Cadet training to navigate life

Published 12:00pm 14 February 2022

Words by Kylie Knight

The skills young people develop through Australian Navy Cadets set them up for life no matter what career path they choose, according to TS Moreton Bay Australian Navy Cadets Commanding Officer Lieutenant AJ Hughes.

Lt Hughes speaks from experience, starting with the cadets as a 13-year-old and progressing through the ranks to now oversee the Woody Point unit.

He says it is a development program for youth aged 13 (12 turning 13 this calendar year) to 17 years, with a maritime focus that helps them develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills.

“There’s a wide range of activities to do,” Lt Hughes says.

The unit has parade on Friday nights from 6.30-9.30pm, weekend activities including sailing, powerboating, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding; week-long camps; access to visits to Defence establishments including Navy ships; adventurist training; firearms training and more.

“It’s very affordable for parents at $200 per year, per cadet. Everything else goes towards fuel and food for activities,” he says.

It is a full maritime program that can lead to other opportunities in the future.

Learning new skills

During camps, the cadets work on leadership, teamwork and communication – skills which are transferrable to any career later in life.

Cadets also progress through the rank system and senior cadets play a key role in planning and running activities, furthering their personal development.

The maritime activities are run once a month, firearms activities occur every six months and camps are run twice a year. The unit will also take part in weekend camps from time to time.

The unit is also involved in community activities such as Anzac Day.

Lieutenant AJ Hughes says cadets from across north Brisbane and the Moreton Bay Region are part of the unit.

There are eight volunteers connected with the unit, including Lt Hughes, which is comprised of six uniformed volunteers and two parent volunteers.

The unit has 40 active cadets, but with the new school year the unit is actively recruiting more.

For more information, email [email protected] or visit the website navycadets.gov.au