National Assistant Commander 2018 Christmas Message

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Army Cadet Units throughout Australia have drawn their year to a close for the Christmas break. Many have held end of year parades and have farewelled their senior youth members who have contributed so much to ACUs, Battalions and Brigades during 2018. Thank you to all those cadets who have participated for a number of years and risen through the ranks to become our youth leaders. You have amazing accomplishments and these are highly regarded by future employers and tertiary institutions. I also acknowledge the efforts of our retiring National CUO Sam Elias and retired National Cadet RSM Jazmyn Coonan and thank them for being outstanding ambassadors for the Corps during high profile activities this year.

Beyond our Corps it has been a year of upheaval and disruption for many with a number of natural disasters as well as atrocious incidents caused by poor judgement and terrible people. In our ‘AAC world’ I have been privileged to see and experience our stable and effective operations, to hear about individual Cadets and groups of Cadets performing excellent work, being credible leaders, members of the team, and showing the courage to overcome fear. Everywhere I hear how well our Cadet Development Continuum is being used and much credit goes to the Cadets who are using it so energetically.

Our adult leaders are delivering a great program across the nation. Thank you to the Army Cadet Staff members who are supported by Defence Adult Helpers. You are the boots-on-the-ground and the ‘glue’ that holds the AAC together. Many of you have undertaken elements of the new Adult Leader Development Continuum and are implementing newly learned skills. Thank you to all ACS for your enormous contribution to the Corps.

The commitment to continuous improvement of our organisation lies at the heart of the support we are given by the Australian Army. Army is deeply proud of its uniformed youth unit and the Chief of Army has been very clear about his priority to lead and support his Cadet Corps. We have a dedicated group of full-time and part-time Army Officers and NCOs backing us who are second to none. We are enjoying the highest level of Army support that I have experienced in my 40 years as an OOC. On behalf of everyone in the Corps I acknowledge this outstanding commitment by Army and thank the individuals under the command of Brigadier Mick Ashleigh for their professionalism and supervision of our great program.

We all take a pause at Christmas time and let us reflect on the achievements of our Cadets and staff while we enjoy a break with family and friends. Our Corps is growing, the learning curricula are being enhanced, the future opportunities are bright.

In 2019: the new categories of ACS will begin and produce a much better structure where adult leaders are filling OOC roles exclusively; safety reporting will be enhanced by trend analysis (and OOCs are doing a great job reporting); new OOC Padres will be appointed across the regions; new age limits for Cadets come into effect; new items of kit, equipment and IT hardware will become available, and much more. I look forward to seeing all the Assistant Commanders on 16 and 17 February in Canberra for the National Conference when these things will be discussed.

I want to thank you for your participation as Cadets, involvement as ACS and for putting CADETS FIRST in everything you do as a member of the AAC.

Best wishes for this festive season and 2019,

RICHARD MORGAN
Colonel (AAC)
National Assistant Commander and Head of Corps