About Us

Introduction to TS Adelaide Australian Navy Cadets

The Australian Navy Cadets is a voluntary youth organisation sponsored by the Royal Australian Navy for young men and women aged between the ages of 13 to 19 years.  

Communities around Australia in towns and cities have sought recognition to establish Australian Navy Cadet Units in their local areas and TS Adelaide  is one of them.  Sponsorship is offered by the Navy in training resources and equipment, whiles the local community is responsible to acquire a Unit Headquarters such as ours at TS Adelaide in Port Adelaide.  TS Adelaide is identified by its own name and is staffed by volunteer Naval Reserve Cadet Officers and Instructors.

Cadets from TS Adelaide enjoy learning the skills associated with citizenship, leadership and seamanship.   They also have the opportunity to experience training programmes in vocational specialist fields, such as ceremonial parade and gunnery, marine engineering, communications, catering, physical training and adventure training.   More importantly out Cadets are encouraged to explore their full potential as valued members of a team, to develop confidence, pride and self discipline in a supportive environment.

The qualities and skills an Australian Navy Cadet develops become real assets in pursuing a successful career, whether it be in the Navy or the commercial world.

TS Adelaide Cadets on board a sailing 
vessel under the Birkenhead Bridge

Aims of the Australian Navy Cadet

TS Adelaide encourage, by predominately voluntary effort, to better equip young people for the community life by fostering initiative, leadership, discipline and loyalty through training programmes and experiences, as well as to stimulate an interest in the Royal Australian Navy.

TS Adelaide Cadets on board a Naval Vessel
learning about the Navy

Organisation

TS Adelaide is part of the Australian Services Cadet Scheme.  As such, its members are not part of the Australian Defence Force and therefore not liable for military services except in a time of national emergency as an Australian Citizen.

The Officers and Instructors appointed by the Royal Australian Navy for voluntary duty with the Australian Navy Cadets are selected for their experience in youth leadership and are able to dedicate an ongoing commitment to the Australian Navy Cadets training programmes.  Some staff are appointed for their professional expertise in areas of instruction or administration.

Each local area Unit has an Officer appointed as the Commanding Officer (TS Adelaide's Commanding Officer is Lieutenant Bernie FAIRHURST) who is responsible for the activities of our Unit, in accordance with laid down procedures.  Units are grouped in State Areas and administered by an Area Headquareters.  A Senior Officer of an Area is responsible through the Local Naval Authority, Senior Naval Officer, for the overall administration.

TS Adelaide Navy Cadets onboard
HMAS Perth