The Australian Defence Force Cadets (ADFC) (also known as the Australian Service Cadet Scheme until 2001) consists of three Australian Defence Force affiliated, community-based, youth development organisations of approximately 30,000 cadets and 4,405 staff members in 579 units across Australia. Coordination of the Australian Defence Force Cadets is via the ADF HQ unit called Reserve and Youth Division, with Commander ADF Cadets - directly accountable to VCDF. The ADFC is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Defence, in partnership with the community.
The Australian Defence Force Cadets have been a large part of the Australian community since the 19th century. After the cadets were re-raised in 1976 the three cadet services were grouped together as the Australian Services Cadet Scheme, beforehand the three organisations were run under the directions of single service policy, in 2001 the name was changed to the Australian Defence Force Cadets as recommended by a review. While the Australian Defence Force Cadets is sponsored by ADF (Australian Defence Force) and runs under a similar rank structure, uniform and training activities, the ADFC is not an official branch of the Defence Force and runs in accordance with the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict which Australia has signed.
The ADFC encompasses three organizations: Australian Navy Cadets (ANC) Australian Army Cadets (AAC) Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC)
Cadet units are referred to differently depending on the parent service. Air Force Cadet units are referred to as Squadrons, Navy Cadet units are referred to as Training Ships and Army Cadet units are referred to as Army Cadet Units.
ADFC Ranks Officer of Cadets (OOC) ranks Australian Navy Cadets (ANC) Insignia Rank CaptainANC CommanderANC LieutenantCommander ANC LieutenantANC Sub LieutenantANCMidshipman ANC Abbreviation CAPT,ANC CMDR,ANC LCDR,ANC LEUT,ANC SBLT,ANC MIDN,ANC Australian Army Cadets (AAC) Insignia Rank ColonelAAC Lieutenant ColonelAAC MajorAAC CaptainAAC LieutenantAAC Second LieutenantAAC Abbreviation COL(AAC) LTCOL(AAC) MAJ(AAC) CAPT(AAC) LT(AAC) 2LT(AAC) Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) Insignia Rank Group Captain (AAFC) Wing Commander (AAFC) Squadron Leader (AAFC) Flight Lieutenant (AAFC) Flying Officer (AAFC) Pilot Officer (AAFC) Abbreviation GPCAPT(AAFC) WGCDR(AAFC) SQNLDR(AAFC) FLTLT(AAFC) FLGOFF(AAFC) PLTOFF(AAFC)
Instructor of Cadets (IOC) ranks Australian Navy Cadets (ANC) Insignia Rank Warrant Officer ANC(Inactive rank) Chief Petty Officer ANC (Inactive rank) Petty Officer ANC (Inactive rank) Leading Seaman ANC(Inactive rank) Able Seaman ANC(Inactive rank) Provisional Instructor ANC (Inactive rank) Abbreviation WOANC CPOANC POANC LSANC ABANC PIANC Australian Army Cadets (AAC) Insignia Rank Warrant Officer Class One AAC(No longer in use as of 2020) Warrant Officer Class Two AAC(No longer in use as of 2020) Staff Sergeant AAC(Phased out as of 2019) Sergeant AAC(No longer in use as of 2020) Corporal AAC(No longer in use as of 2020) Lance Corporal AAC(No longer in use as of 2020) Trainee Officer of Cadets (As of 2022, only used by some battalions) Abbreviation WO1(AAC) WO2(AAC) SSGT(AAC) SGT(AAC) CPL(AAC) LCPL(AAC) TOOC Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC)Insignia Rank Warrant Officer (AAFC) Flight Sergeant (AAFC) Sergeant (AAFC) Corporal (AAFC) Leading Aircraftman/Leading Aircraftwoman (AAFC) Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman (AAFC) Abbreviation WOFF(AAFC) FSGT(AAFC) SGT(AAFC) CPL(AAFC) LAC/W(AAFC) AC/W(AAFC)
Cadets ranks
See also Cadets (youth program) National Cadet Advisory Council Ranks of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps Cadet grades and insignia of the Civil Air Patrol Ranks of the cadet forces of the United Kingdom Cadets Canada elemental ranks New Zealand Cadet Forces ranks
Notes
References
External links Australian Navy Cadets - http://www.navycadets.gov.au/
Australian Army Cadets - http://www.armycadets.gov.au/
Australian Air Force Cadets - http://www.airforcecadets.gov.au/