After the departure of a few long-term Cadets in 2025 the 256 Cootamundra Army Cadet Unit (ACU) was struggling for numbers and was down to just four Cadets. After a campaign by the Officer Commanding, CAPT(AAC) Roy Elmes, presenting to Cootamundra High School students, online articles, and dedicated campaigning by the current members encouraging their friend groups, on the 15th of May, a recruitment day was held at the Cootamundra Depot. The day was very successful, seeing an influx of seven new members on the day, with two more over the following weeks. “The unit has literally tripled in size”, CAPT(AAC) Elmes said.
The new recruits have since been issued their uniform and field equipment, and commenced an introduction to their recruit training, including basic marching and ceremonial drill, first aid, code of conduct, verbal manners, and even table manners as all cadets sit down and share a light supper together on parade nights based on formal Military Dining In Night protocols.
The formal recruit course for new recruits will commence on the first night back of term three and should also see the promotion of the previous four cadets. The two previous recruits will be promoted to full Cadet as they have now completed their training. The current Corporal and Lance Corporal are off to complete the Sergeant and Corporal Leadership Courses at Lone Pine Barracks in Singleton next week. Anticipating successful completion of these courses, they will be promoted to Sergeant and Corporal, respectively, on the first night back also.
Some upcoming activities planned for term three are Exercise Capital Recon, being a weekend Canberra visit to ADFA Open Day, Royal Military College Museum, Australian War Memorial, and staying the night at Goulburn being hosted by the 288ACU Goulburn Army Cadet Unit and Air Force Cadet Squadron, as well as Exercise Kokoda a weekend bivouac (field camp) being held at the Majuro (Canberra) Military Training Area, where the Cadet will practice and hone their field craft skills including camping, cooking, navigation, field engineering, and other military skills.
At the end of term three in the first week of the spring school holidays is Annual Field Exercise (AFX) where all the community units from NSW come together for a week-long camp at the Lone Pine Barracks Singleton.
Whilst the formal recruit training commenced in Term three, it is not too late to join cadets, as we will take new recruits at any time. Cadets is for youth who are aged 12 to 17, and whilst it’s set in a military environment, the purpose is to raise the next generation of responsible community members regardless of their intended career pathways.
More information can be obtained at www.armycadets.gov.au or by e-mailing us at 256acu@armycadets.gov.au. We are also always on the lookout for adults who would like to assist with the program, whether this be in a uniform or non-uniform capacity, with no military experience required.
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