Australian Navy Cadets

History

The organisation was founded in the early 1900s and officially recognised under the Naval Defence Act in 1910. Prior to 1973, the organisation was known as the Australian Sea Cadet Corps, and was jointly administered by the Royal Australian Navy and the Navy League of Australia. After 1973, the Navy assumed full responsibility for the Corps, which was renamed the Naval Reserve Cadets. The Australian Government review, 'Cadets The Future' recommended a final name change to Australian Navy Cadets in 2000.

From 1942 until his death in 1952 HM King George VI was the Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps.

The Following is a list of names held by both the Naval League and Defence run/sponsored programs including the original 'Church of England – Boys Naval Brigade' from 1901 to 1911:

Aims

ANC training is nautical in nature and includes waterborne activities. Activities can include, but are not limited to, navigation, communications, first aid, drill, maritime history, firearms proficiency and adventurous training. The ANC also aims to achieve the following with its training program:

Organisation

There are 91 Training Ships (units) across Australia, with a total membership of over 400 staff and 2,200 cadets, including several that have been formed in High Schools. However, 2012 reporting suggested membership has fallen drastically to about 1,600. The ANC adheres to a rank structure similar to the Royal Australian Navy, with cadets having the opportunity to progress from the rank of Cadet Recruit to Cadet Midshipman. Each unit has a complement which lays out how many cadets the unit is allowed to carry and how many are allowed at each rank. Training camps and examinations are held for promotion in rank. The structure and organisation of the Australian Navy Cadets is based on that of the Royal Australian Navy however additionally features a large community involvement component.

ANC Units and Flotillas

Units in the ANC that are fully recognised Training Ships (TS) are sometimes named after ships of the Royal Australian Navy or the location the unit is based. Units that are not fully recognised training ships are known as New Training Ships (NTS). There are also cadet places in school called Cadets In High School (CIHS) and are usually named after their suburb or school.

Former units of the NLSCC/ASCC/NRC/ANC;

Navy League of Australia, Annual Cadet Efficiency Award results

In late 2009 early 2010 the decision was made to stop using Area Commands such as; South Queensland HQ, North Queensland HQ, New South WalesHQ etc. In the place Area Commands, Flotilla Commands would take over, each Flotilla would have on average 5 units in its command area and would report directly to the newly appointed 'Director of Flotillas'.

ANC Ranks

Ranks of the Australian Navy Cadets are divided into Staff ranks and Cadets Ranks. Volunteers do not become staff until appointed by the ANC.

Staff Ranks

Example of Use (officer); LCDR Joe Blogg, ANC
Example of Use (Instructor); POANC Joe Blogg

Cadet Ranks

Example of Use; CDTPO Joe Bloggs

Volunteers

Example of Use; USV Joe Bloggs

Former National Commanders & Director's General

The basic Naval Reserve Cadet (NRC) command structure prior to 2001 was as follows;

Director of Naval Reserves and Cadets (DNRC) was a RANR Officer in Canberra who had overall authority of the Naval Reserve Cadets. Each state had a Senior Officer Naval Reserve Cadets (SONRC) who answered to the LNA or Local Naval Authority usually the Commanding Officer (CO) of the establishment on which the NRCHQ of that state resided. A Cadet Liaison Officer (CLO), usually a RANR Officer, was situated in HMAS Cairns, HMAS Moreton, HMAS Watson, HMAS Lonsdale, HMAS Encounter, HMAS Huon and HMAS Leeuwin (all shore bases at the time). The CLO had responsibility for the liaising between the NRC and RAN in their state. There was no national HQ or national staff until the ANC was established in 2001.

Prior to 2001 the ANC did not have the title or position 'Director General ANC', instead the overall Commander's position was called 'Director of Reserves Navy' which was a RAN – RANR position.

Uniforms/Awards

The uniforms of the Australian Navy Cadets are based on that of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), with only a few differences such as the shoulder flashes of the ANC reading "AUSTRALIAN NAVY CADETS" as opposed to the RAN's "AUSTRALIA" flashes.

