Part-time voluntary defence units played an important part in Australia's defence from early colonial days up to World War 2. Since WW2, part-time forces in all three Services have played a secondary role of providing support to more operationally ready and better resourced permanent forces.
Before World War 2, Australia's military forces were essentially part-time militias with a core of permanent personnel. After WW2, in 1948, a voluntary Citizen Military Force (CMF) was re-established with the traditional part-time training obligations of evening parades, weekend bivouacs and an annual training camp. Under the pressure of the Korean War, the CMF was expanded through a compulsory national service scheme which continued until 1959. However, by the end of 1960, CMF strength had fallen to 20,000.
The CMF expanded in numbers between 1965 and 1972 as it provided an alternative to call-up under the selective national service scheme introduced for the Vietnam War. However the abolition of national service in 1972 left the CMF as a rapidly reducing force. The 1974 Millar Report and the 1976 White Paper on Australian Defence both affirmed a role for a volunteer part-time force. This recommendation was accepted by the Australian Government through a commitment to the Army Reserve, which is structured to have a complementary role (as reinforcement and a base for force expansion) to the Regular Army.
The Naval and Air Force Reserves have a more limited role, existing primarily to support the peacetime activities of the much larger Permanent Forces and to fill a number of non-military, professional requirements.
Employment in the Reserves essentially is part-time employment in the Defence Force – in the Army Reserve, the Australian Naval Reserve or the Australian Air Force Reserve. In some cases, a Reservist may be engaged in military activities on a full-time basis, e.g. during a full-time posting in the Reserves or if called out for operational or peacekeeping service.
The Cadet Corps provides an opportunity for voluntary military service by young people under the age of 21 years. Cadet units are generally organised in individual schools. The Cadet Corps comprises the Australian Cadet Corps, the Naval Reserve Cadets and the Air Training Corps.
Cadets are covered by the SRC Act by virtue of a declaration made under S5(6) of the Act.
Cadets were covered under the 1971 Act, with effect from 1 September 1971, by virtue of Regulation 11 made under S7 of that Act.
The Australian Cadet Corps is established by S62 of the Defence Act 1903. Section 62 of the Defence Act 1903 states:
Australian Cadet Corps
62(1) There shall be an Australian Cadet Corps.
62(2) The Australian Cadet Corps shall consist of:
a)persons appointed in accordance with the regulations to be officers in that body
aa)persons appointed in accordance with the regulations to be instructors in that body, and
b)subject to Subsections (5) and (6), persons who volunteer, and are accepted, in accordance with the regulations as cadets in that body.
62(3) A person appointed to be an officer or instructor in the Australian Cadet Corps does not become a member of the Army by virtue of that appointment.
62(4) A cadet in the Australian Cadet Corps is not a member of the Army.
62(5) A person is not entitled to volunteer, or to be accepted, as a cadet unless he:
a)has attained such age as is prescribed, and
b)has not attained the age of 20 years.
62(6) A person ceases to be a cadet when he attains the age of 21 years or such lower age as is prescribed.
62(7) The regulations may make provision for and in relation to the organization, maintenance, regulation, control and discipline of the Australian Cadet Corps, and, in particular, for and in relation to:
a)the periods and conditions of service of members, other than conditions of service with respect to which determinations under Section 58B may be made, and
b)the promotion of members.
62(8) In Subsection (7), 'member' means an officer, instructor or cadet in the Australian Cadet Corps.
62(9) Subject to the regulations, to any determinations in force under Section 58B and to the directions of the Minister, the Chief of Army shall administer the Australian Cadet Corps.
The Naval Reserve Cadets is established by S38 of the Naval Defence Act 1910. Section 38 of the Naval Defence Act 1910 states:
Establishment and constitution of Naval Reserve Cadets
38(1) There is hereby established a body to be known as the Naval Reserve Cadets.
38(2) The Naval Reserve Cadets shall consist of:
a)persons appointed in accordance with the regulations to be officers in that body
b)persons appointed in accordance with the regulations to be instructors in that body, and
c)subject to Subsections (5) and (6), persons who volunteer, and are accepted, in accordance with the regulations as cadets in that body.
