Anyone have any experience with RAAC?

[Brycec]

This is just for some personal info on the RAAC.
First question. Is The Light Cavalry Regiment made up of only Reserve troops?
And if not, what is the role of regulars inside this unit as opposed to the reserve troops?

Whats the difference in roles of the Cavalry Regiment and the Tank regiment? Aside from the obvious one which is the tank regiment use tanks, all I can really see is that The Cavalry Regiment is a lighter armour version of the Tank reg.

When you join the Corp, you have to complete a recruit course at kapooka. Is this the same course as Riflemen complete? Further, do you complete the course with other guys moving into the RAAC, or with people heading to all different types of units?

And heres what I really want to get to. I've read the official differences between the two roles of the Cavalry Regiment and the Tank regiment, but really, what's the difference between them. Does one do alot of Convoy protection, while the other does alot of cross country offensive maneuvering?

Sorry if some of these questions sound dumb, I'm still learning.

 

[Aussie Digger]

This is just for some personal info on the RAAC.
First question. Is The Light Cavalry Regiment made up of only Reserve troops?
And if not, what is the role of regulars inside this unit as opposed to the reserve troops?

Whats the difference in roles of the Cavalry Regiment and the Tank regiment? Aside from the obvious one which is the tank regiment use tanks, all I can really see is that The Cavalry Regiment is a lighter armour version of the Tank reg.

When you join the Corp, you have to complete a recruit course at kapooka. Is this the same course as Riflemen complete? Further, do you complete the course with other guys moving into the RAAC, or with people heading to all different types of units?

And heres what I really want to get to. I've read the official differences between the two roles of the Cavalry Regiment and the Tank regiment, but really, what's the difference between them. Does one do alot of Convoy protection, while the other does alot of cross country offensive maneuvering?

Sorry if some of these questions sound dumb, I'm still learning.

All soldiers do the same basic training course at Kapooka. Regular soldiers then go on to do an "advanced basic" course. You will have soldiers that are destined for many different Corps within your platoon and course in general.

As an Armoured Corps soldier you then go on to do your IET course as an armoured vehicle crewman (driver) at Puckapunyal (Victoria). You will be tld before hand which unit you will be posted to, which will determine which course you do. If you're going to 1 Armd Regiment you'll do the M1A1 driver/servicers course, 2nd Cav Regt/ 2/14LHR - ASLAV drivers course and so on.

Infantry Corps personnel go on to do their IET at Singleton (NSW).

The light cavalry formations you refer to (there are more than 1) are what has replaced the former APC and "light recon" regiments. They are reserve units (although like all reserve units have regular "cadre" staff to perform maintenance, operate guard rooms, organise courses, exercises etc).

They operate Landrover RSV (recon surveillance vehicles) and emulate the roles that the 2x regular Cavalry Regiments (2nd Cavalry Regiment and 2/14 LHR) perform. The reasoning behind this is that it's a cheaper way to get better trained reserve soldiers that can "fill in" regular units as required, without the maintenance overheads and subsequent training deficiencies that exist by having reserve soldiers attempting to become qualified on technically complex equipment. Basically the units can concentrate on individual and small unit skillsets without having to worry about becoming proficient on advanced vehicles, during their limited training times.

A Landrover RSV can "simulate" an ASLAV during exercises, thus the skill of the soldier can be concentrated upon. Should a need exist for reserve soldiers to "flesh out" regular units, conversion courses can be rapidly undertaken...

2nd Cavalry Regiment and 2/14 LHR (QMI) (Recon) are light Cavalry units equipped with the ASLAV recon vehicle. Their job is to provide armoured recon capability for the regular land force. They also provide light fire support, convoy protection and scouting duties for their respective brigades.

1 Armoured Regiment (the tank regiment you refer to) operates the Leopard AS1 tank at present, though it is currently working up on M1A1 having received it's allocation of M1A1 tanks in early Marcch 2007.

