CALL 13 19 01defencejobs.gov.au/army/jobs/InfantryOfficer

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Infantry OfficerInfantry Officers command elite soldiers in challenging, diverse and sometimes very remoteenvironments. Your team will depend on you, as you will on them, and your role will be essential tothe operations of the Army. This is a highly sought after role and best suited to those that have highstandards of mental and physical toughness.

Job DetailsThe role of Infantry is to seek out and close with the enemy, to kill or capture him, to seize and holdground and to repel attack, by day or night, regardless of season, weather or terrain. As this roleimplies, Infantry is the major combat element of the Army.This role demands high standards of mental and physical toughness, esprit de corps, battle craft anddetermination from soldiers, and doubly so from officers who are expected to lead from the front.

EntryThe Army Reserve General Service Officer First Appointment Course (ARes GSO FAC) focuses oninstilling Armys values (Courage, Initiative and Teamwork) in a similar fashion to soldier basic trainingand then providing junior officer candidates with the leadership, management, operational skills andknowledge required of a junior officer to command a platoon.During training candidates will learn and be assessed on weapons, basic unarmed self defence,fieldcraft, leadership, administration and management and lots more.Training is conducted through a combination of non-continuous training (parade nights and weekends)with local Army Reserve University Regiments and residential continuous training (Training Blocks1 to5) at centres of expertise throughout Australia, culminating with completion of the last module at theRoyal Military College Duntroon (RMC).RMC is an elite officer training college with an enviable international reputation. It has been inexistence since 1911. Like West Point in the United States and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst,in the United Kingdom, RMC is renowned for providing one of the best standards of leadership andmanagement education in the world.Graduates receive a Queen's Commission upon successful completion of all ARes GSO FAC trainingblocks, and are able to say that they have achieved a prestigious and prized commission from one ofthe world's premiere military leadership colleges.Further information on part-time ADF careers can be found by accessing the Defence ReservesSupport Council website.The Council promotes the benefits of Reserve service by establishing partnerships with the communityand employers.

Pay & AllowancesWhile undergoing Initial Officer Training non-degree qualified trainees receive $95.60 a day anddegree qualified trainees receive $108.35.

Members of the Reserve on part-time service are paid at a daily rate of pay which is tax-free. Dailyrates of pay for commissioned Reserve Force Officers commence at $131.87 for non-degree qualifiedofficers and degree qualified officers commence at $140.44.In addition to your salary, a Reserve Allowance of $13.15 per day is payable to compensate for theunique demands of Reserve Service.Your salary will continue to increase based on your rank and the number of years of service completedin that rank. Your pay grade may increase following the acquisition of additional skills and completionof further training. Refer to the Salary Scales for further details.Note: A higher salary may be granted in recognition of relevant work experience. This will bediscussed at the Officer Selection Board.

General Requirements

Age RequirementApplicants must be aged between 17 and 58 years of age inclusive on entry.Applicants will not normally be allowed to enter the ADF until they achieve a minimum of 17 years ofage, however they may be able to initiate the application process from 16 years and six months ofage, depending upon the capacity of their local recruiting centre.Candidates whose age exceeds the age guidelines may still be considered for appointment, providingthey have special skills or training that is of value to the Army.

Citizenship RequirementOnly Australian citizens are permitted to serve in the ADF.If you are a Permanent Resident of Australia, the ADF may consider a temporary waiver of thecitizenship requirement if the position for which you are applying cannot be filled by an applicant whomeets all the citizenship requirements, and then only in exceptional circumstances. You will berequired to obtain Australian citizenship as early as possible following enlistment or appointment.More information on citizenship requirements and the citizenship waiver process is available from theRecruitment Centre and your local Defence Force Recruiting Centre.

Security RequirementThe Department of Defence requires ADF entrants to obtain a security clearance appropriate to theiravenue of entry.A process of background checks, collection of relevant information and, as required, interviewsenables the Regional Security Office to make an informed assessment of an applicant's suitability for asecurity clearance.Current policy requires applicants for this particular avenue of entry to have lived in Australia for thepreceding 10 years, or have a checkable background for this period.

Aptitude Requirement

ADFA Reserve

The application process to join the Australian Defence Force requires you to complete a series ofaptitude tests including verbal, spatial and numerical ability and a general maths test. Some jobs mayalso require you to complete additional testing at a later date.Psychology support staff will explain what is involved with each test.The aptitude tests provide information about your suitability for the Defence Force and for particularjobs. Defence Force Recruiting can then help you identify jobs that best match your abilities.Further information on the aptitude testing requirements can be found here.

