March 13, 2023
Tiarna Petersen has risen through the ranks of Wondai’s 135 Army Cadet Unit to take up the prestigious rank of Regimental Sergeant Major (AAC).
The Kingaroy State High School student is just 16 – and only joined the cadets in 2020 – which makes her rapid promotions even more unusual.
From recruit, she advanced through courses and training to become a Lance Corporal, Corporal, Sergeant and then Cadet Under Officer.
Her latest promotion means she has taken up responsibilities with the Australian Army Cadets’ 14th Battalion, overseeing activities in Caloundra, Yandina and Kilcoy as well as Wondai and Nanango.
Training officer Lieutenant (AAC) Andrew Sampson said he believed it was the first time a cadet representative from the Wondai unit had been promoted to a Battalion role.
Tiarna was officially congratulated on her promotion during a small ceremony at the Unit’s HQ in Wondai on Sunday.
Battalion commander Major (AAC) Richard Cramp, Yandina, and South-East Queensland Brigade Commander Colonel Scott Denner, Enoggera, were special guests.
RSM (AAC) Petersen was also presented with her “pace stick“, the official symbol of her new rank.
Tiarna told southburnett.com.au she was setting her sights now on becoming a National Cadet Under Officer before her compulsory retirement from Cadets.
Cadets retire in the year they turn 18.
After leaving school, Tiarna is considering studying at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra to pursue a career in the Army.
As well as her Year 11 studies, Tiarna also has a part-time job at a pharmacy in Kingaroy … so she is becoming very good at time management!
Major Cramp said the philosophy of the Australian Army Cadets was “Cadets run by Cadets for Cadets”.
Tiarna’s new role is basically looking after the discipline of Cadets in the Battalion and assisting with the running of field exercises.
There are currently 17 Cadets in 135 ACU who meet every second Sunday at their Wondai base.
The next training day will be held on March 26, and anyone aged under 18 interested in joining has been invited to come along.
Congratulations Tiarna. Your hard work and dedication has been successful. I hope you have an excellent future ahead of you.