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Opinion: The Australian government has released the outcomes of the Defence Base Rationalisation Review.
All locations identified for divestment have now been announced, and every affected Australian Army Cadets unit has been contacted directly.
The locations impacted include Timor Barracks in NSW, Leeuwin Barracks in Western Australia, Warradale Barracks in South Australia, Newland Barracks in Victoria, Victoria Barracks in Sydney, Milne Bay Training Depot in Queensland, Burnie Training Depot in Tasmania, Bridgewater Training Depot in Tasmania, Lancer Barracks in NSW, Hampstead Barracks in South Australia, Derwent Barracks in Tasmania, DSTG Scottsdale in Tasmania, Irwin Barracks in Western Australia, Woodside Barracks in South Australia, Youngtown Depot in Tasmania and Kokoda Barracks in Tasmania.
I want to reaffirm that no cadet unit is closing.
Our focus now is working with each affected unit to identify practical, locally appropriate arrangements that sustain the delivery of the program.
In many regional and remote areas, relocation to another Defence site will not be feasible. Local, community-based solutions will therefore be essential, drawing on the strong relationships many of you have built over years of service.
It is worth noting that most Australian Army Cadet units already operate successfully outside the Defence estate.
We will continue to partner with schools, councils and community organisations to ensure cadets can train safely and remain connected to their communities.
Our mission remains unchanged; delivering a high-quality youth development program across 250 plus units to more than 20,000 young Australians.
Periods of change demand leadership from each of us. This is not only a collective responsibility but an individual one. Every leader, at every level, has a role in setting the tone, maintaining focus, and driving practical solutions.
Our people need steady judgement, clear direction and discipline in how we communicate, especially when there is noise or speculation circulating elsewhere. The cadets will take their cues from us. They deserve leaders who lean in, take responsibility and move the organisation forward.
National and regional headquarters will continue to support affected locations. If you need assistance at any point, please reach out. None of us will work through this alone.
Thank you for your continued commitment to our cadets and the communities we serve.
Brigadier David McCammon has been the Commander of the Australian Army Cadets since January 2025.
He has previously served in senior appointments as Commander 3rd Brigade, Director INDOPAC Operations, Joint Operations Command, Commandant Combined Arms Training Centre; Director Soldier Career Management; senior career adviser SCMA; SO1 Combat in Future Force Development, Army Headquarters; and a secondment to the Force Structure Review Team in 2014, as part of the department’s team that delivered the 2016 Defence white paper.
His staff appointments included Headquarters Training Command where he served as the Staff Officer to the Chief of Staff, and Army Headquarters as Aide de Camp to the Chief of Army.