Gender RestrictionConsistent with an exemption provided for Defence under the Commonwealth Anti-Discrimination Act,women may not be employed in direct combat roles.The Direct Combat exclusion applies to all Armour, Artillery, Infantry and Combat Engineer Squadronsand precludes women from being employed in direct combat roles within these units. However, femalepersonnel are capable of serving within Direct Combat Units (except Combat Engineer Squadrons) incombat support positions.Note: This role will be opened to women entering the Army from January 2016.

Education & Experience

You must have completed Year 12 with passes in English and three other subjects. Or you may be inyour final year and expect to reach these levels. (South Australian officer applicants may achieve apass at Year 11 English and a pass in a language rich subject at Year 12 and three other subjects);OrIf you do not satisfy the education requirements or do not possess evidence of your educationalattainment there is an alternative pathway available to you.You may be eligible to sit an Alternative Education Equivalency (AEE) Assessment to ascertain yourability at the required educational level for this employment category. However, you should be 21years of age at the time of assessment and be able to demonstrate relevant work or life experienceskills that will facilitate completion of your Employment Training.Further information is available here.A tertiary qualification is not required to be an effective junior officer, however officers withoutdegrees will be encouraged to complete a degree later in their career.

Medical & Fitness RequirementsTo be enlisted or appointed, you must be medically and physically fit for entry to your chosenoccupation. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering yourmedical history, followed by a physical examination.You will also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness test before enlistment.For further details on medical and physical fitness standards refer toPhysical Fitness Standardsfor Entry into the ADF and Medical Process for Entry into the ADF.

Period of Service

All candidates who are appointed or enlisted into the Army Reserve may undertake volunteer serviceuntil the age of 65 (Compulsory Retiring Age) subject to the requirements of the Army and suitabilityfor further service. Members may transfer out of theactiveArmy Reserve at any time.

Military TrainingARMY RESERVE GENERAL SERVICE OFFICER - FIRST APPOINTMENT COURSE(ARes GSO FAC):The ARes GSO FAC focuses on instilling Armys values (Courage, Initiative and Teamwork) in a similarfashion to soldier basic training and then providing junior officer candidates with the leadership,management, operational skills and knowledge required of a junior officer to command a platoon.During training, candidates will learn and be assessed on weapons,fieldcraft, leadership, tactics,administration and management and lots more.Location and Duration of Training:Training is conducted through a combination of non-continuous training (parade nights and weekends)with local Army Reserve University Regiments and residential continuous training (Training Blocks1 to5) at centres of expertise throughout Australia, culminating with completion of the lasttrainingblockat the Royal Military College Duntroon.The ARes GSO FAC is modularised to allow candidates the flexibility to complete the training aroundcivilian employment commitments.Training Block 1 is conducted continuously throughout the year atthe ArmyRecruit Training Centre, Kapooka. Training Blocks 2 to 5are conducted twice annually in asequence. Ideally, mostcandidates willcompletethe course within 18 months 2 years andareexpected to complete the ARes GSO FAC within a maximum of 3 years. It is possible for a candidate tocomplete the ARes GSO FAC within a minimum of 9 - 14 months; however, these are usuallyin-Service candidates who been given recognition of prior learning.The ARes GSO FAChas five (5) training blocks totalling 104 days residential training:Training Block1 -Military Foundation Skills 28 days duration delivered at the Army RecruitTraining Centre, Kapooka (Wagga Wagga, NSW) is actually the Reserve Recruit Training Course.Qualified soldiers who are selected to be officers may be granted recognition of this training andcommence the ARes GSO FAC at Training Block 2. Likewise any officer candidate who does not wishto continue officer training is able to become a soldier on completion of this training block. Thistraining block is conducted throughout the year.Training Block2 - Small Military Team Leader Theory is 16 days duration and is conducted inthe January to February andJune to Julyperiods by Sydney University Regiment at Singleton, NSW.This training block builds on the skills introduced at Recruit Training and introduces new operational,weapons and navigation skills.Training Block3 -Small Military Team Leader - 16 days duration conducted in the January toFebruary andJune to Julyperiods by Sydney University Regiment at Singleton, NSW. This trainingblock introduces command, leadership and management skills in addition to military administration.This training block is also your first step along the way to learning the leadership and managementskills that you will need to successfully command soldiers in the Australian Army.Training Block4 -Command, Leadership and Management 16 days duration conducted inthe January to February andJune to Julyperiods by Sydney University Regiment at Singleton, NSW.This training block revises and tests much of what you have already learnt about small team leveloperations as well as building further on your administrative capabilities as a small team leader. Thistraining block also gives qualifications in the conduct of military live fire weapons range practices; andTraining Block5 -All Corps Army Reserve Platoon Commander 28 days duration conductedin January and Julyby External Training Wing RMC Duntroon at Majura (near Canberra), ACT. Thistraining block confirms you have all attributes, skills and values to become an officer in the AustralianArmy. It also confirms that you have the leadership, management, operational skills and knowledgerequired of a junior officer to command a platoon on likely Army Reserve operations. On thesuccessful completion of Training Block 5 you will be commissioned as a Lieutenant in the AustralianArmy Reserve.

