Australian Special Forces Program a Major Success

[gf0012-aust]

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued July 23, 2004)


The first group of Special Forces Direct Recruiting Scheme (SFDRS) soldiers is about to complete their course at the Special Forces Training Centre Singleton.

SFDRS is a groundbreaking scheme designed to boost Defence’s Special Forces capability. The program allows intelligent, fit and motivated young men to apply directly for positions in the Special Operations Command.

Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy, visited Singleton Training Area today to watch SFDRS recruits conduct a bunker assault using live ammunition, as part of their selection into Special Operations Command.

“SFDRS attracted a huge response from a strong field of applicants,†LTGEN Leahy said.

“Those who enter the Australian Special Forces join an elite group who are world renowned for versatile skills, professionalism and expertise in modern operations.â€

Defence Recruiting has received 1674 SFDRS applications since the scheme was launched last October. A total of 145 men have enlisted through the program so far this year, during 3 intakes.

Most soldiers recruited through SFDRS will serve with the Sydney based regular commando battalion, 4RAR (Commando). Commandos are highly trained Special Forces soldiers proficient in parachuting, amphibious operations, and a range of other specialist skills, including counter terrorism.

The SFDRS recruits complete their selection training in two weeks, at that point the successful members will be posted to Holsworthy for further training.

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and the comment from Aussie Digger re this is? ....

 

[umair]

Meaning spec ops guys now won't come from the regular cadre, but straight from being a civie to a commando?

 

[gf0012-aust]

Meaning spec ops guys now won't come from the regular cadre, but straight from being a civie to a commando?

Typically they are going to be either ex athletes, firemen, police tactical response groups, prison response teams etc..., there are some civs in there as long as they pass the psych test etc...

It's not that unusual in the sense that at one stage the Spesnatz used to recruit athletes for CT and black work.

 

[Aussie Digger]

I've actually got a mate, who is an ex-digger and is signed up ready to go on the next intake. The thing is with this program, the only thing it's lacking is military experience. This may be a good thing, some people in the military are far more concerned with tradition and "rank" etc than is good for them or their unit. "Civvies" don't have this so there won't be any problem there.

A lot of the potential new specwarries are as gf pointed out, ex police, fireman, etc, so it's not as if they are fresh faced teens who are able to do a run in a certain time. They generally tend to be older more mature people (25-35 years) who happen to be very fit.

The new recruits undertake the same basic training (6 weeks) and infantry training (IET's, 13 weeks) as a soldier who would be posted to an infantry battalion, so their training isn't lacking. Once they've completed their initial training, they move onto Commando operators course (3 weeks), parachute course (3 weeks), Special Forces weapons course (2 weeks) and Close Quarter Battle Course (2 weeks). 30 weeks of initial training all up before they serve in their Unit (mostly 4RAR). Some exceptional person "might" be able to go straight to SASR, but not many and I haven't heard of anyone who's achieved this yet.

I don't have any real problem with this program, and I think it could be introduced in certain aspects into the wider ADF. ONe of the biggest problems I have with the ADF is that a lot of things are done, "because that's the way they've always been done". That DOESN'T however mean it's the ONLY or even best way to do something. I think this new program is actually a breath of fresh air for defence recruiting. Cheers.

Oh, regular and reserve soldiers can still transfer to special forces, this is just a way to quickly boost Special Forces numbers.

Admin: Follow on posts merged. Please edit prev rather than create new ones especially if they follow on. Thx

 

[Gremlin29]

The US Army has a similar program for the Rangers. Basic + Infantry School are combinded into OSUT, Jump School then it's off to the regiment. At that stage individuals will usually belong to the regiment for some months or a year + prior to actually attending the Ranger course proper and earning the Ranger tab.

IIRC Special Forces has an "off the street" recruiting program however I believe selectee's are assigned to an SF Group in which they will serve (not as an operator) until they meet the prerequisites of rank, MOSQ's and so forth. In the case of the Ranger program at least, it has proven to be highly effective.

 

[DRUB]

Is there any other place where i can get more information on this program apart from the defence force recruiters itself?

 

[Pathfinder-X]

Perhaps Canadian army should adopt this method of selection. Our current requirement for JTF-2 is that you have to serve 3 years in any service before you can sign up for it.

 

[gf0012-aust]

Is there any other place where i can get more information on this program apart from the defence force recruiters itself?

Aussie or US DRUB? If in Oz, you will only be able to get info from the recruiters - maybe aussie-dig knows of some operators.

I do know of people who have applied for it and it was a rigorous process. Quite a few bombed out on the psyche tests.

