New format for commissioning of cadets
New format for commissioning of cadets
16 October 2019
The current group of cadets about to be commissioned – (back row) Craig Boyd, Daniel Wayman, Min-Hwan Oh, Andrew Webb, Marika Wallis, Paul Trotter. (Front row) Andrea Wayman, Jessica Ffrost-Boyd, Alice Edge, Hye-Sun Seol, Henry Roehrig and Captain Richard Parker.
The commissioning of cadets in the Australia Territory is about to take on a completely new look.
The Salvation Army Eva Burrows College (EBC) has announced that this year will see movement towards cadets being commissioned in their home states and, in some cases, home corps.
Among the benefits of home state-based commissioning will be all divisions having the opportunity to host a commissioning event and celebrating the cadets they sent to college; cadets able to have their family, friends and home corps members attend the commissioning; and avoiding the costs of a major venue in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane.
This year, being the first ‘Commissioning’ as the Australia Territory, will be a transition year.
“Given that the current cadets to be commissioned entered college under the understanding that there would be one commissioning service for the group, this year will be treated as a ‘go between’ year for Commissioning with a move to simplify it,” said Captain Richard Parker, Leader of Officer Formation, Eva Burrows College.
Commissioning of the Messengers 2019 will include Covenant Day on Thursday 28 November at EBC, followed by Commissioning Dinner at Karralyka Centre in Ringwood (both events by invitation only). The Silver Star recognition, and Graduation, will be part of the dinner – for the last time.
Commissioning, Ordination and Sending Out services will take place at Waverley Temple, Victoria, on Saturday 30 November, conducted by Commissioner Janine Donaldson and Colonel Mark Campbell.
The Capricorn Region Corps in North Rockhampton, Queensland, will be the venue of the first regional Commissioning event for the Australia Territory, on Sunday 1 December, conducted by Commissioner Robert Donaldson and Colonel Julie Campbell.
Richard explained that, going forward, the Covenant Day will still be held at the Ringwood campus of EBC in the week leading into Commissioning. This service will include all cadets, cabinet and college staff.
“There will be the Covenant services of a private nature at EBC, and a second public service in the evening,” he said. “This public service will recognise the Covenant signing and Graduation with the Certificate of Salvation Army Officership. This ‘Celebration of Covenant’ service will be held in Melbourne on the same evening at a local corps. This will be the only public service the cadets would attend as a group as part of Commissioning.
“Cadets will then return to their home states for their commissioning where the Silver Star recognition will also be part of proceedings. State-based commissioning services will either be capital city-based or in some cases, corps-based. This will enable each state to celebrate with their cadets and widen the commissioning experience across the country. Logistics and timings of services will need to be determined year by year.”
The Officer Formation Stream will work with divisional leaders and their teams on planning and organising commissioning services.
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