Australian Army Cadets (AAC) Commendations for Service are intended to provide a means of formally recognising superior or high achievement, meritorious service or specific acts of achievement for which the Australian system of honours and awards and Australian Defence Force (ADF) Commendations are not, in these instances, an appropriate form of recognition.

The acts generating the award of a commendation can be either isolated instances or those that occur over a period of time. AAC Commendations for Service are for the recognition of service beyond what would normally be expected of the nominated person in their AAC posting or involvement.

Prior to 1975, adult officers and senior instructors of cadets in the various arms of the Australian cadet movement had been entitled to their own Imperial long service medal. The Imperial Cadet Forces Medal was established in 1950 and was awarded for 12 years service with either the Naval Reserve Sea Cadets, the Australian Army Cadet Corps or the Air Training Corps. At the time the Imperial system was abolished in 1975, the support for the cadet movement was also withdrawn. Notwithstanding this, the cadet movement survived and was eventually brought back under the sponsorship of the ADF. It was not until 1999, however, when a new medal was instituted to replace the Cadet Forces Medal. While the medal is not strictly a Defence long service award and is not available to ADF members, it is located with the long service awards given that the Australian Cadet Corps is actively sponsored by the ADF.

The Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal (ACFSM) is a cupro-nickel medal. The obverse has the emblem of the Australian Cadet Force surrounded by the inscription 'AUSTRALIAN CADET FORCES SERVICE MEDAL'. The reverse has the Federation Star under a plaque showing recipient's details.

The Ribbon

The ACFSM ribbon has stripes of blue and gold with three outer stripes of navy, red and light-blue.

Clasps

The ACFSM clasp is a cupro-nickel bar with the Royal Cypher flanked by sprigs of wattle in the centre. When the ribbon is worn alone, the award of a clasp is indicated by the addition of a cupro-nickel round rosette or a silver miniature Federation Star. Additional emblems are added for each clasp awarded.

The first four clasps to the medal are indicated by rosettes. These are replaced by a single silver Federation Star for the fifth clasp. Additional Federation Star emblems are added for subsequent clasps.

Eligibility

The eligibility for the ACFSM is for Officers or Instructors of Cadets who have, on or after 14 February 1975, completed 15 years qualifying service. Clasps are awarded for additional 5 year periods of qualifying service.

Cadet Members are required to apply through their State Headquarters not DH&A.

The Adventure Training Award is a series of field activities that are undertaken by senior cadets of the Australian Army Cadets.  The Adventure Training Award is designed as the most physically challenging and demanding set of activities in which Cadets can participate during their years in the Australian Army Cadets.

The reward, should the cadets successfully complete the six day assessment, will be the prized “boomerang and torch” Adventure Training Award badge, the highest accolade they can wear on their uniform.  Some of the challenges that will be faced by these cadets include; watermanship, roping, survival and navigating by day and night in the bush.

Pre Selection Barrier Testing:

Commensurate with the NATA assessment objectives, individual fitness is fundamental to safety and successful completion of the NATA.  Pre-Selection Barrier Tests must be completed to ensure all cadets meet minimum satisfactory entry levels of personal skills and fitness;

Further information:

Cadets and Staff can obtain more information by contacting their relevant Regional Headquarters.