YOUNG people from Wonthaggi and surrounding areas can build confidence, discipline and impress potential employers by joining the town’s Army Cadet unit.

While an information night on Tuesday helped lead to five potential new recruits, more are welcome, with the current recruiting period running until July 30.

Surprisingly, the Wonthaggi unit was established only last August.

Capt (AAC) Steve Dedrick is its new commanding officer, with the unit currently having 25 cadets.

“It’s a youth organisation based on the army structure,” he said of cadets, outlining the transformation he sees in young people through their involvement with the organisation.

“Seeing kids start off at 12 or 13 years of age, very meek, they evolve and take over leadership responsibilities and it promotes teamwork, initiative and respect for others,” Capt Dedrick said.

He stressed the high regard many employers place on the fact young people have held a position of responsibility with the cadets, adding that Wonthaggi traders often provide positive feedback about the benefits they observe for the town’s young people.

The Wonthaggi unit is sponsored by the Phillip Island RSL and participates in its commemorative ceremonies, with responsibilities such as holding banners and flags.

While some cadet units are school based, Wonthaggi’s is community based.

At the information evening, senior cadets ran potential recruits through drills such as learning how to ‘stand to attention’, ‘stand at ease’ and ‘stand easy’.

Steve was a cadet in his youth but didn’t elect to join the military during the turbulent times of the Vietnam War.

He became reacquainted with cadets in the 1990s through his role as a computer technician at Melbourne High School where he was soon appointed to run the school’s cadet unit.

Such was his passion for the role, he continued there for about 24 years, also eventually taking on battalion roles, with approximately 10 units reporting to a battalion.

Those aged 13 to 16 can join cadets, with potential for 12-year-olds to do so if they are turning 13 during the current school term, provided they demonstrate sufficient maturity.

The Wonthaggi Cadets train on Tuesday nights between 6.30pm and 9.30pm at Wonthaggi North Primary School on the corner of White and Wentworth Roads, Wonthaggi.

Contact 317ACU@cadetnet.gov.au if interested in joining or learning more.