Bushfires inspire cadet to join the Army
For Springwood local, Australian Army Officer Cadet James Boidin, the experience of living through the 2013 Blue Mountains bushfires inspired his decision to join the Army.
CAPTION: Officer Cadet James Boidin at the Australian Defence Force Academy.
“Growing up in Springwood, I learned the importance of mateship and sticking together through adversity,” Officer Cadet Boidin said.
“I wanted to join the Army as it gave me the opportunity to develop my character and leadership to become a person of high morals, have greater influence on people and develop skillsets, which can be used into the future.”
The first step in Officer Cadet Boidin’s Army career came to a close when he joined 300 Navy, Army and Air Force classmates as they graduated from the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) on December 6.
After finishing his high schooling at Winmalee High School in 2017, Officer Cadet Boidin joined the Army in early 2018
He commenced military training at ADFA in Canberra while simultaneously studying towards a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of New South Wales Canberra.
A highlight of Officer Cadet Boidin’s time at ADFA was the academy’s Leadership Challenge Two, in which second-year trainee officers were put through their paces in the field.
“We were faced with constant adversity and challenges that would not have been possible to complete without the support of everyone in the team,” Officer Cadet Boidin said.
“Conducted at Jervis Bay training area, I could not have picked a more glorious place to spend two weeks of arduous training.”
Officer Cadet Boidin said he entered the academy with an open mind and a desire to get involved.
“If you join with a positive attitude and the right mindset, you will set yourself up for success and develop positively,” Officer Cadet Boidin said.
“ADFA is the right place for motivated and determined people willing to take that extra step in developing to become the best version of themselves.”
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