In their first year at the Australian Defence Force Academy, officer cadets and midshipmen participate in five weeks initial military training, which assists in the transition from civilian life to military life.
During these first weeks, cadets and midshipmen learn to march, use military weapons, undergo physical training; partake in adventure training including rock climbing, high ropes course and high speed water insertions. In addition, they will practice cleaning, ironing and washing. This teaches them to work together in a team and start to take responsibility for themselves and each other.
Additionally, cadets and midshipmen will undertake training in equity and diversity, introduction to military law. They will also have lessons in communal living, the range of support services available, healthy lifestyle, work health and safety as well as drug and alcohol awareness.
They will live in Divisions of approximately 35-40 personnel within a first year cohort of around 320. This is where cadets and midshipmen meet and develop the friendships with their peers, they will also get to know the staff that will be responsible for their training. During this period and prior to the commencement of the academic year, cadets will enrol in university subjects and plan their academic and military timetables.
The completion of this initial military training period is followed by the Chief of the Defence Force Week concluding that is concluded by the Chief of the Defence Force parade. Family and friends of first year cadets and midshipmen are encouraged to attend this Parade and celebrate the conclusion of this initial period of training.
Most people don’t realise that being a member of the Defence Force is, in many ways, just like a regular job.
There are plenty of opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities, sports and social events at the Australian Defence Force Academy. Regular social events are held, including formal mess dinners, sporting social functions and other social gatherings.
When it comes time to relax, the accommodation at the Academy provides everything you need to feel right at home. The rooms are comfortable and private, and there are common areas, lounges and the Cadets Mess complex where you can unwind. The Australian Defence Force Academy offers a huge range of opportunities that simply cannot be found at any other university.
As a general guide, the daily routine at the Academy may be as follows:
ADFA offers a range of sporting and voluntary extra-curricular clubs (VECCS) for cadets, encouraging them to compete against and become involved with local and interstate organisations.
Sporting Clubs and VECCs currently offered at ADFA include:
ADFA Sporting Clubs | ADFA VECCs |
---|---|
AFL Basketball Cricket Football Hockey Marathon and Distance Running Netball Rowing Rugby Union Sailing Swimming Touch Football Volleyball Water Polo ICE Hockey |
Adventure Sports Faith and Spirituality Crossfit/Titans/S&C Future of War Aviation Interest Group Military Precision Drill Team Military Skills/Shooting SAE Academy Racing UAV ADFA Band Drum ADFA Pipe Major ADFA Small Group Coord – Band Performance Arts Muddies Sisters-in-Arms Martial Arts Recreation |