International Youth Day is the ideal time to celebrate the significant contribution made by the Australian Defence Force Cadets (ADFC) to youth development, local communities and Defence, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Senator Sandy Macdonald said today. "This organisation of 23,000 Navy, Army and Air Force cadets and 2,500 cadet staff gives young Australians self-esteem, leadership and survival skills that set them up for life, all while having fun in an adventurous military-like setting. Some of Australia's highest achievers are former cadets," Senator Macdonald said.

"While not members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), cadets are often the sole visible uniformed presence in local communities, particularly in regional and remote areas, and often provide a contribution to ANZAC and Remembrance Day ceremonies.” Senator Macdonald said the ADFC is also a major contributor to the ADF recruitment talent and leadership pool.

“From 2000-2004 cadets made up over 10 percent of ADF applications and resulted in 11 percent of enlistments. Of the Australian Defence Force Academy students that have enlisted over the last couple of years, studies suggest about 35 to 40 percent are former cadets," he said. In addition, former cadets are more likely to stay in the ADF and reach senior ranks in the permanent and reserve forces. The 2003 ADF census revealed more than a quarter of the senior officer ranks in the permanent forces and 45 percent in the reserve forces are former cadets. While former cadets are more likely to enlist as officers, they are also well represented at the senior levels in other ranks.

However, cadet achievement is not just limited to the military. The 2003 census revealed that about five percent of Defence civilians are former cadets. Of that, former cadets are 60 percent more likely to be at the senior middle management level and three times more likely to be at the senior executive level."The ADFC makes a significant contribution to Australia at so many levels and the Government is deeply committed to this youth development organisation,” Senator Macdonald said.

“Since 2001, we have guaranteed additional annual funding to expand and improve the cadet and cadet staff experience through the Cadet Enhancement Program. To date, the program has improved accommodation, boots and uniforms, communication and information management, safety and access for Indigenous youth,” he said.“Our aim is to make cadets a challenging and rewarding military-like experience," Senator Macdonald said.