Commander AAC 2018 Christmas Message

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

To all members of the Australian Army Cadets family: Cadets, Adult Cadet Staff, Army support personal, families and friends.

With the Christmas Season now here and many of us preparing for a well-earned break and catch up time with our families, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your commitment, dedication and support to the Australian Army Cadets (AAC) throughout 2018. It has been a tremendous year for the AAC in so many areas as we continue to provide one of the nation’s leading youth development programs.

With our cadet enrolments now almost 17,000, the AAC is providing a unique personal development program for a growing number of young Australians. This program not only enables its members to grow as individuals, it also develops them as better citizens who are prepared to support and contribute to their local communities. We see this routinely on national days of significance such as ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day when our cadets play a leading role in providing Army’s ceremonial support to community services. But additionally, we also see regular instances where our cadets step up and support their fellow citizens in times of distress or difficulty because of the training and confidence they have gained through their involvement with the AAC.

One of the great privileges I have in being COMD AAC is the opportunity to travel around the country to spend time with you, whether it be at the large school base units in the capital cities or the smallest of units in the remotest parts of rural Australia. Regardless of where I visit, what strikes me most is the commonality in purpose and dedication displayed by all to the values of the AAC: Courage, Initiative, Respect and Teamwork. It gives me great pleasure to pass on the many positive observations I gain during these visits to the Chief of Army, Deputy Chief of Army and the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army, who continue to be great supporters of the AAC and remain committed to supporting the program to grow and develop.

The coming year promises to be another exciting one for the AAC, with the continued implementation of various initiatives including the new Cadet Development Continuum, the introduction of our UAV elective, and the enhancement of the professional development of our Adult Cadets Staff just to name a few.

But now is a time for reflection and family. On behalf of Headquarters AAC, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Be safe and look out for each other at all times. I look forward to seeing you in 2019.

BRIG Michael Ashleigh
COMD AAC