Twenty-two-year-old Wanneroo local, Australian Army Officer Cadet Innes Lumsden, has had a busy end to a busy year.

Separated from his family and friends by COVID-19 border restrictions for much of the year, Officer Cadet Lumsden nevertheless completed his military and academic studies at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) and joined around 300 of his Navy, Army and Air Force classmates in graduating from ADFA on Sunday 6 December 2020.

Officer Cadet Lumsden said the Academy put in place great support to help the Academy’s trainee officers get through the challenges of the pandemic.

“ADFA provided cadets with a structured routine and job, academic and health security,” Officer Cadet Lumsden said.

“Overall, I’ve managed well thanks to my friends, peers and institutional support networks, particularly when unable to physically see family and friends in Perth.”

After finishing his high schooling at Peter Moyes Anglican Community School in 2016, Officer Cadet Lumsden joined the Army in early 2018, commencing military training at ADFA in Canberra while simultaneously studying towards a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New South Wales Canberra.

Besides his studies and military training, Officer Cadet Lumsden has been active in extra-curricular activities at ADFA, including participating in the Academy Military Skills group, as well as the Rugby and Skydiving clubs.

“One of the great things about ADFA is that there are a lot of sports, performing arts and social clubs to get involved in,” Officer Cadet Lumsden said.

Additionally, Officer Cadet Lumsden held the role of Executive Officer in ADFA’s Delta Squadron, providing administration support and leadership to some of ADFA’s second year trainee officers.

For Officer Cadet Lumsden, this leadership experience has been the highlight of his time at ADFA.

“My position as Executive Officer, especially during the challenges of COVID-19 and military and academic studies, taught me a lot about peer leadership and personal character,” Officer Cadet Lumsden said.

To anyone thinking of ADFA as a pathway to joining the Navy, Army or Air Force, Officer Cadet Lumsden gives some simple advice.

“Go for it!”

“If you are interested in becoming a leader, developing life-long Australian and international friends and studying an undergraduate degree, then ADFA is a great place to start your career.”

Before joining his fellow Army graduates for an additional 12 months of training at the Royal Military College–Duntroon in Canberra, Officer Cadet Lumsden is looking forward to spending Christmas with his family in Wanneroo.

Following his graduation from RMC-Duntroon in December 2021, Officer Cadet Lumsden hopes to become an intelligence officer.