The next generation of soldiers brainstormed and footslogged their way through the 2009 CA’s Challenge, Major (AAC) Ben Robinson writes.

 

With the pride of their units and their states on the line, 80 Cadets from all over Australia converged on Holsworthy Barracks, Sydney to take up this year’s Chief of Army Challenge from March 5-8.

 

“The CA’s Challenge is the most prestigious award we can win as cadets,” Cadet WO2 Lucy Dixon, of South Australia, said before the contest.

 

The main honours this year went to the team from South Queensland while the North Queensland team took out the RSM-A Trophy for Drill.

 

The cadets formed up in teams of 10, representing the eight Australian Army Cadet regions across the country.

 

They were required to assist in a mock mission conducting surveillance operations on “alleged criminal activities”, starting with a night insertion.  Each section was to navigate to an area of operations and, from there, begin their operations.  Throughout the night the cadets had to report back any observations they made while remaining undetected.  They then had to pack-march to a range shoot.

 

“The challenge was a big eye opener to see how different everyone’s leadership styles are,” Cadet Under Officer Rachel Clatcherty, of South Queensland, said. “The most challenging part for me was the shooting.”

 

Assessment of the cadets had begun at the moment of their insertion into the challenge and they were watched closely as their position was constantly probed by “criminals” in the area.  Intelligence collected by the cadets lead them to be relocated to the Holsworthy obstacle course, which they had to complete before being able to continue on to the next stage.

 

Cadet WO1 Michael Mani, WA Cadet RSM, said the obstacle course was a highlight of the weekend.  “It pushed each of the section members to their limits and also brought them together as teams, as they had to understand each others strengths and weaknesses to achieve their goals,” he said.

 

Presenting the awards, Chief of Army Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie said he saw the cadets display the qualities of teamwork, discipline and mateship.  He said they were the next generation of the ADF and they were exactly the calibre of people the Army wanted.

 

“It was impressive to see the dedication of the Cadets and the determination of the teams,” he said.