Thirty-one cadets from the PNG Joint Forces Academy successfully completed a major field training exercise in Lae this week as part of their final military preparation before graduation, The National reports.
The cadets carried out a “cordon and strike” operation at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Sports Complex after completing a demanding 10-day stability operations exercise. The training forms part of the final assessment for the 1/24 cadet intake before they move to Port Moresby for the last stage of their programme.
According to Joint Forces Academy chief instructor Lieutenant Colonel Deleni Rida, the exercise tested the cadets’ ability to apply practical and theoretical lessons in a realistic operational environment.
“The exercise is designed to assess how cadets respond in real-life situations after weeks of classroom and field training,” Rida explained.
During the operation, role players acted as simulated threats positioned throughout the indoor sports complex, allowing cadets to practice coordinated tactical responses, leadership, communication, and teamwork under pressure.
The training exercise also highlighted the importance of discipline, strategic planning, and decision-making skills among Papua New Guinea’s future defence personnel.
The cadets have already completed 16 months of military education and training and are expected to spend another two months completing the programme before graduating later this year. Unlike previous intakes, the current group consists entirely of Papua New Guinea Defence Force cadets.
Military and cadet training programmes continue to play an important role in developing leadership, national service values, and career pathways for young Papua New Guineans. Similar cadet and officer training systems around the world combine education, physical training, leadership development, and community service to prepare young people for professional and public service careers.
The exercise concluded with an after-action review where cadets evaluated their performance and identified areas for improvement before advancing to the next phase of training.