When Navy, Army and Air Force cadets from across Australia converged on Canberra for the second annual ADF Cadets Triservice Leadership Summit, there was an air of anticipation from all involved.
Braving a brisk Canberra morning, cadets jumped into a range of activities designed to enhance their leadership skills, increase their exposure to the collaborative triservice working environment and directly engage with senior Defence leaders.
Deputy Head ADF Cadets Air Commodore Grant Pinder was inspired by the leadership qualities cadets developed during the summit, held from May 24-26.
"The maturity of the cadets and the way they demonstrated their leadership skills while engaging with both one another and Defence personnel has been extremely encouraging," Air Commodore Pinder said.
The cadets employed their theoretical and experiential problem-solving skills during exclusive sessions led by the Centre of Defence Leadership and Ethics, and later tested their practical leadership skills in a series of obstacles on the Leadership Reaction Course.
The weekend also offered time for reflection, with the cadets sharing their personal experiences at a formal dinner at HMAS Harman and enjoying a private tour and Last Post ceremony at the Australian War Memorial.
A highlight for the cadets was hearing from former Chief of the Defence Force, and Patron of the ADF Cadets, General (retd) Sir Peter Cosgrove, who attributed many of his leadership qualities to the lessons he learned as a young cadet.
Along with the professional and personal development that the cadets received, they also walked away with a unique memento of their experience when the cadet patron presented each of them with a coveted challenge coin.
Air Commodore Pinder said he was confident the cadets attending the event were well-positioned as future leaders.
"Whether these cadets decide to pursue a pathway with Defence or elsewhere as leaders in their community, meaningful activities like the ADF Cadets Leadership Summit will continue to inspire, equip and develop them to contribute to society in a positive way," he said.
"People are, and will remain, Defence's most important capability, and it is important that we provide our young people with opportunities to develop leadership qualities."
