The Australian Defence Force Cadets (ADFC) (also known as the Australian Service Cadet Scheme until 2001) consists of three Australian Defence Force affiliated, community-based, youth development organisations of approximately 27,834 cadets and 4,405 cadet staff in 579 units and squadrons across Australia.[citation needed] Coordination of the Australian Defence Force Cadets is via the ADF HQ unit called Reserve and Youth Division, with Commander ADF Cadets - directly accountable to VCDF. The ADFC is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Defence, in partnership with the community.
The Australian Defence Force Cadets have been a large part of the Australian community since the 19th century. After the cadets were re-raised in 1976 the three cadet services were grouped together as the Australian Services Cadet Scheme, beforehand the three organisations were run under the directions of single service policy, in 2001 the name was changed to the Australian Defence Force Cadets as recommended by a review. While the Australian Defence Force Cadets is sponsored by ADF (Australian Defence Force) and runs under a similar rank structure, uniform and training activities, the ADFC is not an official branch of the Defence Force and runs in accordance with the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict which Australia has signed.
Cadet units are referred to differently depending on the parent service. Air Force Cadet units are referred to as Squadrons, Navy Cadet units are referred to as Training Ships and Army Cadet units are referred to as Army Cadet Units.
ADFC Ranks
Officer of Cadets (OOC) ranks
Australian Navy Cadets (ANC)
Insignia
Rank
Captain ANC
Commander ANC
Lieutenant Commander ANC
Lieutenant ANC
Sub Lieutenant ANC
Midshipman ANC
Abbreviation
CAPT, ANC
CMDR, ANC
LCDR, ANC
LEUT, ANC
SBLT, ANC
MIDN, ANC
Australian Army Cadets (AAC)
Insignia
Rank
Colonel AAC
Lieutenant Colonel AAC
Major AAC
Captain AAC
Lieutenant AAC
Second Lieutenant AAC
Abbreviation
COL (AAC)
LTCOL (AAC)
MAJ (AAC)
CAPT (AAC)
LT (AAC)
2LT (AAC)
Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC)
Insignia
Rank
Group Captain (AAFC)
Wing Commander (AAFC)
Squadron Leader (AAFC)
Flight Lieutenant (AAFC)
Flying Officer (AAFC)
Pilot Officer (AAFC)
Abbreviation
GPCAPT(AAFC)
WGCDR(AAFC)
SQNLDR(AAFC)
FLTLT(AAFC)
FLGOFF(AAFC)
PLTOFF(AAFC)
Instructor of Cadets (IOC) ranks
Australian Navy Cadets (ANC)
Insignia
Rank
Warrant Officer ANC (Inactive rank)
Chief Petty Officer ANC (Inactive rank)
Petty Officer ANC (Inactive rank)
Leading Seaman ANC (Inactive rank)
Able Seaman ANC (Inactive rank)
Provisional Instructor ANC (Inactive rank)
Abbreviation
WOANC
CPOANC
POANC
LSANC
ABANC
PIANC
Australian Army Cadets (AAC)
Insignia
Rank
Warrant Officer Class One AAC (No longer in use as of 2020)
Warrant Officer Class Two AAC (No longer in use as of 2020)
Staff Sergeant AAC (Phased out as of 2019)
Sergeant AAC (No longer in use as of 2020)
Corporal AAC (No longer in use as of 2020)
Lance Corporal AAC (No longer in use as of 2020)
Trainee Officer of Cadets (No longer in use as of 2022)
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