Cadet Youth Development Continuum Source: The Cadet Youth Development Continuum acts as a framework that guides the cadet development program. The program aims to develop a cadet's personal qualities and life skills: resilience, teamwork, confidence, loyalty, respect, and a sense of service to others.
Category Program The ANC offers three categories, which are aligned with the RAN and its many roles. These categories are Maritime Engineering, Maritime Operations, and Maritime Support. Cadets who reach the rank of Able Seaman are expected to have completed one of these categories. Category badges are awarded on completion of the category's workbook.
Maritime Engineering The Maritime
Engineering category develops cadets in the basic principles of engineering in the maritime environment. A cadet will gain an appreciation of the mechanical and electrical systems used in watercraft and in larger naval vessels.
Maritime Operations The Maritime Operations category develops cadets with an interest and ability in seamanship and general mariner skills.
Maritime Supports The Maritime Support category develops cadets with an interest in support functions, including medical, catering, hospitality, supply chain, stores, and administration functions.
Elective Program Electives are optional courses that give cadets the chance to specialise in one or more areas of interest and advance their present level of ability. A cadet will typically select an elective that piques their interest or is in line with the ANC category they have selected. The electives offered in the ANC consist of: •
Cooking •
First Aid •
Musician •
Physical Fitness and
Well-being •
Powerboating •
Sailing •
Skill at Arms •
Bridge Operations •
Drone flying •
Robotics Cadets of all ranks are given the option to choose as many of these courses as they wish. On completion, elective badges are awarded. Elective badges have three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. These elective badges are velcroed onto a black
brassard worn on the
DPNU. Cadets can sew on a maximum of three badges onto the
cuff of their right arm for the ceremonial uniform (S3/W3).
Promotion Every ANC rank has a workbook that provides cadets with the knowledge and abilities required to advance to the next rank. Promotion to ranks of Cadet Seaman and Cadet Able Seaman only requires the completion of the core Skills Development Package (SDP) and the promotional checklist, the checklist includes skills ranging from drill to general unit activities. The only exception for this is that promotion to Cadet Able Seaman also requires completion of a category SDP being either Maritime Engineering, Maritime Operations, and Maritime Support. Promotion to ranks of Cadets Leading Seaman and above requires a promotional board which is held at a unit level for promotion to Cadet Leading Seaman, Flotilla level for Cadet Petty Officers and a National level for Chief Petty Officers and Cadet Warrant Officers.
International activities Source: Australian Navy Cadets are members of the ISCA and have the chance to participate in the ANC International exchange program. The program happens multiple times a year, and cadets are able to experience similar organisations in other select countries: •
Canada •
New Zealand •
United Kingdom •
United States of America •
South Korea The main goals of the Cadet exchanges are to spread friendships, kindness, pleasure, cultural experiences, and knowledge about new places and the operations of other Cadet organisations.
National activities Source: National activities are fully funded by the Defence who arrange the activities, land and air travel, accommodation, and food.
Annual National Camp Cadets are given the opportunity to attend a week-long National Camp at a RAN Shore Establishment such as
HMAS Cerberus. Activities that may be included on a national camp are: • Visit a Navy warship or submarine • Fire-fighting and smoke walk • Target shooting • Survival at Sea • Leadership & teamwork challenges • Rock wall climbing • Navy helicopter flights • Drone flying • Power boating • Sail training • Defence careers presentation
Annual National Competitions A national
regatta and
shooting competition is hosted every year for cadets across Australia. The teams from each Cadet Unit compete in these events to test their abilities and training. These tournaments evaluate the abilities and activities that the Navy Cadets learn during the year.
Flotilla and unit activities Flotilla and unit-based activities are among the more basic and frequent events in the Australian Navy Cadet program. Flotillas can offer a variety of events for cadets in any of the training ships situated in their flotilla. Training ships are also able to host their own activities solely for cadets inside their unit. A training ship will always host a 'Parade Night' once a week on a select day. The schedule of a parade night can vary from TS to TS but will normally have a Colours Ceremony (raising of the flag), Drill Training, Lessons, Action Based Learning (ABLs), Stand Easy (a time to eat), and a Sunset Ceremony (lowering of the flag).
Powerboating The Australian Navy Cadets teaches the skills required to operate small powerboats safely, including weather awareness, basic navigation, and seamanship knowledge.
Sailing Source: Several opportunities and experiences related to
sailing are offered by the Australian Navy Cadets. Cadets can learn to
sail at their unit, take part in sailing weekends at one of the Maritime Training Centers, operate a
dinghy, and compete against other cadets in
regattas. The Australian Navy Cadets is an authorised
Discover Sailing Center under the
Australian Sailing Organisation.
Firearm training The ANC offers a comprehensive firearms safety training program using .22 calibre rifles (
Bruno CZ452). Cadets learn how to handle a rifle safely before participating in a 'live fire' at a
rifle range. == Ranks and uniforms ==