More than 330 future Australian Defence Force (ADF) leaders have today been formally welcomed to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) at the annual Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Parade.
The latest group of Royal Australian Navy midshipmen, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force officer cadets were put through their paces on the ADFA Parade Ground, in front of the reviewing officer, the Chief of Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, AO, DSC.
General Campbell said the CDF Parade was an important milestone in the young careers of ADFA’s first year midshipmen and officer cadets.
“Today’s parade marks the culmination of the initial military training period for midshipmen and officer cadets which, over the last four weeks, has seen them undertake physical and adventure training, drill and ceremonial procedures, as well as weapons handling and military field craft,” General Campbell said.
“Over the next three years, the trainee officers will combine military training with university study that will give them the ethical, intellectual and physical skills needed to be outstanding future leaders of the ADF.
“ADFA is just the beginning of their journey, but the hard work they put in here will set them up for success, no matter where the future may take them.”
This year’s ADFA intake includes 19 international military personnel from 10 countries, who will train and study alongside their Australian counterparts.
The international trainee officer cohort includes representatives from Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, Thailand and Indonesia.
“The personal and professional relationships developed between Australian and international trainee officers at ADFA will benefit the ADF, our neighbours and allies for decades to come,” General Campbell said.
“The ability to work together with people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds is vital to the success of any mission, and ADFA instils that knowledge in its trainee officers from the very beginning.”
ADFA is a unique military institution which combines ongoing military education and training, with study for an undergraduate degree from the University of New South Wales Canberra, co-located at ADFA.
The midshipmen and officer cadets will commence their academic program with the University of New South Wales Canberra on Monday.
Imagery of the 2020 CDF Parade will be available at: https://images.defence.gov.au/S20200181
