204 ACU - Activities

So what do we really do?

204 Army Cadet Unit's (204 ACU) activities fall into a number of categories - Parade nights (weekly training), Weekend Bivouacs (weekend camps), Annual Field Exercise (AFX), Promotional courses and Adventure training.

Some of these activities are run by the unit, and some are run by 22 Battalion (BN) Sydney North (a collection of units within the Sydney North area) or by NSW AAC Bridge (BDE) which incorporates all of the Army Cadet Units in NSW.

So typically at 204 Army Cadet Unit we run three periods of instruction on a Monday night between 1800h (6:00pm) and 2100h (9:00pm). This includes drill, theory or practical lessons and a confirmation activity.

So some of the areas of training are listed below.

Drill

Drill of the highest precision is an exercise in self-discipline, alertness and obedience, qualities that are essential to maintaining the Cadet core values – Courage, Initiative, Leadership. Drill forms a common bond and a unity of spirit and purpose within a team.

It assists in building the confidence between commander and subordinate, which is essential to maintaining high morale. Cadets strive to achieve precision drill.

Field Craft

Fieldcraft, though a seemingly broad term, encompasses a lot of the "army like" aspects of training. This includes camouflage and concealment, field signals, moving in field formations during the day and at night, living in the field, pioneering and patrolling, duties of a sentry, occupying a site including in tactical conditions and so on.

So in other words, this is the fun 'play in the mud' type stuff that even the girls enjoy!

Ratel

So RATEL stands for Radio-Telephone communication. Through this subject cadets will learn how to set up and dismantle types of communication systems including different radios and base stations. They will learn how to communicate effectively on a military monitored network and how to correctly use terminology and prowords.

Communication is very important during our weekend activities and navigational exercises and is a key component to cadet safety which we hold paramount.

Navigation

Imagine being in the middle of nowhere and being able to navigate your way around. Or being "geographically embarassed" and knowing how to work our where you are, and how to get back to base.

These are some of the skills cadets learn. This includes how to read a variety of different types of maps, identify terrain, plan navigational exercises, learn to judge distances, plot bearings and so on.

First Aid

All cadets will learn basic first aid during their basic training. This includes the principles of first aid, DRSABCD, control of bleeding and so on.

In 2014, a more in depth and specialised first aid training will be conducted including patient assessment, bandaging techniques, wound management, basic airway managment, treatment of shock, CPR and the use of AEDs.

Also at 204, most years we offer a subsidised Apply First Aid course run through St John Ambulance for cadets to gain their Apply First Aid certificate.

Recruit/

Induction Training

All recruits need to complete their recruit induction training. This incorporates a range of training from drill to basic fieldcraft. As cadets progress through their training, they become eligible to participate in unit run "Specialised" training as well become cadets with rank and hold a higher leadership position.

So, interested in joining? Click here.