About 300 high school graduates from across Australia were this week appointed as midshipmen and officer cadets in the Australian Defence Force (ADF). 

Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Warren Snowdon said it is fantastic to have these new members and their families joining the ADF community, making this a defining moment in their lives. 

“The young men and women being appointed this week have been through a highly competitive selection process and have proven that they have potential to become future leaders in the Navy, Army and Air Force,” Mr Snowdon said. 

“Not only have they been accepted into the ADF, but also into the University of New South Wales, Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy (UNSW Canberra at ADFA).  

“They are about to embark on exciting and challenging careers where over the next three to four years, they will undertake a challenging program of military training, leadership development and academic studies.  

“I offer my congratulations and best wishes to everyone involved and to all the ADFA appointees across Australia,” he said. 

ADFA offers an exciting, rewarding and challenging experience for successful applicants. As midshipmen and officer cadets they undertake a three-year military and leadership training program while studying undergraduate degrees in Arts, Business, Engineering, Information Technology, Science or Technology through the UNSW Canberra at ADFA.  

They are paid to study, have their tuition fees paid by the Australian Defence Force and, if successful in their studies and training, graduate with a guaranteed job in the Navy, Army or Air Force. 

Applications for entry in 2014 are now being accepted. 

For information about a place at ADFA and a career in the Navy, Army or Air Force, www.defencejobs.gov.au

or call 13 19 01.

Imagery is available from: http://images.defence.gov.au/12132502 

Media contacts:

Marcus Butler (Minister Snowdon) (02) 6277 7820 or 0417 917 796

Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999