Eighteen-year-old Tenterfield girl, Anna Yates, was one of 60 young people to take the first step toward becoming a future leader of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) last week.

Anna was welcomed in through an Australian Defence Force Academy Appointment Ceremony at the Masonic Memorial Centre in Brisbane.

Senior Military Recruitment Officer for Queensland, Major Dan Garrett, congratulated the officer cadets on successfully completing a competitive recruitment process to earn a coveted place at ADFA.

Anna said attending a Female Flight Camp at the Air Force base in Amberley in 2014 influenced her decision to join the Air Force

But the most significant influence for her was meeting an elderly lady, while volunteering at nursing home, who had been a member of the Women’s Australian Auxiliary Air Force.

“She shared some incredible stories about her service and the adventures she had, with me. The stories very much appealed to me,” Anna said.

Anna also said she was immensely excited and proud to become an Air Force officer cadet and is looking forward to the adventures her role as a Personal Capability Officer is sure to bring.

“It has been a long journey for me, and to finally reach an end goal is something I will never forget, especially considering how competitive the process is,” Anna said.

“My ambition at ADFA is to perform my duties to the best of my ability and represent ADFA in the most favourable light,” she said.

During the next three years Anna will undergo extensive military training which will build on her inherent leadership capabilities.

If Anna didn’t already have a full plate, she will also study a Bachelor of Arts through the University of NSW.