224 Army Cadet Unit
Australian Army Cadets | HMAS Harman
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Shakeout: 224 and 241 Army Cadet Units Get Ready For AFX 2024
224 and 241 Army Cadet Units recently hosted their first AFX Shakeout, giving cadets the opportunity to hone essential field skills and providing parents with an inside look at life during an Annual Field Exercise.
Last weekend, 224 and 241 Army Cadet Units teamed up for an Annual Field Exercise (AFX) Shakeout, a practical field demonstration that provided cadets the opportunity to refine their skills in real-time while giving parents and carers an inside look at what cadets will experience during the AFX. This inaugural event was designed not only to hone essential fieldcraft skills but also to showcase what cadet life during an AFX entails.
The Shakeout commenced with cadets arriving in the morning and immediately setting to work on setting up their hootchies—an important task to master for creating effective shelter in the field. Once shelters were established, the cadets participated in a navigation and RATEL (radio telecommunications) exercise, practicing their ability to communicate clearly and navigate through the terrain with compasses and maps.
Midday saw cadets transitioning to a field cooking demonstration, where they practiced preparing meals and received a brief on using the cadet ration packs, illustrating the practical skills required to maintain nutrition in the field. Following lunch, cadets took part in a first aid session focused on stretcher-carry techniques, ensuring they were well-equipped to manage medical emergencies in challenging environments.
In the afternoon, parents and carers were invited to observe the cadets in action. The visit included a briefing from staff that outlined the objectives of the AFX Shakeout and the skills cadets are expected to develop. This was followed by a Q&A session, where parents were able to ask questions and engage in discussions about the benefits of the cadet program.
Feedback from the day was extremely positive, with parents impressed by the cadets’ professionalism, skills, and dedication. The collaboration between 224 and 241 Army Cadet Units for this Shakeout demonstrated the effectiveness of hands-on training in building resilience and leadership in cadets, while also fostering stronger ties with the community.
