Army Cadets support personal growth at annual Murray Bridge training exercise
Australian Army Cadets from across South Australia are currently in the region for Exercise Rising Sun.
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Australian Army Cadets from across South Australia have arrived in droves at Murray Bridge Training Area for a state training exercise.
The 511 cadets are part of Exercise Rising Sun, a program that offers them unique learning opportunities through a range of mandatory and elective courses.
Lieutenant Colonel (AAC) Brad Erickson said the exercise allowed young people to develop essential life skills like resilience and teamwork.
"It's about personal growth ... and enabling cadets to have that platform to grow," he said.
Participating in the exercise were Regional Cadet Under Officer Harrison Cadd and Cadet Warrant Officer Class One Cooper Davis.
Under Officer Cadd began his journey with the 44 Army Cadet Unit at Hampstead Barracks at Greenacre.
"What I first enjoyed ... was trying all these new programs, going interstate ... and having my mates to do that with," he said.
Since moving into the more senior positions, Under Officer Cadd's reasons for staying in the cadet program had changed, he said.
"I really enjoyed seeing all of these young recruits in the cadet program develop and grow in the span of a week, going from being shy to talk to people to having a huge group of mates by the end of the week," he said.
Cadets are currently completing a range of STEM courses involving robotics, mechanics, engineering, catering, swimming, medical and bomb defusal. Photos: Australian Army Cadets South Australia Brigade.
Supporting the cadets and helping them achieve personal growth was a statement echoed by Warrant Officer Davis, who began his journey with the 49 Army Cadet Unit at Smithfield.
"The fun for me is the giving back, instructing on the leadership courses and being out here mentoring the cadets and just talking to them," he said.
The cadets will finish their courses on Friday, when they will all get together for a final parade and then partake in fun activities throughout the night.
Exercise Rising Sun will finish this Saturday, October 3.
- More photos: Search for Australian Army Cadets – South Australia Brigade on Facebook.
Correction: An earlier version of this story gave an incorrect end date for the exercise.