It's job is to provide a tank capability to assist the combat force in close combat operations and obviously provide an anti-armour capability for the land force.

The difference basically boils down to this: the tanks fight and the ASLAV's scout for information...

Best of luck. I hazard a guess that if you are joining right now, then you are probably headed eventually to 1 Armoured Regiment to operate M1A1's...

 

[Tasman]

All soldiers do the same basic training course at Kapooka. Regular soldiers then go on to do an "advanced basic" course. You will have soldiers that are destined for many different Corps within your platoon and course in general.

As an Armoured Corps soldier you then go on to do your IET course as an armoured vehicle crewman (driver) at Puckapunyal (Victoria). You will be tld before hand which unit you will be posted to, which will determine which course you do. If you're going to 1 Armd Regiment you'll do the M1A1 driver/servicers course, 2nd Cav Regt/ 2/14LHR - ASLAV drivers course and so on.

Infantry Corps personnel go on to do their IET at Singleton (NSW).

The light cavalry formations you refer to (there are more than 1) are what has replaced the former APC and "light recon" regiments. They are reserve units (although like all reserve units have regular "cadre" staff to perform maintenance, operate guard rooms, organise courses, exercises etc).

They operate Landrover RSV (recon surveillance vehicles) and emulate the roles that the 2x regular Cavalry Regiments (2nd Cavalry Regiment and 2/14 LHR) perform. The reasoning behind this is that it's a cheaper way to get better trained reserve soldiers that can "fill in" regular units as required, without the maintenance overheads and subsequent training deficiencies that exist by having reserve soldiers attempting to become qualified on technically complex equipment. Basically the units can concentrate on individual and small unit skillsets without having to worry about becoming proficient on advanced vehicles, during their limited training times.

A Landrover RSV can "simulate" an ASLAV during exercises, thus the skill of the soldier can be concentrated upon. Should a need exist for reserve soldiers to "flesh out" regular units, conversion courses can be rapidly undertaken...

2nd Cavalry Regiment and 2/14 LHR (QMI) (Recon) are light Cavalry units equipped with the ASLAV recon vehicle. Their job is to provide armoured recon capability for the regular land force. They also provide light fire support, convoy protection and scouting duties for their respective brigades.

1 Armoured Regiment (the tank regiment you refer to) operates the Leopard AS1 tank at present, though it is currently working up on M1A1 having received it's allocation of M1A1 tanks in early Marcch 2007.

It's job is to provide a tank capability to assist the combat force in close combat operations and obviously provide an anti-armour capability for the land force.

The difference basically boils down to this: the tanks fight and the ASLAV's scout for information...

Best of luck. I hazard a guess that if you are joining right now, then you are probably headed eventually to 1 Armoured Regiment to operate M1A1's...

Thanks for the comprehensive answer AD. Apart from being good information for Brycec it also explained to an older citizen (me!) the rationale for re-equipping the reserve APC units with RSVs, apart from saving money.

I'd also like to wish Brycec well for a successful career. With the army going through an expansion stage it seems to me like a good time to join. Just a pity they don't employ people my age! I liked the look of that M1A1 at Avalon and the infantry no longer appeals!

Cheers

 

[Aussie Digger]

Thanks for the comprehensive answer AD. Apart from being good information for Brycec it also explained to an older citizen (me!) the rationale for re-equipping the reserve APC units with RSVs, apart from saving money.

I'd also like to wish Brycec well for a successful career. With the army going through an expansion stage it seems to me like a good time to join. Just a pity they don't employ people my age! I liked the look of that M1A1 at Avalon and the infantry no longer appeals!

Cheers

No problems. The need for the change from an M113 to a Landrover type vehicle in the RAAC reserve units was apparent for some time, with limited allocation of resources to the reserve units (the high readiness regular units obviously being the priority).

