Publication:Sea Talk Summer 2003/Navy Cadets Ahoy
By CMDR Richard Wallach ANC,DNC
For senior cadets the rank of Midshipman is synonymous with opportunity and responsibility. To PN personnel the rank of Midshipman is a transitional rank indicating that a person is under training, training to be a Naval officer and of course the beginning of a new career or a new chapter in ones career.
Well in essence the same applies to the most senior cadets in the Australian Navy Cadets. Cadet Midshipman will have undergone a strenuous training programme at HMAS Creswell under the guidance of LCDR David Manilas RANR and LEUT Kath Ford RANR and will have been lead through an intensive programme of leadership-based training with an emphasis on:
- leading a small team
- planning and managing cadet activities
- divisional administration
- introduction to emergency response
- OOD ceremonial, wardroom etiquette & sword drill.
Whilst this may sound rather dry on paper, the opportunities emanating from this training are enormous. We must not forget that a fundamental tenet of youth development is the ability to put into practice the leadership skills that one has developed. Such an experience is both empowering and invigorating and in many ways climaxes the cadet experience.
When they return to their unit they will not be alone. Staff at the unit, area and national level ensure that they receive support as they settle into their new roles.
Cadet Officers are becoming known throughout the Australian Navy Cadets as vital members of the team, who have earned their position, and who significantly enrich the cadet experience for those who follow in their footsteps.
What better youth development opportunity can a young person have than to actively participate in their home unit's decision making at the highest level on one hand and then to stand out in front of the cadet body and lead face to face through a wide range of activities.
To further add to their ability to input into decision-making, the Captain of developing a Senior Cadet Council whereby the views of Cadet Midshipman can be canvassed and fed directly into the key decision making areas of training and operations.
And let us not forget who benefits from the activities of the Australian Navy Cadets. We all do, for it is well known that young people who have had a cadet background and who join the Services stay longer.
They are also people who are well connected with their community and who take with them throughout life an enhanced sense of integrity, honesty, loyalty and pride.
The Australian Navy Cadets provide for the spiritual, social and educational welfare of boys and girls and help to develop them in character, a sense of patriotism, selfreliance, citizenship and discipline.
Cadets are between the ages of 13 and 18 years and parades are normally held during a weekend day or on Friday evening. Instructional camps are arranged for Cadets and they are also given opportunities whenever possible, to undertake training at sea in ships of the RAN. Uniforms are supplied free of charge.
For more information on Navy Cadets visit the Navy League web site at navyleag.customer.netspace.net.au
