National Adventure Training Award 2010

National Adventure Training Award 2010

More than 100 teenagers from around Australia will be swapping thoughts of chocolate eggs and hot cross buns for something decidedly more demanding this Easter.

The teenagers are Australian Army Cadets (AAC) converging on Tasmania for the nationally conducted Adventure Training Award (ATA) from April 3-10.

The ATA is the highest individual AAC accolade available to cadets. Over the week the cadets will be assessed on navigation, first aid, communications, field-craft, initiative, marksmanship, abseiling, physical fitness and endurance in the Buckland Military Training Area, north of Hobart.

Just to get to Tasmania meant first being nominated by their individual units and then passing a barrier test that gave them a small taste of what they can expect at ATA.

The officer conducting the award, Lieutenant Colonel (AAC) Don Shearman, said the award challenged cadets as individuals and as members of a team.

“The Adventure Training Award is designed to be the ultimate test for those cadets who have already proven themselves with their field skills, leadership, initiative, self-reliance and ability to work as part of a team,” Lieutenant Colonel (AAC) Shearman said.

“As young men and women, cadets have the opportunity to learn and develop a number of different life skills, and also develop enduring qualities such as leadership, the importance of teamwork and the value of mutual respect. The ATA is a perfect chance to bring all these qualities together.”

The AAC is a youth development program, conducted by the Australian Army in cooperation with the community. The program is designed to benefit the nation by developing the individual, their community and the Australian Army.

Media Note:
Media wishing to attend the National Adventure Training Award event on 05 April 2010 should advise Public Affairs Manager, Captain Cam Ward, by phone no later than 9am on the day, and be at the front gate of Buckland Military Training Area no later than 10am to obtain the necessary security passes to enter the area. Media wishing to obtain entry are required to bring photo ID, preferably a driver’s license.

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