13-year-old Naiya Watts youngest in statewide course to receive Cadet Sergeant promotion

Cadet Sergeant Naiya Watts from Bunbury-based 515ACU Army Cadet Unit, recently attended a Senior Leaders Course and Advanced Instructors Course at the Royal Australian Air Force Base Pearce from July 4 to 11, 2021.

Out of 64 course participants Cadet Sergeant Watts received the promotion and was also declared Student of Merit.

Cadet Sergeant Watts joined the 515ACU Army Cadet Unit just 11 months ago and said it was her Mum who got her involved.

"My mum was a cadet and said it would be fun to do. I really enjoy it." Cadet Sergeant Watts said.

During the week long course, participants were required to take part in various drills and assessments.

Alongside fellow Cadet Sergeant Cameron McKenzie, Cadet Sergeant Watts said the course included a lot of drills that prepared cadets for their new role as sergeant.

"There's lots of preparation required in order to receive the promotion. The assessments were quite intense with theory lessons and teaching a drill to a group of cadets. That one was quite difficult for me because I'd never done a proper drill lesson."

"The promotion is cool because I get to do more stuff and boss more people around."

Officer Commanding of 515ACU Bunbury, Captain (AAC) David Whelan, said the course attracted cadets from all over Western Australia and was an opportunity for cadets of a certain rank to learn about advanced instruction and further expand their leadership knowledge.

"Watts was the Student of Merit, which means amongst all her peers she came out as number one both from an academic point of view and a professional leadership point of view," Captain Whelan said.

"It's great that she won it because she's still quite young, and also because she's a female who has done so well on the course."

Captain Whelan said the Unit was always seeking members aged 13 to 17 as well as adult support.

"We're all about youth development. It's great to see the difference it makes in kids from when they first join as young, shy, 13-year-olds to now. They learn about navigation, leadership, teamwork and build confidence which are just great values to live by and have."

Captain Whelan said the 515ACU Army Cadet Unit had around five to ten females in the unit and that the interest from girls wanting to join was definitely growing.

Cadet Sergeant Watts said it was also good to see quite a few females in the course which was usually 'overpopulated by males'.

"There were quite a few female Sergeants which really inspires me as a girl."

"And now I'm inspired to go further. I want to try for Cadet Under Officer and Regional Cadet Under Officer, but that's still a while away because I have to be 16. It's the highest rank you can be in cadets," Cadet Sergeant Watts said.

The 515ACU Army Cadet Unit will next assist at the Boyup Brook Vietnam Veterans Day on August 18.

To enrol as a cadet or to find out more, contact Captain (AAC) David Whelan, Officer Commanding of 515ACU Bunbury on 0451494799 or at david.whelan1@armycadets.gov.au.