iscover
The pandemic may have prevented ADFA from hosting its annual Open Day in-person, but this hasn't stopped the event from being streamed online. Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester unveiled the move, stating the event “provides more young Australians and their families the opportunity to learn about the military training and academic programs on offer without travelling to Canberra”.
“Each year, the ADFA Open Day attracts tens of thousands of people interested in learning more about the lifestyle, tertiary education and military training on offer at the academy,” said Chester.
“As young people look to take the next step in their lives through further study and building a career, I encourage them to participate in the virtual Open Day and see what Defence has to offer.”
Based in the capital, ADFA is the only accredited university in the country to pay students to obtain a degree – covering the fields of arts, business, science, engineering or technology. While entry remains highly competitive, the institute lays claim the best university teacher-to-student ratio in the country, and a guarantee of job placement upon successful completion.
Each year ADFA welcomes more than 300 new midshipmen and officer cadets to study and train to become the next generation of Navy, Army and Air Force leaders.
Midshipman Will Anderson is a third year Trainee Officer currently attending ADFA. He said military training has changed slightly due to COVID-19.
“I wanted to attend ADFA because I wanted a challenge, I wanted to develop my leadership skills and critical thinking,” MIDN Anderson said.
“In a military context we’re trained that anything can change [in] a heart-beat. This has been an opportunity for us to develop those skills and put them into practice.”
MIDN Anderson will graduate from ADFA this year and has aspirations to protect peace and stability, managing close-knit teams to achieve essential outcomes for Defence and Australia.
“In 10 years all going well I hope to be in the operations room of a warship as a Principal Warfare Officer specialising in air warfare,” said MIDN Anderson.
“ADFA has been the best three years of my life. I’ve learned so much about myself as well as leading people.”
Military Instructor, Army Warrant Officer Class Two, Damien Timms said, “ADFA is unique in the sense it combines academic training through the University of NSW with a military training component that develops young leaders.
“I encourage young people to apply for ADFA as it provides great job security, education and rewarding challenges."
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Defence Connect a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Defence Connect as a preferred news source.