Courses and Skills

Cadets learn teamwork and leadership skills, and put these into practice at regular weekly parades. Cadets also have the opportunity to attend training camps for the purpose of promotion in rank, standard training, or to gain additional qualifications.

TS Hobart, a dedicated band unit, also offers musical activities as well as the normal cadet curriculum.

ANC and RAN Twinning Program

All ANC units can participate in sea rides on Royal Australian Navy ships as part of the "Twinning" program, an initiative to provide a link between ANC units and RAN ships.

International Exchanges

As the ANC is part of the International Sea Cadet Association, the opportunity is present for members to go on exchange programs with overseas cadet groups.

ANC and Young Endeavour Youth Scheme

The ANC/Young Endeavour Voyage Scheme is a sailing program for Australian Navy Cadets aged 16 and over, focused on building leadership, teamwork and communication skills through sail training. This scheme is being sponsored by the RAN and extends to 24 Australian Navy Cadets and three ANC staff members the chance to participate in two dedicated voyages on STS Young Endeavour. Sponsorship covers all voyage fees, airfares and accommodation. Nominations are sought from cadets over the age of 16 years and placement is offered to the top 24 cadets who can demonstrate outstanding personal and leadership qualities and who have made a valuable contribution to their local community during the past 12 months.

Over the course of the voyage, 24 Navy Cadets and three ANC staff members learn aspects of sailing a 44-metre, square rigged tall ship on the open sea including climbing the two 30 metre masts, setting sails, navigating, keeping watch, taking the helm and helping in the galley. ANC crew are trained by a professional Royal Australian Navy crew who are there to ensure the highest standards of safety and care.

The YEYS staff lead and run the Ship's usual training, games/sport and activity programs, with all ANC staff and cadets coming under the direction and supervision of the Ship's crew. This is not a military program. ANC staff do not have a leadership role while embarked in STS Young Endeavour and fully participate in the ship's youth development program on an equal footing with the cadets whom they would usually lead. The focus of the voyage is on self-development, the atmosphere is informal and all ship's company and youth crew are addressed on a first name basis.

Specialisations

When Cadets complete the Initial General Training Course (GT), they have the opportunity to go and do a specialisation course. Having a specialisation is not necessary to get promoted to Leading Seamen but having done at least one Annual Continuous Training (ACT) is. Cadets are allowed to have more than one specialisation or category but each cadet will have a primary specialisation. Specialist courses are run on ACTs (as well as GT) which usually happen once a year. The awarding of categories mirrors that of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) even though sailors in the RAN can only gain one rate at any one time. The specialisations are available to cadets from the rank of Able Seaman.

The specialisations available in the Australian Navy Cadets are;

Former specialisations;

Cadets can also attend an advanced course on most of the above specialisations

Cuff Rates;

CSA (Cadet Special Award) are completed at cadets, camps and ACT (Annual Continuous Training). Cuff rates is a badge you get after completing the course and it is worn on ceremonial uniforms, with a maximum of three to be worn. Cuff rate include;

the Adventurous Training Award is run by the Australian Army Cadets and is worn above the readiness badge.

Membership

All cadets and staff in the ANC are workers of the ADF (Australian Defence Force) in accordance to the workplace health and safety act classifying them as workers but are not required to undertake military service.

Cadet

The age period of membership as a cadet is twelve turning thirteen on the year of entry, to the day before turning twenty. After turning twenty years of age, it is no longer possible to be a member of the ANC as a cadet. There is no specific recruitment time.

Staff

All cadet units are staffed by paid officers and instructors, although some units may also have volunteer instructors. Adult staff involved in the organisation come from a variety of backgrounds and professions including:

Some Cadet Staff are appointed for their professional expertise in instruction or administration. Cadets may apply to become Officers or Instructors when they leave the Cadet program.

The current National Command Authority are;