Training in Your UnitIn between doing the residential training blocks you will be expected to attend parade nights andweekends organised by your parent Army Reserve University Regiment. Your unit will look after allyour administration for attending the ARes GSO FAC training blocks. The training staff will help youprepare for the residential training blocks, revise the skills you learn as well as provide instruction andassessment on military skills like fieldcraft, drill, training, military justice and writing and oralcommunication. There are also some additional requirements for training which can be obtainedthrough external organisations. These requirements will be explained to you by unit training staff.

Employment TrainingRoyal Australian InfantryRegimental Officer Basic Course (ROBC)The aim of the ROBC is to qualify newly commissioned LT in the Corps requirements for command ofa Rifle Platoon.The course is undertaken residentially at the School of Infantry, Lone Pine Barracks Singleton, NSW.Thefirst two modules are each of 16 days duration.Module one prepares the trainee for offensive operations and includes patrolling, platoon attacks, theadvance and ambushing. This module is conducted in November / December each year.Module two is the defensive operations phase which focuses on the withdrawal, vital asset protection,vehicle check points and the platoon in defence. This module is conducted mid year.Modulethree is completed as on the job training as a platoon commander within the unit.Platoon commanders will also complete the 4 week ADF Range Qualification Course at the School ofInfantry. This course will equip new officers with the skills and knowledge required to superviseinfantry field-firing exercises. Components of the ADF Range Qualification Course may be completedwithin ARes units, therefore reducing the time required to spend at the School of Infantry.

Employment LocationThe Royal Australian Infantry is organised into Reserve (Part-time) units in the following regions:QLD11 Brigade, 31/42 RQR with depots located at Townsville, Rockhampton, Cairns, Mackay, AyrandCharters Towers.25/49 RQR with depots located at Greenbank, Toowoomba, Warwick, Wondai, Bramston,Stanthorpe, Dalby, Gatton and Roma.9 RQR with depots located at Enoggera, Maryborough, Bunbaberg, Loganlea, Gympie, Caboolture andYandina.42 RQR with depots located at Mackay, Gladstone and Rockhampton.NSW5 Brigade, 4/3 RNSWR with depots located at Holsworthy, Sutherland, Wollongong, Canberra and aPlatoon at Parramatta.1/19 RNSWR with depots located at Orange, Dubbo, Wagga Wagga, Bathurst, Leeton, Marrangarooand Parkes.8 Brigade, 2/17 RNSWR with depots located at Pymble, Blacktown, Rockdale, Erina, Adamstown -Newcastle.41 RNSWR with depots located at Lismore, Tweed Heads, Casino, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Kempsey,Port Macquarie and Taree.

VIC1 Commando Regiment with an infantry company located in the historic Fort Gellibrand atWilliamstown.4 Brigade, 5/6 RVR with depots located at Hawthorn, Moonee Ponds, Sunshine, Surrey Hills,Sandringham and Macleod.8/7 RVR with depots located at Ballarat, Newtown, Laverton, Bendigo, Warrnambool, Mildura,Shepparton and Swan Hill.SA/TAS9 Brigade, 10/27 RSAR with depots located at Adelaide, Berri, Broken Hill, Kadina Mt, Gambier, PortAugusta, Port Pirie, Whyalla and Port Noarlunga.12/40 RTR with depots located at Hobart, Launceston and Warrane.WA13 Brigade, 11/28 RWAR with depots located at Perth, Rockingham, Kattaning, Albany, andBunbury.16 RWAR with depots located at Perth, Kalgoorlie and Geraldton.The Infantry Corps also includes Regional Force Surveillance Units (RFSU) and Special Forces (SF).RFSUNT: NORFORCE, with depots located at Darwin, Nhulunbuy, Alice Springs and Broome.QLD: 51 FNQR with depots located at Cairns, Weipa, Thursday Island and Mt.Isa.WA:The Pilbara Regiment with depots located at Tom Price, Port Hedland, Karratha, Newman.The RFSU operate in the north of Australia, with their Headquarters and out stations spread fromKarratha in the Pilbara Region of WA, through the top end of the NT and across to Cairns and theCape York Peninsula.In addition to2Commando Regiment, the SF group includes the Special Air Service Regiment based inPerth WAand 1CommandoRegiment with itsheadquarters and one company based in Sydney withanother company located in Melbourne.

National QualificationsIt is proposed that graduates of the Army Reserve First Appointment Course will be eligible forCertificate IV in Military Leadership.

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