256 Army Cadet Unit Cootamundra

256 Army Cadet Unit Cootamundra 256 ACU Cootamundra is an Australian Army Cadet unit located in Cootamundra, NSW. Sharing, liking or commenting does not equal endorsement.

A few weeks ago now, back on the 14 March, the Cootamundra Cadet Unit helped Army celebrate its 125th Birthday by travel...
07/04/2026

A few weeks ago now, back on the 14 March, the Cootamundra Cadet Unit helped Army celebrate its 125th Birthday by travelling to Wagga where we attended the celebrations put on by 1 RTB (Recruit Training Battalion) from Kapooka Blamey Barracks - home of the soldier. Afterwards we travelled out to Forest Hill for lunch and a visit to the RAAF Museum.

The master and the apprentice. On our cadet activities we have an adult in all the key roles required and they are under...
29/03/2026

The master and the apprentice.

On our cadet activities we have an adult in all the key roles required and they are understudied by an appropriate rank cadet. Understudy is not really the correct word as the reality is the cadet does the role and the adult guides and mentors the cadet in that role. On this activity our Key Roles were Officer In Charge (OIC), Safety Officer (SO), Food Management Officer (FMO), Heath Officer (HO), Training Officer (TO). Each of these roles was primarily conducted by a Cadet at the following ranks:
OIC - Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2),
SO -Sergeant (SGT),
FMO - Corporal (CPL),
HO - Lance Corporal (LCPL),
TO - SGT.

This weekend the adult FMO had his work cut out for him as he was also supervising a 2nd Lieutenant (2LT) under training in the role, fortunately he was a very experienced Captain and took it all in his stride.

Pictured are the OIC’s. In the first image they are putting on their best Warrant Officer smile, and in the second they are putting on their best Cadet Recruit smile.

All the cadet leadership team worked to an excellent standard this weekend and required very little input by the adult mentors. Cadets are taught to always come to the adult with a solution, not a problem when issues arise as they invariably do. In the vast majority of cases the cadets solution requires little to no variation by the adult. As much as possible the adults will let the cadets run with their solutions even if it has a risk of failure, as long as safety is not compromised, as failure is really just a learning opportunity, and what the cadet discovers for themselves is a lesson they only need to learn once.

For Cadets, By Cadets. A rising generation under a rising sun. Respect, Integrity, Courage, Improvement and Initiative, Teamwork.

And the winner is…The successes were celebrated on our closing parade with awards given for:Recruit Course Student of Me...
29/03/2026

And the winner is…

The successes were celebrated on our closing parade with awards given for:
Recruit Course Student of Merit and Runner Up,
Lance Corporal Course Student of Merit and Runner Up,
Best Junior Non-Commissioned Officer,
Best Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, and
Best Adult Cadet Staff.

Sorry, names withheld to protect digital footprint, we generally only post a name or an image but not normally together.

Practicing for the closing parade. Most cadet activities finish with a parade where the cadets get to strut their stuff,...
29/03/2026

Practicing for the closing parade. Most cadet activities finish with a parade where the cadets get to strut their stuff, build on that sense of belonging and camaraderie, and celebrate the successes. Here are examples of Banner Drill, Sword Drill, and pre parade form up.

Who would have thought marching could be so difficult, it’s just walking with style isn’t it? Well, No! Like saluting, a...
29/03/2026

Who would have thought marching could be so difficult, it’s just walking with style isn’t it? Well, No! Like saluting, a formed body of cadets marching well is quite difficult to master, but when you see it done well it can make you quite emotional it’s just awesome to see. Most cadets tend to overthink when they learn how to march properly and they basically forget how to walk. Instruction on marching takes a lot of patience by the instructor and also gives you plenty of laughs when you see cadets square gating (when the arm and leg on the same side move together instead of opposite). Here the cadets are marking time i.e. marching on the spot with out going anywhere.

Cadet training weekend closing parade today 12:50pmThe parade will commence at 12:50pm this afternoon, community members...
28/03/2026

Cadet training weekend closing parade today 12:50pm

The parade will commence at 12:50pm this afternoon, community members are welcome to come down and watch from the nature strip or the driveway on the southern boundary of the depot.

It might seem like an obvious skill but saluting properly is more difficult than it looks. Attention to detail is key fo...
28/03/2026

It might seem like an obvious skill but saluting properly is more difficult than it looks. Attention to detail is key for a proper salute. Long way up, short way down, regimental hold timing, hold fingers together, wrist straight, proper positioning of hand in front of face, it’s quite technical. Then add in salutes to the right, left, on the march, general salute, and when you get to senior cadet levels there’s salutes with rifle, cane, sword. Here the recruits are holding their salute and receiving individual fault correction.

When the cadet staff are not instructing, the senior cadets keep them engaged by providing them a starter to new skills ...
28/03/2026

When the cadet staff are not instructing, the senior cadets keep them engaged by providing them a starter to new skills they will learn when they go on there next promotion course. In the first few shots here cadets are receiving instruction on cane drill, i.e. the proper use of the cane during drill movements as this is added complexity to the standard drill. No, we don’t use the cane as corporal punishment (we don’t punish cadets at all) it’s a symbol of a cadet’s status in the company and is normally only carried by one cadet even though others may hold the same rank. This symbol lets all personnel know the bearer of the cane has added responsibilities as the CSM (Company/Course Sergeant Major), even officers need to listen to the CSM’s instructions.

In the other photo we have a studious cadet committed to his high level maths course education and he has been allowed the time to study and prepare for upcoming assessments. This is a common adjustment we make for cadets when on activities and allows the cadets to continue to participate in their beloved cadet program and combine their study time providing them a good balance of work and play.

Time for the recruits to start preparing their hootchies (Army speak for tent) for their first night under the stars. Th...
28/03/2026

Time for the recruits to start preparing their hootchies (Army speak for tent) for their first night under the stars. They are ably assisted by the Cadets doing their Junior Leadership Course who are getting their first taste at mentoring and coaching. As can be seen there was success in the end with some nicely erected hootchies. The Junior Leadership Course candidates and most of the adult staff will be braving the cold with the recruits tonight also. Team effort.

First time cooking a hot ration pack meal by these hungry recruits. They are taught the proper and safe use of solid fue...
28/03/2026

First time cooking a hot ration pack meal by these hungry recruits. They are taught the proper and safe use of solid fuel stoves with Hexamethylenetramine tablets also known as Hexamine and usually shortened to Hexi tabs because who has time to say the full name anyway, especially when you’re hungry. These stoves and fuel option are great as they burn quite hot and last just long enough to boil the water in the kidney cup with a complete burn so there’s no residual ash, and the light steel construction of the stove means that by the time the cadet has eaten their meal it’s completely cooled and they can pack it away.

You’ll be pleased to know that the impeccable instruction meant there were no burns experienced today.

At the end of a lesson on movement in the field the recruits practice their new skills with a game of traffic light 🚦 in...
28/03/2026

At the end of a lesson on movement in the field the recruits practice their new skills with a game of traffic light 🚦 in the day. You can see the cadets on the right really having fun getting down and dirty doing a leopard 🐆 crawl.

Address

Drill Hall, 316-320 Parker Street
Cootamundra, NSW
2590

Opening Hours

Monday 6pm - 9pm

Telephone

0429693095

Website

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