Our future leaders rise to the challenge

Third year cadets from the Australian Defence Force Academy put their leadership skills to the test in Jervis Bay this week onboard the tall ship James Craig.

The Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), a military officer training establishment, prepares Midshipmen and Officer Cadets for the Navy, Army and Air Force. While studying for their undergraduate tertiary studies through the University of New South Wales, they also undertake training to develop the attributes, character and skills required to become an officer in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Commandant of the Australian Defence Force Academy Commodore Bruce Kafer said more than 200 cadets had been in Jervis Bay and Nowra for the past two weeks as part of Leadership Challenge Three, an exercise focused on developing their practical leadership experience in unfamiliar and arduous conditions. The exercise was conducted as a rotation between the Majura Field Training Area near Canberra and the Jervis Bay region.

“The trainees are expected to lead their teams through a variety of activities,” Commodore Kafer said.

“These include field training, rock climbing, escaping from a simulated helicopter crash into water at HMAS Albatross in Nowra, controlling the damage on a sinking ship simulator, surviving at sea, and physical training.”

Onboard the James Craig,  the ADFA trainees received initial training by the ship’s crew and under supervision were required to crew the ship day and night for a 72-hour voyage. Cadets said the most challenging part of the experience was climbing to the top of the masts to trim the sails, particularly at night.

“Leadership Challenge Three is demanding, requiring cadets to function as an effective team and to lead their peers under high stress situations with limited rest to prepare them for the challenges they may face in the future,” Commodore Kafer said.

“The Leadership Challenge exercise greatly assists in developing their leadership qualities and character as future leaders of the Australian Defence Force.”

Media Note:  High resolution images are available upon request.

Media Contact:  Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999