224 Army Cadet Unit
Australian Army Cadets | HMAS Harman
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Rising Through the Ranks: A Cadet’s Leadership Journey
Dive into the inspiring journey of a Cadet leader as they rise through the ranks, navigating challenges and embracing growth opportunities. Explore the path to national leadership and discover the secrets to success in Cadet leadership. Follow along as this story of dedication and perseverance unfolds, illuminating the path for future leaders in the Australian Army Cadets.
I began my Cadet journey in May 2019 when I joined my local Cadet unit, 223 Army Cadet Unit (ACU) Leeton. Although a currently small remote unit, 223 ACU was home to over 50 Cadets at the time, enabling me to quickly develop a basic skill set and passion for the program with accompanying mentorship from Senior Cadets within the unit. Later that year, I went on my first Adventure Field Exercise (AFX) where I got my first taste of a large-scale field exercise that further enriched my passion for the organisation.
The conclusion of 2019 gave rise to the COVID-19 pandemic, where Cadets consequently went into a low-tempo period, having parade nights through virtual means. As in-person parade nights re-commenced in 2021, I had my first promotion to Cadet Lance Corporal in May and later completed my Junior Leadership Course (JLC) in September of that year.
I was subsequently promoted to Cadet Corporal in March 2022. My time in section-level leadership and command positions gave me exposure to a variety of situations required to enrich my basic leadership characteristics. Having a direct interaction with a small group of Cadets additionally fostered a personal sense of purpose and encouraged me to strive to be the best Cadet I could for those within my section and unit.
The remainder of 2022 encompassed my completion of my Senior Leadership Course in July, with the subsequent promotion to Cadet Sergeant in August and taking on the position of Cadet Company Commander of 223 ACU. My first taste of this higher-order command position was the AFX held that year in Singleton Military Area.
I was fortunate to be a Platoon Commander with a great team of Cadet NCOs to support me. As challenges arose, I found this yet another opportunity to develop my character and ability as a Cadet to ensure I could offer the best experience for those around me whilst conducting myself in a manner that illuminates Defence’s core values.
2023 began by completing my Cadet Under Officer/ Warrant Officer Course (CWC) in January, where I was then promoted to Cadet Warrant Officer Class 2, sparking a new chapter of passion for the organisation and further enriching my skill set within Cadets.
By this time in my Cadet journey, I had been appointed as a Platoon Sergeant, Platoon Commander, and Company Sergeant Major at multiple Battalion level activities and had a strong network with peers; this I found fundamental to developing how you perceive and attack different situations whilst making friends.
In July 2023, I instructed my first Leadership And Instruction (LAI) course, choosing to instruct on the JLC. This was a rewarding experience that was full of new challenges that encouraged fast-paced learning, where I gained invaluable experience, both through instructing and from Senior Cadet mentors. Additionally, I was appointed as the Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major for the 24(AAC) Battalion during the course and promoted to Cadet Warrant Officer Class One.
The remainder of 2023 saw the conduct of a Battalion-level AFX, where my position in senior leadership and command of the exercise enabled me to exercise the skills I had acquired and developed over the years. I wasn’t short of mistakes; however, you can only learn from them.
In late 2023, I applied for the National Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major position and commenced the role in 2024 after a successful application. Currently, I have had the opportunity to instruct as the Course Sergeant Major for the NSW (AAC) 1st Brigade CWC and work with the National Cadet Leadership Group to enact our projected direction for 2024 and accompanying initiatives for the year.
Coming from a rural town and a small Cadet unit this is a position I thought unachievable, however, my takeaway from achieving this is that anyone with enough drive and passion for the organisation can attain senior leadership positions; it is simply about sticking to your passion and purpose. I look forward to the remainder of 2024 and what it holds, what impact I can make within the organisation, and how I can enrich the experience for Cadets.
