Chief of the Defence Force welcomes new trainee officers

The Chief of the Australian Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, today officially welcomed the Australian Defence Force Academy’s (ADFA) newest trainee officers at the annual CDF Parade.

The parade is a traditional marking of the trainee officers’ successful transition from civilians to members of ADFA and the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

General Campbell congratulated the more than 340 trainee officers on completing their familiarisation training and wished them all the best for the next three years of military training and academic study.

“This is just the beginning of your military life in what we hope will be a long and distinguished career of service to the nation,” General Campbell said.

“You have made a commitment to all Australians to serve them by defending Australia and its national interests.

“In doing so, you have agreed to uphold the highest standards and the finest traditions of the Australian Defence Force.”

Over the past five weeks, the midshipmen and officer cadets have been developing skills in military drills, physical training, leadership and ethics education, and weapons handling.

“Australia’s strategic circumstances are dynamic and constantly evolving. The education and training you receive here will develop your capacity to meet those challenges as future leaders of the ADF,” General Campbell said.

“I wish you the best of luck in your studies in the knowledge that hard work and commitment are the foundations for your success.”

This year’s class includes 18 international students representing nine countries.

ADFA is a unique military institution that combines university education and military training to prepare midshipmen and officer cadets intellectually, physically and ethically for their roles as future officers and leaders in the Navy, Army and Air Force. 

The new trainee officers will now commence university studies at the University of New South Wales Canberra, co-located within ADFA.

Media note

Following completion of the event, media will be able to access imagery of the 2023 CDF Parade and more information about ADFA at http://images.defence.gov.au/S20230241.