browne Belt in place of the Black Ceremonial Belt , and may also carry the 1897 pattern Infantry Sword whilst in ceremonial dress . A cadet qualified to and holding the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer Class One ( CDTWO1 ) , may also wear the traditional military Sam Browne Belt . A CDTWO1 holding the position of Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major ( CDTRSM ) at a Unit , Battalion , Brigade or National level is entitled to carry a Pace Stick . A CDTRSM may also carry an undrawn sword in white slung gear , when in ceremonial orders of dress . Equipment . In addition to being issued with a uniform , new cadets are often issued with an array of field equipment to assist cadets on field exercises . Awards and Commendations . Within the AAC , members ( both cadets and staff ) are eligible for Commendations for various achievements within the AAC . Commendations are given at Regional Commander AAC ( Bronze ) , Deputy Commander AAC ( Silver ) and Commander AAC ( Gold ) level . Commendations are awarded at the discretion of their respective representative , often on the basis of a recommendation ; However , some achievements warrant to the immediate presentation of a commendation . These are as follows : Note 1 : " Dux " is also often referred to as " Student Of Merit " Other Awards are Obsolete awards are : National Cadet Advisory Council . The National Cadet Advisory Council ( NCAC ) is the link between cadets and HQ , and consistes of the NATCUO , RCUOs , NAT CDTRSM and REG CDTRSMs . The NCAC has the power to influence changes to cadet policy and is the voice of cadets at HQ . The NCAC is chaired by the National CUO ; Anton Tkacz as of October 2012 cadets of all ranks and status are effectively involved in the ongoing management of the AAC .