Cadets compete for national award

Ninety-six Australian Army Cadets and 10 Australian Air Force Cadets from units across Australia completed their Adventure Training Award (ATA) at Majura Military Training Area near Canberra, on 17 April.

The ATA tested the teenage cadets on navigation, field engineering and survival skills, their physical and mental endurance, and teamwork abilities, initiative and leadership. Most of the cadets that participated in the ATA had spent several years in the Army Cadets or Air Force Cadets learning the skills they would use throughout the week.

The 106 successful cadets were presented with their Adventure Training Award badge by Major General Angus Campbell, Deputy Chief of Army. His speech captured the hearts of these future leaders.

“These are awards well earned, the result of a challenging week and an enjoyable time,” Major General Campbell told the cadets. 

“Wherever you go in life, reflect on the sense of pride in yourselves and your team that you have earned this week. Keep in mind throughout your life that whenever you encounter challenge, you must strive to overcome it; that is how you will achieve what you want in life, and wear the ATA [badge] with pride,” he said.

Major General Campbell’s parting words to the cadets were that “Australia needs its young people doing marvelous things in their lives”.

The Australian Army Cadets is a youth development organisation with the character and values of the Australian Army, founded on a strong community partnership, fostering and supporting an ongoing interest in the Australian Army. The organisation is designed to benefit the nation by developing the individual, their community and the Australian Defence Force.

The Chief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison, spent time with the cadets during the activity, and described the Australian Army Cadets as “a wonderful institution which gives young Australians opportunities that they wouldn’t otherwise get”.

Media Note:  Participating cadets are available for interview. Please contact Defence Media Operations on 02 6127 1999 to request an interview and access to images of cadets. A gallery of selected images of the Adventure Training Award is available at:

http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003=&search=11122701