70km walk ahead for ATA Cadets

Around 100 Australian Army Cadets will head to the Singleton Training Area in NSW this weekend to compete in the National Adventure Training Award 2016.

FILE PHOTO: Cadet Sergeant Tim North going through the obstacle course at the Royal Military College Duntroon, during the 2013 ATA. Photo by Corporal Max Bree

The challenging week-long activity from 3-8 July will see successful participants awarded the Adventure Training Award (ATA) badge – one of the penultimate awards in Cadets.

Commander Australian Amy Cadets Brigadier Wayne Budd said that during the week the teenage Cadets would be tested on their bush navigation, field engineering and survival skills, physical and mental endurance, teamwork abilities, initiative and leadership.

“This will be one of the most arduous and defining weeks for Cadets as they put their skills to the test,” BRIG Budd said.

“The Cadets must be aged 16 at the beginning of the activity, are in their third or subsequent year of being a Cadet and attended at least two annual camps. These pre-activity requirements are a must as the ATA is one of the most mentally and physically challenging tests. The second is the Chief of Army Cadet Team Challenge.”

BRIG Budd said the Cadets will walk around 70 kilometers in cross country navigation during which they will be exposed to activities to test their initiative and skills to achieve complex tasks.

“Each participant on the ATA will be tested and assessed individually on activities including casualty evacuation and field engineering which looks at their pioneering skills with knots and lashings,” BRIG Budd said.

“The Cadets will also undergo an individual test of courage with a high ropes course activity.”

BRIG Budd said the ATA is one of the toughest competitions the Cadets will face during their time in the youth development organisation. He said it will be a defining moment in their lives because of the hard physical nature of the ATA.

“Australia needs its young people learning new skills and facing new challenges that will help define them for the future,” he said.

Army Cadets are provided with excellent opportunities for individual self-esteem, develop team dynamics/morale; to develop individual skills including leadership, initiative, and problem-solving in a safe, challenging and fun environment.

The Australian Army Cadets is a leading national youth development organisation, with the character and values of the Australian Army, founded on strong community partnership, fostering and supporting an ongoing interest in the Australian Army.

There are around 16,000 Army Cadets in 212 units spread across all States and Territories of Australia.

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