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The Bridges Company was founded in 1989 to bridge the gap for applicants to the Royal Military College who want to become officers and are suitable for the role but are not quite ready (e.g. too young, straight out of school, etc.) These cadets have already gone through six weeks of Basic Recruit Training at Kapooka (outside Wagga Wagga) and this has given them the basics of living in the Army.
The charter of the Royal Military College is to train selected cadets for careers as officers in the Australian Army by promoting learning, leadership and integrity, by inspiring high ideals and the pursuit of excellence; and by inculcating a sense of duty, loyalty and service to Australia. The aim of Bridges Company is “to prepare cadets for entry into RMC by developing their personal qualities of self-reliance, self-confidence and self-discipline.” The first Bridges Company program in 1989 took the form of a seven week course led by Outward Bound. This experience centred on a month-long expedition from Mt Kosciusko to Orbost in Victoria. In the seven weeks cadets were involved in confidence courses, rock climbing, abseiling, caving, rafting, arduous trekking, completed a community project as well as developed skills in navigation, first aid and public speaking. Although the program has changed a little over the years, the fundamentals remain and this April twelve aspirant officer cadets came to Outward Bound to start four weeks of intensive adventure training before starting their careers at RMC. During the first five days of the course they spent time at National Base undertaking training, briefings, workshops, initiatives and activities. They then headed out on an expedition, which took them from Namadgi National Park through Kosciusko National Park before returning to base in mid-May. On their return there was a celebration of their achievements and they were presented with their Blue Peter badges for completion of the Outward Bound challenge. Bridges Company is named after Major General William Throsby Bridges, who was appointed the first Commandant of the RMC Duntroon on 30 May, 1910. He remained as Commandant until 31 May, 1914. He was promoted to the rank of Major General in August, 1914 and was appointed Commanding Officer of the Australian Imperial Forces and the Commander of the First Australian Division. He waswounded at Gallipoli by a sniper bullet and later died on a hospital ship. His body was returned home and buried at Mount Pleasant, overlooking RMC, in September, 1915. 
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