Australian Navy Cadets

ANC ranks

Ranks of the Australian Navy Cadets are divided into staff ranks and cadets ranks. Volunteers do not become staff until appointed by the ANC.

Staff ranks

Officer of Cadets (OOC) Ranks

Insignia
Rank	Sub Lieutenant ANC	Lieutenant ANC	Lieutenant Commander ANC	Commander ANC	Captain ANC
Abbreviation	SBLT, ANC	LEUT, ANC	LCDR, ANC	CMDR, ANC	CAPT, ANC

Instructor of Cadets (IOC) Ranks

Insignia
Rank	Provisional Instructor ANC	Able Seaman ANC (Inactive rank)	Leading Seaman ANC (Inactive rank)	Petty Officer ANC	Chief Petty Officer ANC	Warrant Officer ANC (Inactive rank)
Abbreviation	PIANC	ABANC	LSANC	POANC	CPOANC	WOANC

Example of Use (officer); LCDR Joe Blogg, ANC
Example of Use (Instructor); POANC Joe Blogg

Cadet Ranks

Insignia
Rank	Cadet Recruit	Cadet Seaman	Cadet Able Seaman	Cadet Leading Seaman	Cadet Petty Officer	Cadet Chief Petty Officer	Cadet Warrant Officer	Midshipman ANC (inactive rank)
Abbreviation	CDTRCT	CDTSMN	CDTAB	CDTLS	CDTPO	CDTCPO	CDTWO	MIDN, ANC

Example of Use; CDTPO Joe Bloggs

Former national commanders and directors general

The basic naval reserve cadet (NRC) command structure prior to 2001 was:

Director of Naval Reserves and Cadets (DNRC) was a RANR Officer in Canberra who had overall authority of the Naval Reserve Cadets. Each state had a Senior Officer Naval Reserve Cadets (SONRC) who answered to the LNA or Local Naval Authority usually the Commanding Officer (CO) of the establishment on which the NRCHQ of that state resided. A Cadet Liaison Officer (CLO), usually a RANR Officer, was situated in HMAS Cairns, HMAS Moreton, HMAS Watson, HMAS Lonsdale, HMAS Encounter, HMAS Huon and HMAS Leeuwin (all shore bases at the time). The CLO had responsibility for the liaising between the NRC and RAN in their state. There was no national HQ or national staff until the ANC was established in 2001.

Prior to 2001 the ANC did not have the title or position 'Director General ANC', instead the overall Commander's position was called 'Director of Reserves Navy' which was a RAN – RANR position.

Courses and Skills

Cadets learn teamwork and leadership skills, and put these into practice at regular weekly parades. Cadets also have the opportunity to attend training camps for the purpose of promotion in rank, standard training, or to gain additional qualifications.

TS Hobart, a dedicated band unit, also offers musical activities as well as the normal cadet curriculum.

ANC and RAN Twinning Program

All ANC units can participate in sea rides on Royal Australian Navy ships as part of the "Twinning" program, an initiative to provide a link between ANC units and RAN ships.^[5]

International Exchanges

As the ANC is part of the International Sea Cadet Association, the opportunity is present for members to go on exchange programs with overseas cadet groups.

ANC and Young Endeavour Youth Scheme

The ANC/Young Endeavour Voyage Scheme is a sailing program for Australian Navy Cadets aged 16 and over, focused on building leadership, teamwork and communication skills through sail training. This scheme is being sponsored by the RAN and extends to 24 Australian Navy Cadets and three ANC staff members the chance to participate in two dedicated voyages on STS Young Endeavour. Sponsorship covers all voyage fees, airfares and accommodation. Nominations are sought from cadets over the age of 16 years and placement is offered to the top 24 cadets who can demonstrate outstanding personal and leadership qualities and who have made a valuable contribution to their local community during the past 12 months.

Over the course of the voyage, 24 Navy Cadets and three ANC staff members learn aspects of sailing a 44-metre, square rigged tall ship on the open sea including climbing the two 30 metre masts, setting sails, navigating, keeping watch, taking the helm and helping in the galley. ANC crew are trained by a professional Royal Australian Navy crew who are there to ensure the highest standards of safety and care.

The YEYS staff lead and run the Ship's usual training, games/sport and activity programs, with all ANC staff and cadets coming under the direction and supervision of the Ship's crew. This is not a military program. ANC staff do not have a leadership role while embarked in STS Young Endeavour and fully participate in the ship's youth development program on an equal footing with the cadets whom they would usually lead. The focus of the voyage is on self-development, the atmosphere is informal and all ship's company and youth crew are addressed on a first name basis.

Specialisations

When Cadets complete the Initial General Training Course (GT), they have the opportunity to go and do a specialisation course. Having a specialisation is not necessary to get promoted to Leading Seamen but having done at least one Annual Continuous Training (ACT) is. Cadets are allowed to have more than one specialisation or category but each cadet will have a primary specialisation. Specialist courses are run on ACTs (as well as GT) which usually happen once a year. The awarding of categories mirrors that of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) even though sailors in the RAN can only gain one rate at any one time. The specialisations are available to cadets from the rank of Able Seaman.

The specialisations available in the Australian Navy Cadets are;

• Seamanship (SMNS)
• Marine Technician (MT)
• Ceremonial and weapons safety (CWS)
• Cook (CK)
• Communications (COM)
• Musician (MUSN)
• Stores (STR)
• Hydrographic Surveyor (HS)

Former specialisations;

• Physical Training Instructor (PTI)
• Cadet Safety Representative (CSR)
• Naval Airman (NA)
• Writer (WTR)

Cadets can also attend an advanced course on most of the above specialisations

Cuff Rates;

CSA (Cadet Special Award) are completed at cadets, camps and ACT (Annual Continuous Training). Cuff rates is a badge you get after completing the course and it is worn on ceremonial uniforms, with a maximum of three to be worn. Cuff rate include;

• Sailing
• Power boating
• Canoeing
• Pulling
• Sailboarding
• Drum Corp
• Bugle Corp
• Duke of Edinburgh Award
• Adventurous Training
• Diving
• Weapons Safety
• Marksmanship
• Parachutist
• First Aid
• Solo Flight

the Adventurous Training Award is run by the Australian Army Cadets and is worn above the readiness badge.

Cadet

The age period of membership as a cadet is twelve turning thirteen on the year of entry, to the day before turning eighteen. After turning eighteen years of age, it is no longer possible to be a member of the ANC as a cadet.^[7] There is no specific recruitment time.

Staff

All cadet units are staffed by paid officers and instructors, although some units may also have volunteer instructors. Adult staff involved in the organisation come from a variety of backgrounds and professions including:

• Teachers
• Members of community organisations
• Ex-cadets
• Parents and community members
• Ex-servicemen and women
• Occupational health and safety consultants
• Specialist personnel such as HR, change or occupational health and safety managers, administrators or finance officers
• People who provide support on a continuing or as required basis^[8]

Some Cadet Staff are appointed for their professional expertise in instruction or administration. Cadets may apply to become Officers or Instructors when they leave the Cadet program.^[8]

The current National Command Authority are;

• Commodore Mark Hill, CSC, RANR – Director General ANCR
• Captain Kerry Rayner, OAM, ANC – National Commander
• Commander Wayne Larsen, ANC – Director of Flotillas
• Commander Lisa Foley, ANC – Director Training
• Commander Martin Blume, ANC - Director Communications and Coordination
• Commander Helen Trigg, ANC – Chairman of the ANC Dispute Resolution Agency