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In December 1971, history was made at the Royal Military College (RMC) when the very first group of officer cadets graduated from the newly established UNSW Canberra. 

For the all-male cohort, the transition from traditional military training to an academic environment represented a monumental shift; introducing them to a dual program designed to equip them with critical thinking skills and advanced knowledge to help them not just in their military careers, but professional lives too.  

One member of this pioneering group of cadets, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Military), was David Taylor, who described the experience as both challenging and invaluable in shaping his military career.

“Not only were we undertaking regular tertiary study, but we also had to undertake full military study requirements to ensure that, upon graduation, we were fit to assume command as Lieutenants,” David said.  

David’s university experience was far from typical and this was made starkly clear in 1969 when the second-year RMC students were given an opportunity to study on UNSW’s Kensington campus for a month. 

As the cadets wore civilian clothes and attended lectures alongside civilian students, they saw the difference between university life as a military cadet, and university life a as civilian. Back at RMC in Canberra, attendance at both academic and military classes was mandatory, and strict “lights out” and “reveille” times ensured cadets adhered to the discipline and structure expected of future military leaders.  

These routines not only instilled a profound sense of discipline, but also fostered camaraderie among the cohort, establishing lifelong friendships.

For the cadets, navigating the dual responsibilities of officer training and university-level study required substantial time management.  

As cadets balanced assignments, lectures, and the demanding physical requirements of military training, David says it held them in good stead. 

“The structure was unique but intense. It built resilience, leadership, and critical thinking skills at a higher level than may have been the case if I didn’t attend UNSW Canberra,” David said.  

Fast forward five decades and the discipline and camaraderie seen in the cadets of 1971 is still apparent amongst today’s cadets studying at 91���˰涶��at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA).

Shelby Clausen is an officer cadet preparing to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts from 91���˰涶��in December. Her experience isn’t dissimilar to David’s, with a structed regime and challenges balancing military training and university study, although instead of needing to travel to Sydney to study alongside civilian students, she was able to do it in her own classrooms with civilians making up a small number of the student population.  

“I had the experience of working alongside several civilian students whilst completing various generalist electives” Shelby said.

Another notable difference between the decades is the gender split of officer cadet students, with women now making up almost 30% of the total number of undergraduate students. This wasn’t this case during David’s time, something he says is a positive change.  

“Women are now a growing portion of the cadet cohort and seeing them in leadership roles in the military is a representation of this successful change,” David said. 

Albeit 50 years apart, the advice Shelby and David give to future students is remarkably similar – make the most of the resources available to you.  

91���˰涶��is unique in the student to teacher ratio, allowing students to learn in a more personal way and establish great relationships with the university’s lecturers. The time at 91���˰涶��and ADFA and the ability to live, work and study alongside fellow trainee officers offers a level of camaraderie and self-development opportunities that is seldom experienced in other working environments. 

This December, Shelby Clausen will graduate as part of the 20,000-strong alumni community of UNSW Canberra, joining a legacy that includes pioneers like David Taylor.  

Though decades apart, their journeys reflect the enduring values of discipline, resilience, and leadership that define UNSW Canberra’s alumni community which is composed of thousands of people working across the military, government and commercial sectors around the world.