 

[Aussie Digger]

DRUB, you can go to www.defencejobs.gov.au or www.defence.gov.au to find out more, or if you live in Australia you can contact defence recruiting directly on 13 19 01. I've got one mate who's progressed through the initial stages of the selection program and is waiting to start Basic Training at Kapooka (again I might add!!! Which is one reason I'm not feeling any real inclination to give it a go...)

Here's the description of the Commando ECN (you are most likely to be posted to the Commando Regt, the Army seems reluctant to send people straight to SASR and no one has achieved that highly yet anyway...)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Commando Special Forces (079) ARA

Commandos are highly skilled Special Forces (SF) soldiers. They are trained and qualified in a range of advanced specialist weapons and equipment and can deploy to their area of operations over long distances using different methods. They can operate in a variety of complex situations conducted in demanding terrain. The Commando is mentally tough, quick thinking, innovative and can keep a cool head in difficult situations.

As a Commando you will become part of Australia’s highly respected Special Forces. As part of the Special Forces you will contribute to the safety and security of Australia and its National interests. Commandos may operate in Australia or on combat and peace missions anywhere in the world. In recent times, Commandos have been on operations in a wide range of places including East Timor and Iraq.

The selection process is rigorous. After 7 weeks at Kapooka learning basic soldier skills, you undergo twelve weeks training at the School of Infantry. Then there’s an eight week accelerated training continuum, which concludes with the Special Forces Barrier Test. The entire process is a gruelling examination both physical and mental that will challenge even the fittest of men. Once you make it through this process, your specialized training starts.

Pay and allowances:

For information on Pay and Allowances, click on Further Information.

Entry requirements:

You must be 19 to 30 years of age inclusive, and must be an Australian citizen, have applied for Australian citizenship or be a permanent resident of Australia. You must also meet Army entry requirements regarding physical and medical fitness.

Education Requirements:

You must have passed Year 9 with passes in English and Maths.

Minimum Requirements:
Age: 19 - 30
Gender: Male
Education: Year 9

Additional Information:
Service: Army
Work Type: Full Time
Industry: Non-Technical

 

[DRUB]

thanks gf and AD. I was talking about the Oz program. Have always thought of special forces and now that there is direct entry i may just give it a whack. However, it may not be all that easy considering i would want to get in as an officer.

cheers again

 

[Aussie Digger]

I'm pretty sure (though not 100% certain) that the direct entry scheme is only open to those who want to be "diggers"... Why would you want to be an "orifice" anyway? You'll learn more and have more fun becoming an O/R first... Officer's are far less important in specwarops anyway. The Sergeants and W/O's tend to run things... If I were you, I'd do the direct entry specwarops method as a Digger, than undertake officer training after that. You don't have to start out an officer to become one. I guarantee if you're a Digger first you'll be a better officer for it...

 

[DRUB]

Thanks for the advice Digger. The reason for wanting to become an officer is becuase a) i actually want to lead b) i hate to take orders (i know u still have to take orders as an officer but the amount of ppl who can tell u what to do is far less than if u were a private) c) i think i would make a better officer than i would a pvt.

There are other reasons but those are the ones that come to mind at the moment. I also understand that officers play a less significant role in specwar than NCO's.

cheers

 

[Aussie Digger]

Doesn't matter who you are in the defence force, you take orders. Even Peter Cosgrove gets his orders, (just from people in suits, not uniforms)... You'll have to do 18 months at RMC or 3 years+ at ADFA to become an officer. Guess what happens in that time? You're a recruit. You're even answerable to a Private in reality.

Once commissioned you'll hold the "high" rank of Second Lieutenant. This means (after some supervision) you'll be given a platoon or troop to command. The orders you will give will be variations on the one you've been given by your Company Commander, 2IC, Adjutant, Ops Officer, duty officer etc the list goes on and on... I'm afraid if you want to be in the military you're gonna have to get used to taking orders, Commisioned Rank or not.

A lot of them (even the ones you WILL be given) are at times nonsensical and are given to you by people you despise or who you "KNOW" are you intellectual inferior. I seriously doubt any platoon commanders in 4RAR (or SASR for that matter) are "fresh out of the Academy". If you want to be commissioned and in Special Forces, you'll have to do it the long way round. That's why I suggested being a Digger first. This way you're quickly a specwarrie who probably doesn't take as many orders as a "Green Army" Second Lieutenant.

