6 Wing produces leaders for today and tomorrow

No 6 Wing Air Force Cadets from South Australia and Mildura recently completed a range of promotion courses, and are now set to take on increased leadership responsibilities within their parent squadrons.

No 6 Wing conducted the 2017 Promotion Courses at RAAF Edinburgh from late December into January.

Incoming Commander of the AAFC, Group Captain (AAFC) Mark Dorward, was the Reviewing Officer for the end-of-course parade held at RAAF Edinburgh on Saturday 14 January – his first official engagement since assuming command of the AAFC.

Himself a former cadet, GPCAPT (AAFC) Dorward has told the AAFC in his Commander’s Directive that he knows first-hand “the enormous positive influences that the AAFC brings to developing our youth for tomorrow’s challenges”.

Promotion courses are a very demanding but highly rewarding part of the AAFC experience, where selected members undergo a series of lessons and assessments to gain the qualification to advance in rank.

Lessons and assessments which the candidates complete include Leadership, Instructional Technique, Service Knowledge, Drill and Ceremonial, Promotional Attributes and more.

Nine candidates undertook the course to qualify for eligibility to be promoted to Cadet Under Officer (CUO). Dux of the course was Cadet Flight-Sergeant Kyle Roberts (609 Squadron, Warradale Barracks).

Five Senior NCOs underwent training and assessment to qualify for eligibility to be promoted to Cadet Warrant Officer (CWOFF). Dux of the course was Cadet Flight-Sergeant Kelsey Wurfel (601 Squadron, Keswick Barracks).

A total of 32 Cadet Corporals undertook the SNCO Course seeking eligibility to be promoted to Cadet Sergeant (CSGT). Dux of Course A was Cadet Corporal Alexander Burrow (609 Squadron, Warradale Barracks), and Dux of Course B was Cadet Corporal Callum Rowett (617 Squadron, Unley). Cadet Corporals Lachlan Turlan and Josef Gerstenmayer from 623 Squadron (Mildura) received the Encouragement Awards for Courses A and B respectively.

An additional 24 Leading Cadets attended the JNCO Course seeking eligibility to be promoted to Cadet Corporal (CCPL). Dux of the course was Leading Cadet Tanielle Edwards from 605 (‘City of Onkaparinga’) Squadron, and the Encouragement Award was presented to Leading Cadet Blake Tugwell (620 Squadron, Kadina).

GPCAPT(AAFC) Dorward praised the cadets for “upholding the highest standards”.

“I too have been a Cadet, and I have been exactly where all of you stand now,” he said.

He also noted that his service in the Air Training Corps (as it was then) was a life-changing experience, but he didn’t realise that until later in life.

He told the Cadets on parade that they were a “source of pride, for yourselves and your families”.

He also acknowledged the support of families and supporters, and thanked them for their support and encouragement.

While the Australian Air Force Cadets is certainly one of the most effective and satisfying youth programs available, one of its greatest outcomes is setting up young adults for life.

These full-time, intensive leadership training courses give Cadets skills in leadership and decision-making, initiative, self-discipline, time-management, public speaking, management and administration, and operational planning.

In particular, graduates of the Cadet Warrant Officer and Cadet Under Officer promotion courses qualify for award of the national TAFE Certificate III in Business Administration.

Pilot Officer (AAFC) Paul Rosenzweig, 6 Wing Public Affairs & Communication Officer, said “These graduates will now return to their parent squadrons to take up leadership roles. There is no doubt we will hear more of them in a few years’ time when they take up leadership roles in Defence or in the community”.

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