Located within the Military College, the Cadet School is responsible for the training and education of officer cadets for the Defence Forces (DF). The Cadet School has a long and proud tradition having been founded in 1928 and since that date has seen just over 3,000 successful students gain commissioned rank in the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF).
Cadet School Mission
To develop leaders of character and prepare them for the exercise of command authority; provide the requisite knowledge, skills and competencies to ensure operational effectiveness; and train collectively to inculcate discipline and esprit de corps.
Strategic Vision
The core objective of the Standard Cadet Course is to develop leaders of character and competence. In more specific terms the intent is to:
- Prepare students morally, mentally and physically for their role as leaders in the Defence Forces
- Imbue students with the Defence Forces Values of respect, loyalty, selflessness, physical courage, moral courage and integrity
- Foster a deep interest and care for individual soldiers, sailors and airmen
- Provide an intellectual foundation which will act as a basis for further education and which will generate an awareness and appreciation of the economic, political, historical, social and cultural aspects of the society in which the DF function
- Cultivate a capacity for critical thinking as a decision-maker and problem-solver
- Endow students with the primary knowledge and skills essential for Light Infantry Platoon Commanders in the Army
- Promote esprit de corps in the DF, its traditions and associations.
School Ethos and Educational Philosophy
The underlying ethos of training on the Standard Cadet Course is based on the Defence Forces’ Values of respect, loyalty, selflessness, physical courage, moral courage and integrity. The military officer must be prepared to apply and control lethal force and/or operate in a high-risk environment. This potential responsibility requires that the officer be not only tactically and technically proficient, but he/she must also be informed and guided by a moral and ethical code, which demands the transcending of personal self-interest.
Leadership and Personal Development
The objective of the Course, the development of leaders of character and competence, is reflected in the concept of developing the whole person. This concept requires the provision of the opportunity for increasing self-confidence, inculcating pride in achievement, developing physical and mental endurance and providing a foundation for intellectual growth. An essential basic step in the training process is the identification of the leadership and personal qualities that are required and against which individual progress and development can be measured and assessed.
Core Activities
The Standard Cadet Course is of approx 17 months duration, divided into 4 Stages. Graduates are commissioned in the rank of Lieutenant on the successful completion of the Course. All other students are commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant on the successful completion of the Course.
The Course is divided into stages as follows:
- Stage 1: Induction (Three Months)
- Stage 2: Development (Seven Months)
- Stage 3: Empowerment (Five Months)
- Stage 4: Synthesis (Two Months)
Naval Service Cadets normally undergo Stage 1 in the Military College and complete their studies in the Naval College. Air Corps Cadets normally undergo Stages 1 and 2 in the Military College and complete their studies at the Air Corps College.
Following commissioning as Second Lieutenant or Lieutenant, officers are normally posted to Units within the Defence Forces in order to begin work as an Officer and gain some practical experience. Shortly afterwards, newly commissioned officers undergo Post Commissioning Training. This specialised corps training provides the newly commissioned officers with more practical training and skills that are required by operational units and allows these officers to be more effective, productive and responsive to the daily needs of their units.