Plus you're credibility when you finally undertake officer training will be enormous. Imagine walking around RMC wearing your Special Forces "Green Beret" (ex qualified Specwarries are allowed to wear their special forces insignia, berets etc when serving in different units), you're parachute wings and your Royal Australian Regiment Hat Badge, on your pollies as opposed to all the other Officer Cadets wearing their crappy slouch hat and RMC hat badge... You'll be a legend and probably far more switched on than you're instructors...

 

[gf0012-aust]

Agree completely with A-D. One of the reasons why SASr specswarriesare well respected is that because on average, they are older than nearly every other foreign specwarrie outfit we train with. There is a reason for that. A more grounded operator, one cemented in the basics, one who is older will invariably have a different maturity level. They have been assessed as making more considered responses under pressure.

Go the long way - it will be better for you in the long run.

Officers don't get respect, they have to earn it. And to earn it you have to show that you've got the goods and can deliver convincingly to men who invariably are operationally smarter and more switched on "in the mud"

That's why god created Warrant Officers and Seargents - To help officers fit in.

 

[lil ANZAC]

i know this topic is a bit old but as im only a new member just found it now when reading through old topis. id just like to get Aussie Digger's and anyone else opinion on something he mentioned at the end of the topic regarding to officers and diggers.

Im thinking about eventually joining army/army reserves and wanted to know that if you join as a soldier and eventually get to let say sergeant and then decide to become an officer do you lose all the promotions you've earned and start straight as 2nd leutenant

.

 

[Aussie Digger]

i know this topic is a bit old but as im only a new member just found it now when reading through old topis. id just like to get Aussie Digger's and anyone else opinion on something he mentioned at the end of the topic regarding to officers and diggers.

Im thinking about eventually joining army/army reserves and wanted to know that if you join as a soldier and eventually get to let say sergeant and then decide to become an officer do you lose all the promotions you've earned and start straight as 2nd leutenant.

You will lose your rank, but gain a commission as an officer. If you were previously a Sergeant in the ARA, you would go straight into being a Full Lieutenant, possibly a Captain.

 

[roasty]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but those who complete 18 months at RMC graduate as first Lieutenants - the rank of 2nd Lieutenant within the ADF is found only in the Army Reserve.

As for losing rank, I would be interested to know how exactly this works. I knew a Corporal who transferred to the commissioned ranks. He was required to start from scratch, as a staff cadet and then work his way up, however, he retained the pay-grade of Corporal until it was surpassed by his commissioned rank pay-grade. As for W.O.s and Sergeants, I have not spoken to anyone directly, but I've heard second-hand that W.O.s may transfer across as Captains (after 18 months at RMC as SCDTs).

 

[Aussie Digger]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but those who complete 18 months at RMC graduate as first Lieutenants - the rank of 2nd Lieutenant within the ADF is found only in the Army Reserve.

As for losing rank, I would be interested to know how exactly this works. I knew a Corporal who transferred to the commissioned ranks. He was required to start from scratch, as a staff cadet and then work his way up, however, he retained the pay-grade of Corporal until it was surpassed by his commissioned rank pay-grade. As for W.O.s and Sergeants, I have not spoken to anyone directly, but I've heard second-hand that W.O.s may transfer across as Captains (after 18 months at RMC as SCDTs).

That is correct. Full time "first appointment" GSO's (from ADFA or RMC) are appointed to the rank of First Lieutenant.

Part Time GSO's after their 20 weeks of training are appointed as Second Lieutenants, with additional training requirements to complete prior to being appointed as first Lieutenants.

There is a program for SNCO's (Sergeants and Warrant Officers) in the Australian Army, whose name escapes me at present.

It's a course you complete at RMC, but I do not believe it is 18 months in length. On completion you are appointed as a Captain, as an associate of mine (currently a Sergeant at RMC) is about to undertake this very course. I found this out for certain about a month and a half ago, so the info is fairly current...

 

[barra]

I can see why I have recieved very little help on the officer OSB front.
Seems their is a general lack of respect towards officer ranks?

Mate, something you should understand is that enlisted men salute the commission held not the man/woman themselves. You don't gain respect by simply putting on the uniform you earn your mens respect by your actions.

If you think that enlisted men should bow down and respect you simply because you happen to be wearing an officers uniform then you were obviously born in the wrong century. If you think that the Navy is going to be any different then you are in for a shock.

Hooroo

 

[barra]

I agree respect has to be earned.

Do you? Your post didn't read that way. As someone who is not even a serving member yet you seem to have some strong opinions on military life and service. You seem to have a born to rule attitude, OSB won't like that.

If and when you have actually "get some time up" come and talk to me then.

Barra