Comet Bay College Maritime Cadets
Comet Bay College Cadets is a school-based, after-hours club with a maritime focus. All students in Year 7 who attend Comet Bay College are welcome to attend. CBC Maritime Cadets was established to give students who are too young to join the Australian Defence Cadets an opportunity to experience, and get a head start on, cadet training.
CBC Maritime Cadets is not affiliated with any other cadet organisation or group. However, due to the partnership that Comet Bay College has with Training Ship Comet, Navy Cadet Unit, participants in CBC Maritime Cadets are guaranteed a place in TS Comet when they become old enough. TS Comet is the largest Navy Cadet Unit in WA. The skills learnt will also give students an advantage if they decide to join a different ADF cadet unit.
CBC Maritime Cadets training takes place each Wednesday during the school terms from 3:00pm to 4:30pm.
CBC Maritime Cadets is run by our Youth Development Officer David Karcheski and Chaplain Jaeden Francis and assisted by additional teachers as needed. All staff work at Comet Bay College.
Students joining CBC Maritime Cadets can expect a similar experience to other cadet units. Participants will be taught practical skills and encouraged to develop their sense of self-discipline and service. Often cadets will experience greater resilience and self-confidence, and develop lasting friendships.
Students in CBC Maritime Cadets will be provided with a uniform unique to CBC Maritime Cadets but reflecting maritime traditions. The uniform consists of a short-sleeved white shirt with epaulettes and emblem, and a cap purchased from CBC Maritime Cadets. Students must provide their own black trousers and black shoes.
CBC Maritime Cadets has four focus points which are the foundation of every activity:
- Have fun
- Learn about ADF cadets
- Experience a sense of connection
- Develop values of service, community and excellence
To achieve these aims, the program follows a similar format each week:
- 3:00pm – Sign in, hoisting of the colours
- 3:10pm – Ice-breaker activity
- 3:30pm – Learning focus
- 4:00pm – Game or physical activity
- 4:25pm – Closing ceremony
The learning focus follows a curriculum common to maritime cadet units from around the world.
Learning focus topics include:
- Flag ceremonies
- Basic drill
- Living in harmony
- Cadet safe strategies
- Boat safety
- Rigging a boat
- Basic First Aid training
- Chain of command
- Ranks found in a cadet unit
- Cadet emergency procedure
- Effective teamwork
- Grooming and personal presentation
- Unit divisions
- Duties in a cadet unit
- Orders, procedures and routines
- Radio procedure
- 24-hour clock
- Sea terms and naval jargon
- Knots and basic construction technique
- Camp cooking
- Navigation
Places are limited and so early enrolment is recommended. CBC Maritime Cadets must be aged 11 or 12 years old for the entire year of their membership. Cadets aged 12 who turn 13 in the current calendar year are permitted to join TS Comet.
To find our more or get an application pack, please email david.karcheski@education.wa.edu.au