General knowledge (From JLC revision booklet)

Overview of the Australian Army Cadets

• Australian Army Cadets (AAC) are a youth organization that helps foster a sense of citizenship, discipline, and leadership skills through military-style training.

Ranks of the Australian Army Cadets

• Cadet Ranks:

  • CDT 9 (Special Grade)

  • CDT 8

  • CDT 7

  • CDT 6

  • CDT 5

  • CDT 4

  • CDT 3

  • Under Officer

  • Warrant Officer Class

  • Officer Cadet

Insignia of Ranks in AAC:

• Colonel (AAC): Abbreviation COL (AAC)

• Lieutenant Colonel (AAC): Abbreviation LTCOL (AAC)

• Major (AAC): Abbreviation MAJ (AAC)

• Captain (AAC): Abbreviation CAPT (AAC)

• Lieutenant (AAC): Abbreviation LT (AAC)

• Second Lieutenant (AAC): Abbreviation 2LT (AAC)

Historical Development of the Australian Army Cadets

Foundation Period:

• 1866: Australian Cadets were formed, with St. Mark’s Collegiate School in NSW being the first unit.

• 1888: Formation of CGSACU (Central Governor's School Army Cadets Unit).

• 1929: Cadets bifurcated into two categories for training and organizational purposes:

  1. Regimental detachments associated with militia forces.

  2. School-based detachments lacking Army support.

Changes Post World War II:

• 1939: Withdrawal of Permanent Army staff from Militia, resulting in the closing of regimental detachments while school-based units faced shortages in staff and equipment.

• 1942-1946: Cadet units received increased Army support. By 1944, public funding for uniforms was permitted. By May 1946, cadet activities became organized by the Army.

Cadet Structure Evolution:

• 1949-1951: Cadet units began to affiliate with Citizen Military Forces. During this time, the term "Australian Cadet Corps" became official, and cadet brigades with Regular army staff were established until the mid-70s when disbanded by the Whitlam Labour Government.

• 1976: Corps was reinstated with a new focus on community-based units rather than school-based ones, emphasizing training limitations and costs for cadets.

• 2001: Renaming to "Australian Army Cadets"; becoming part of the Australian Defence Force Cadets (ADFC) by July 1, 2016.

• February 1, 2017: Formation of Headquarters Australian Defence Force Cadets to manage ADFC policy.

Radio Communication Structure

• Structure:

  • Bold indicates the section or secco,

  • Italics represent 0A.

• Examples of radio communication:

  1-3C this is 0A over 0A 
  this is 1-3C over 1-3C 
  this is 0A, LOCSTAT over. 

• Replace spaces with relevant requests and responses, maintaining clarity in communication.

Prowords Used in Radio Communication

• Acknowledged: Acknowledgment of receipt of a communication.

• Out: End of communication.

• Wilco: Will comply; or Roger.

• Over: Ending the transmission and awaiting a response.

• Wait: Request to hold the line.

• Break break: Indicates a pause to communicate an urgent message.

• I say again: Redundant clarification of a previous message.

NATO Phonetic Alphabet

Navigation Techniques

Types of Bearings:

• Grid Bearings: The bearings taken directly from a map.

• Magnetic Bearings: Appropriately modified grid bearings post calculation using Grid Magnetic Variation (GMS) and Magnetic Grid Angle (MGA).

• Magnetic Back Bearings: The opposite of magnetic bearings, used for reverse navigation.

Grid References:

• 6 Figure vs 4 Figure:

  • 6 Figure: Provides a more accurate location, example 123 456. The 3 and 6 denote significant figures.

  • 4 Figure: Less specific, provides a grid square only.

Mils:

• Total of 6400 mils in a full circle; 3200 mils denotes half a circle. To convert mils to degrees, the formula is:
  $ext{Degrees} = rac{ ext{Mils}}{6400} imes 360$.

• For example, converting 3200 mils yields:
  $rac{3200}{6400} = 0.5, ext{then } 0.5 imes 360 = 180$, thus 3200 mils = 180 degrees.

First Aid Protocol

• Communication with Patient:

  • Ask, "Can you hear me?" and "What is your name?"

  • Always ensure the area is safe before proceeding.

• Response Check:

  • Check patient responsiveness by asking their name or squeezing their shoulders. If unresponsive, call for help.

• Action if Unresponsive:

  • Ensure comfort and monitor response.

  • Call emergency services (triple zero or 000).

CPR Steps:

• CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation):

  • Initiate CPR with 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. Continue until assistance arrives or the patient recovers.

Defibrillation:

• Apply a defibrillator if available, adhering to voice prompts for application.

Situational Judgement: Response Protocol

• Example Scenario: If Cadet Varsamidis is bitten by a snake and unable to walk, as a section commander, decisive action is required, such as calling for medical assistance immediately.

Movement Tactics

Tactical Movement by Day and Night

• 5 S and M: A mnemonic indicating key considerations during movement include:

  • Shape, Shadow, Surface, Silhouette, Spacing, Movement.

Field Signals

• Deploy: Extend the arm and wave at shoulder level.

• Advance: Arm swung from the rear to the front below shoulder level with direction indicated by pointing.

• Halt: Arm raised at shoulder level with an open palm.

• Enemy: Thumb pointed down from clenched fist, indicating enemy presence.

• All Clear: Thumb pointed up from a clenched fist, indicating safe or all clear to proceed.

SMEAC - Patrol Planning Structure

• Situation: What is currently happening in the operational context.

• Mission: Clear articulation of what the operation entails, including reiterating important points.

• Execution: Detailed explanation of how the mission will be carried out, including phases and plans.

• Admin/Logistics: Essential supplies and equipment to be brought, such as rations and water.

• Command: Overview of who is in command and the chain of command within the patrol.

Conclusion

• The Australian Army Cadets offer structured military-style training emphasizing discipline, teamwork, and personal development. Through established ranks, historical background, communication protocols, navigation techniques, first aid, and tactical planning, cadets are prepared for a variety of scenarios.