38(3) A person appointed to be an officer or instructor in the Naval Reserve Cadets does not become a member of the Navy by virtue of that appointment.
38(4) A cadet is not a member of the Navy.
38(5) A person is not entitled to volunteer, or to be accepted, as a cadet unless he:
a)has attained such age as is prescribed, and
b)has not attained the age of 18 years.
38(6) A person ceases to be a cadet when he attains the age of 19 years.
38(7) The regulations may make provision for or in relation to the organization, maintenance, regulation, control and discipline of the Naval Reserve Cadets and, in particular, for and in relation to the periods and conditions of service of members, other than conditions of service with respect to which determinations under Section 58B of the Defence Act may be made.
38(8) In Subsection (7), 'member' means an officer, instructor or cadet in the Naval Reserve Cadets.
The Air Training Corps is established by S8 of the Airforce Act 1923.
Section 8 of the Airforce Act 1923 states:
Air Training Corps
8(1) There is hereby established a body to be known as the Air Training Corps.
8(2) The Air Training Corps shall consist of:
a)persons appointed in accordance with the regulations to be officers in that body
b)persons appointed in accordance with the regulations to be instructors in that body, and
c)subject to Subsections (5) and (6), persons who volunteer, and are accepted, in accordance with the regulations as cadets in that body.
8(3) A person appointed to be an officer or instructor in the Air Training Corps does not become a member of the Air Force by virtue of that appointment.
8(4) A cadet in the Air Training Corps is not a member of the Air Force.
8(5) A person is not entitled to volunteer, or to be accepted, as a cadet unless he:
a)has attained such age as is prescribed, and
b)has not attained the age of 20 years.
8(6) A person ceases to be a cadet when he attains the age of 21 years or such lower age as is prescribed.
8(7) The regulations may make provision for and in relation to the organization, maintenance, regulation, control and discipline of the Air Training Corps, and, in particular, for and in relation to:
a)the periods and conditions of service of members, other than conditions of service with respect to which determinations under Section 58B of the Defence Act may be made, and
b)the promotion of members.
8(8) In Subsection (7), 'member' means an officer, instructor or cadet in the Air Training Corps.
8(9) Subject to the regulations, to any determinations in force under Section 58B of the Defence Act and to the directions of the Minister, the Chief of Air Force shall administer the Air Training Corps.
The Defence website where a colour page of ranks and insignia's appear can be found at:
http://intranet.defence.gov.au/newstaff/53/3412_1.html [10]
If it is not possible to make a judgment regarding the member's type of service from his or her service records, further information should be obtained from the appropriate Service Personnel Office:
Army personnel |
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Officers DOCM-A R8-8-020 Russell Offices Canberra?ACT?2600 Phone: (02) 6265 4741 Fax: (02) 6265 6028 |
Other Ranks SCMA Victoria Barracks, Melbourne GPO Box 393D Melbourne?VIC?3001 Phone: (03) 9282 5390 Fax: (03) 9282 5978 |
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Air Force personnel |
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Officers (still serving) DPO-AF-FOI Clerk R8-7-014 Russell Offices Canberra?ACT?2600 Phone: (02) 6265 2248 Fax: (02) 6265 1491 |
Airmen and Discharged Officers RAAF Records Queanbeyan Annex Department of Defence Canberra?ACT?2600 Phone: (02) 6266 5857 Fax: (02) 6266 5851 |
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Navy personnel |
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Officers DNOP Department of Defence R8-4-005 Russell Offices Canberra?ACT?2600 Phone: (02) 6265 3335 Fax: (02) 6265 1145 or (02) 6265 1189 |
Sailors Navy Records Queanbeyan Annex Canberra?ACT?2600 Phone: (02) 6266 5964 Fax: (02) 6266 5851 |
Links
[1] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/19573%23comment-form
[2] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/19543%23comment-form
[3] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/19478%23comment-form
[4] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/19467%23comment-form
[5] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/19514%23comment-form
[6] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/19498%23comment-form
[7] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/19550%23comment-form
[8] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/19520%23comment-form
[9] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/19588%23comment-form
[10] http://intranet.defence.gov.au/newstaff/53/3412_1.html
[11] http://www.defence.gov.au/reserves