The City of Auckland Cadet Unit belongs to the New Zealand Cadet Corp (32 Units nation wide) which is part of the New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF). The N.Z.C.F. is run by the New Zealand Defence Force as a youth organisation with a unique military theme. The New Zealand Defence Force supplies the Cadet Corp with its Training Syllabus, uniforms, expertise, and equipment such as packs, trucks and radios.

One common misconception that should be addressed immediately is that we are a recruiting pool for the Regular Force, this is not true. It is natural that those wishing to join the military do join up with our Unit, but there is no mandatory serving time within the unit, and the members can not be called up to the Regular Force.

TRAINING:
The Cadet Corp has aims to emphasize personal development and provide training programs to accomplish the following aims:

Foster a spirit of adventure and team work, and developing those qualities and skills essential to being good citizens and lleaders. Providing challenging and disciplined training activites that will be useful in either service or civilian life.

These training programs include activities that are not available to other youth organisations, adventurous, challenging, and a lot of fun. Training consists of a mix of theory lessons before it is put into practise in the field.

Leadership and Initiative: Different approaches, techniques and strategies for organising people to get practical tasks accomplished. Also involved is learning how to give lessons, then in turn lead others and pass your knowledge on. You usually start learning this in your second year.

Drill/Public Parades: Used on every training night parade as well as many formal parades in the public eye. Every year the Unit participates in parades at the Auckland Domain and the New Lynn RSA. In recent years we have been part of several parades up Queens Street for various events.

Fitness: Comes in many forms in the activities that we do. As we have limited time each week we concentrate on teamwork events and sports which also involve fitness, rather than designing events with the sole aim of improving fitness. For example, we generally would organise a team event rather than going for a run. One of those that is important for teamwork, with different strategies, as well as being physical, is the annual Tug-O-War competition at the Cadet Skills Competition.

Confidence Courses: We concentrate on teamwork and leadership to get everyone through the course in the quickest possible time.

Search And Rescue/First Aid: In the first year training, cadets are involved in the team for S&R, then in the second year start learning the techniques of FIrst AId, from someone suitably qualified.

Bushcraft Survival: One of our biggest areas of training, 1st year involves basic skills to survive in the bush, shelter with a hoochie, rations and clothing. 2nd year becomes more detailed with eating from the bush, tracking, advanced shelter and other such skills.

Weapon Safety/Shooting: Cadets are taught weapons safety to a degree similar to that of a firearms license whilst also taught commands and sequence of firing. Cadets must pass a one-on-one test before firing.

Navigation: This involves increasing levels of skill as your time in the Unit increases. It starts with basic work using a compass and map grid references is similar fashion to orienteering then builds up to route selection for a team and the use of GPS.

Abseiling/Caving/High Ropes: The Unit occasionally goes abseiling and caving at various sites such as Motutapu Island and Waitomo. Suitably qualified and experienced people lead these events.

Radio-Telephone Procedure: A favourite of many cadets, being taught international standards of call signs, words and the phonetic alphabet. We usually use the Army ANPRC 77 sets or privately owned VHF handhelds for this.

WHO CAN JOIN:
Both male and female youths that are between the ages of 13 and 16 can sign up to the unit. Those who are younger may also sign up if they are attending Secondary School. Once within the Unit, cadets can stay up to the ages of 18-20, depending on their role in the within the Unit. They may then may receive permission to stay in the unit longer, to work towards becoming an officer.

LENGTH OF SERVICE WITH THE UNIT:
This varies for each cadet, staying from a year for some (to learn basic skills and attend basic camps), or up to the age of 20, and possibly beyond for others. After the first year cadets begin to learn more advanced skills, leadership and then in turn teach the cadets under them.

TRAINING TIMES:
The Unit parades every Wednesday evening during the school term at Montet Cecilia School,72 Hillsborough Road, Mt Roskill from 6.15pm to 9pm.

Training also consists of weekend activites, which are a mix of compulsory and optional events. These can be parades such as those on Anzac Day, or Saturday or Sunday sports days through to Friday to Sunday bush and barrack camps. We usually have 2 to 3 weekend camps and 1 or 2 day events per 10 week term.

Also available to those who are enthusiastic, team players and those that show that they would like to advance can go on promotion and advanced bushcraft courses, held at various locations around the country, as far south as Christchurch. These courses are run at no cost to the cadets. Cadets are selected for these courses in their second or third year, and are flown to their destination by the Air Force.

ENROLMENT AND UNIFORMS:
Cadets must turn up for a four week trial period to determine if they would like to stay with the Unit. They are then issued with a uniform and enrolled in the Unit. Uniforms are issued to cadets but remain property of the NZ Army. Cadets are taught how to look after and wear their Uniform, which is not to be worn outside of cadet activites, and returned when they leave the Unit.

FEES:
Term fees are levied on each Cadet to assist with the running of the Unit as we do not receive any financial assistance from the NZ Cadet Forces. The current joining fee is a once only payment of $75, and then fees are $20 per term - as set by the Parent Support Committee.
The cost of weekend activities can vary, but they generally range between $10 and $20.

THE GOALS
Besides have a good time and meeting other people, the N.Z. Cadet Corp training programs are based on achievement and the pursuit of excellence - to help cadets develop a positive outlook, maturity, self-confidence, leadership and belief in team work and in their ability to reach their goals.
The Training we provide will give the cadets the ability to display initiative and leadership, as well as many other skills that will benefit them in any career for years to come.

ANYTHING WE'VE MISSED?
See the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section before you contact us.