MILITARY TRAINING


Over a three year period you’ll learn the fundamental knowledge, skills and attitudes required to be an officer in the ADF. The military training program consists of two key components – Academy Military Education and Training (AMET) and Single Service Training (SST).

Academy Military Education and Training

AMET

The AMET program is carried out in ‘blocks’ at the beginning and end of the year and six hours per week during academic terms. You’ll find there is a significant emphasis on creating experience based leadership opportunities in the training activities. The AMET program includes subjects such as:

Leadership Studies
Develop leadership skills that prepare you to take your place as an officer in the ADF.
Drill and Ceremonial
This promotes reaction to command, self-discipline and teamwork through knowledge and practice of the customs and traditions of military ceremonies.
Military Communication Program
This is designed to develop confidence and effectiveness in your oral and written communication skills, which are necessary for your military career.
Equity and Diversity Training
This provides you with the skills to live, study and develop in a healthy academic and social environment by teaching you how to treat people fairly and with respect in accordance with ADF policies.
First Aid and Health
Examines the impact on society of drug and alcohol abuse and teaches you first aid and preventative health techniques for general wellbeing.
Field Craft
This introduces you to living in the field as a member of a group and survival in adverse circumstances.
Military Law
This introduces you to the ADF Discipline Act and the Geneva Conventions. The subject is designed to enable you to function in the ADFA environment with more detailed training being conducted nearer to the time you become a full officer in the ADF.
Physical Training
This teaches you fitness, strength and agility. Physical training classes are conducted during the weekly military training program. As sport and a high standard of physical fitness are important parts of ADF life, you are encouraged to obtain a coaching or refereeing qualification for at least one sport.
Weapons Training
This gives you training in the operation and maintenance of small arms Service weapons.

Military Education and Training

Single Service Training (SST)

Single Service Training (SST) is generally conducted at the beginning and end of the year for varying periods of time and gives you the opportunity to experience and learn about your parent Service. The Services (Navy, Army and Air Force) are responsible for the design and implementation of the program that is outlined below. Overall the SST program forms an important foundation for your future career in the ADF.

  1. Navy

    On joining the Navy, all Midshipmen complete the Navy Officer Year One (NOYO) Program. NOYO commences with the New Entry Officer Course (NEOC) at the Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS CRESWELL, Jervis Bay. This 22 week induction program instils basic military and mariner skills, concentrating on both teamwork and leadership. It also exposes trainees to Navy specific routines, culture and traditions. This important course gives all new Naval Officers a solid grounding on which to build the remainder of their military careers. On completion of NEOC, the second half of NOYO will see you conducting various activities throughout the fleet or in shore establishments, depending on your intended primary qualification (PQ), prior to commencing studies at ADFA. This will normally include additional time at sea or in aviation squadrons to gain a greater understanding of the roles and responsibilities of an officer.

    During second and third years you will participate in further periods of SST with Navy and within your career specialisation. Each of the Navy PQs follows a separate SST program. Activities conducted will also depend on the course of academic studies you undertake. SST may include attachments to shore establishments or ships; consolidation and progression of phased specialist training; or management and leadership studies at the Naval College at Jervis Bay.

  2. Army

    During your time at ADFA as an Army Officer Cadet, you will be required to complete Army SST during academic breaks in the program. The Army SST conducted over your three years at ADFA is equivalent to the first six months of training conducted by Army General Service Officers who enlist directly into the Royal Military College (RMC). The training is designed to prepare you for the challenges you will experience during your 12 months of Army specific training at RMC prior to being commissioned.

    In your first year of Army SST you will gain an introduction to Army life. You will learn a range of foundation military skills such as weapon handling, fieldcraft, navigation and first aid. You will also learn to communicate using military radios and live out in the bush in a tactical environment. At times your Army training will be physically and mentally challenging, particularly when you find yourself spending cold and windy nights under the stars or when you undertake combat endurance marches. You can be guaranteed that your new friends, right alongside you during that tough training, will become your mates for life.

    Second year of Army SST will provide you with an introduction to the leadership challenges of learning how to command a group of soldiers in a tactical environment. You will also get the chance to travel and undertake work experience within one of Army’s Brigades, learning more about life as a junior Army officer.

    During your third year at ADFA, the Army SST is focused on further leadership training and preparing you for the Royal Military College. You will become confident at leading others, learn more about different weapon systems and develop your combat fitness.

  3. Air Force

    In your first year as an Air Force cadet, you’ll acquire skills in areas such as air power knowledge and military justice, while at the same time complete military skills instruction that includes leadership, drill and ceremonial. What’s more you’ll get your first taste of an Air Force exercise with a visit to the Air Force Museum in Point Cook as part of Exercise Trojan.

    Your second year will involve adventure training out at Wee Jasper as part of Exercise Discovery. This is a vital aspect of your training as it develops your physical and mental strength. Leadership, management and Air Force communications training will also form a large part of the year, as well as weapon testing and live fire training. And at the tail end of the year, non-Engineering Cadets will commence work placement.

    The third year kicks off with another round of work placements. Engineering cadets will spend 30 days at a military unit. Bachelor of Technology cadets will also be heading off to a military unit to complete their work experience. Both groups will be posted to units around Australia. The beginning of the third year will also see non-Engineering cadets complete vital ground defence training. For Engineering cadets, they will complete this training in July.


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