The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Binskin joined family and friends at a parade in Canberra this morning to formally welcome 309 Year One Midshipmen and Officer Cadets to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA).
"Your arrival on the parade ground symbolises the end of your initial military training and your entry into the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force."
As Australia prepares to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing, Air Chief Marshal Binskin reflected on members of the Australian Imperial Force who also began their military training in Canberra.
"Those Officer Cadets who graduated during World War I joined the ANZACs on the beach at Gallipoli; in the muddy trenches across the Western Front and the battlefields of Africa and the Middle East. They remind us of the values the ANZACs demonstrated which continue to shape our national character today."
Air Chief Marshal Binskin encouraged the Midshipmen and Officer Cadets on parade to embrace and uphold the ANZAC ideals.
"At all times, you are expected to uphold the standards and values Australians demand of their service men and women - but more importantly, you are the heirs of the ANZAC legacy, custodians of the trust built over years of service and sacrifice and with that trust comes significant personal responsibility," Air Chief Marshal Binskin said.
ADFA is a unique military institution which combines military education and training with study for an undergraduate degree. Next week the officer cadets and midshipmen will begin their academy program through the University of New South Wales Canberra.
Media note:
High resolution imagery is available at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/q4ocytvi69kgpaz/AADjpt6tp_NgFvS06-7BtcL7a?dl=0
Images will be available through the following link at a later time:
http://images.defence.gov.au/S20150468
Media contact:
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999
