POREPUNKAH teenager Mason Anders is set to complete the Warrant Officer course, the highest level of army cadets training, during the upcoming school holidays. An army cadet since the age of 12, Mason also recently completed a 72-hour adventure training course - the Deputy Chief of Army Adventure Training Award (DCA ATA) - where he received the coveted golden Torch and Boomerang Badge. The DCA-ATA was held in Tasmania, with only 80 cadets from around the country participating. Activities included kayaking the length of Lake Barrington with numerous tests on the water, an 18-kilometre endurance march up and over Mount Roland, as well as canyoning, abseiling, crossing a river and rafting for a day. "It's the challenge every cadet aspires to do: it's challenging, but fun," 18-year-old Mason said. "I enjoyed the walk up Mount Roland, but not so much the early mornings and late nights. "I’m currently Company Sergeant Major, after completing multiple different week-long camps; but this upcoming program will grant me the Warrant Officer title. "I'm looking forward to completing the Warrant Officer course as it is definitely the hardest challenge and the pinnacle of army cadets courses." The course is held in Puckapunyal and will cover a range of skills, some of which Mason has already been trained in such as weapons, marching drills, navigation, radio communications, survival skills, built signals and quick decision exercises. Mason said he is still thinking of going into the Australian Defence Force and becoming an officer. "I might do an officer gap year, then a four-year archeology degree," he said. "Once you’ve been a cadet, it’s much easier to open up opportunities for yourself and get the job you want in the army later on. Mason's Mum Leanne said the family is very proud of his achievements and "he's worked super hard". "This achievement (DCA ATA) shows just how much he has learned through army cadets," she said. "It is a true testament to his own dedication and strength to be able to pursue it for so long and choose to go as far as he has in the army cadets."
