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Overseas trip to Japan – 2012
By OCDT Broderick McMurdo
In March of this year I was fortunate enough to attend the 15th
International Cadet Conference at the National Defence Academy of Japan.
The purpose of the conference was to foster international relationships
between cadets and midshipmen from 17 different nations, as well as to
discuss major world issues in an open environment.
The main topics of discussion over the first two days of the conference
were centred on National Disaster Relief, Terrorism and Threats to Security
and finally the role of the Cyber World in future military operations. Due
to the vast array of cultures represented at the conference the discussions
were extremely enlightening for all involved. Once the formal discussions
were completed each international cadet was shown around Tokyo by their
Japanese hosts for the weekend.
We visited a number of historically significant sites which helped us to gain
a better understanding of Japanese culture. In contrast though, we also
visited a number of modern hubs which were exciting if not strange at the
same time.
Overall the trip was extraordinarily valuable in a number of ways, and I am
extremely grateful to have been able to participate in such an event.
Officers Cadets Samuel Bradeley and James Tockuss during an award ceremony
Royal Netherlands Military Academy Experience
By MIDN Gideon Watkin
Japan’s Open Forum
ADFA Cadets Visit China
By OFFCDT James Tockuss
Two Royal Australian Air Force officer cadets were invited to attend the first
International Air Force Cadets Week in Changchun, China in May this year.
Over the course of one week, OFFCDT Samuel Bradeley and OFFCDT James
Tockuss were given a rare glimpse into life inside the People’s Liberation
Army Air Force (PLAAF). The PLAAF’s ‘Aviation University’ houses many
thousands of cadets, most of whom aspire to become pilots on completion
of their Aeronautical Engineering Degree.
The facilities at the University were outstanding, and reflected the huge
number of cadets that study there. Notable infrastructure included a stateof-the-art
indoor pistol range, an impressive outdoor adventure-training
facility, full athletic running track and a gym that dwarfed anything we
had ever seen (with over 50 table tennis tables). With regards to the daily
routine, the cadets live under much harsher conditions than Australian
cadets with a total of just four hours allocated to ‘free time’ per week.
After four years of study and rigorous training, the cadets begin their basic
flight training on the PT-6, before moving on to the K-8 trainer for more
advanced instruction.
In late April, MIDN Gideon Watkin, OCDT Sarah Hall and OFFCDT Oliver Kersnovski accompanied by MAJ Mark Griffths and SGT Peter Heskith attended an
international exchange week at the Royal Netherlands Military Academy. This exchange saw the gathering of a number of cadets from European countries
such as Austria, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, France, Turkey, Germany, Hungary and Luxemburg. The exchange week offered all participants the opportunity
to learn about the military education systems of many different countries.
Being introduced to life at the Netherlands Military Academy, all the Australian members were amazed at its culture and history. Being situated within the grounds
of an 18th Century castle, the Academy gave the members a new found appreciation of tradition and heritage.
Spending ANZAC Day in Europe, we were privileged to be given a battlefield tour by one of the Academy’s military history lecturers. Travelling through the
countryside to Arnhem, everyone learnt vital lessons about particular battles of World War Two following the D-Day landings. The opportunity to stand and
follow in the story of many brave soldiers was certainly a highlight of the trip.
Overall, we all gained valuable knowledge about a multitude of other countries as well as forming some close bonds.