The lack of resources often meant 2-3 or more "cars" (M113's) were unavailable for exercises for extended periods per troop (6x cars equipped a troop on the "CES"), with the obvious flow on effects for training capability.

Army then changed the role of the units from APC regiments (ie: designed to provide armoured personnel lift capacity and fire suipport) for infantry units to "light recon units" and motorised the infantry units, with Perentie 6x6 vehicles.

We then had reserve cavalry regiments clunking around in M113A1 vehicles, with NO recon capability in terms of sensors or equipment and with vehicles they could largely not maintain.

A ridiculous situation to be sure and with the Landrover RSV re-equipping the units, it should allow them to concentrate more on core tasks. Of course the "kit lovers" aren't happy because the units don't have a "shiny bit of kit" to display anymore (though the "gunned up" RSV's, fitted with multiple MAG-58 GPMG's are pretty impressive and look little different to the SASR and 4RAR Commando patrol vehicles, IMHO) but for training purposes and operational capability reasons, it's a much better situation.

This is the same reasoning why reserve artillery units look likely to re-equip with 81mm mortars, under the new "long ranged mortar" project. The main difference being that there isn't quite so significant difference in capability between the 81mm mortar to be acquired and the M2A2 105mm pieces they are currently, in range anyway...

 

[Brycec]

All soldiers do the same basic training course at Kapooka. Regular soldiers then go on to do an "advanced basic" course. You will have soldiers that are destined for many different Corps within your platoon and course in general.

As an Armoured Corps soldier you then go on to do your IET course as an armoured vehicle crewman (driver) at Puckapunyal (Victoria). You will be tld before hand which unit you will be posted to, which will determine which course you do. If you're going to 1 Armd Regiment you'll do the M1A1 driver/servicers course, 2nd Cav Regt/ 2/14LHR - ASLAV drivers course and so on.

Infantry Corps personnel go on to do their IET at Singleton (NSW).

The light cavalry formations you refer to (there are more than 1) are what has replaced the former APC and "light recon" regiments. They are reserve units (although like all reserve units have regular "cadre" staff to perform maintenance, operate guard rooms, organise courses, exercises etc).

They operate Landrover RSV (recon surveillance vehicles) and emulate the roles that the 2x regular Cavalry Regiments (2nd Cavalry Regiment and 2/14 LHR) perform. The reasoning behind this is that it's a cheaper way to get better trained reserve soldiers that can "fill in" regular units as required, without the maintenance overheads and subsequent training deficiencies that exist by having reserve soldiers attempting to become qualified on technically complex equipment. Basically the units can concentrate on individual and small unit skillsets without having to worry about becoming proficient on advanced vehicles, during their limited training times.

A Landrover RSV can "simulate" an ASLAV during exercises, thus the skill of the soldier can be concentrated upon. Should a need exist for reserve soldiers to "flesh out" regular units, conversion courses can be rapidly undertaken...

2nd Cavalry Regiment and 2/14 LHR (QMI) (Recon) are light Cavalry units equipped with the ASLAV recon vehicle. Their job is to provide armoured recon capability for the regular land force. They also provide light fire support, convoy protection and scouting duties for their respective brigades.

1 Armoured Regiment (the tank regiment you refer to) operates the Leopard AS1 tank at present, though it is currently working up on M1A1 having received it's allocation of M1A1 tanks in early Marcch 2007.

It's job is to provide a tank capability to assist the combat force in close combat operations and obviously provide an anti-armour capability for the land force.

The difference basically boils down to this: the tanks fight and the ASLAV's scout for information...

Best of luck. I hazard a guess that if you are joining right now, then you are probably headed eventually to 1 Armoured Regiment to operate M1A1's...

Thx so much! Really great post. As usual, packed with info. Answered everything I asked and even answered things I didn't know I wanted to ask!
One thing occurred to me a little while ago. How is 1 Armoured supposed to replace 90 leopards with 59 Abrams? Are they planning on keeping some leopards?

 

[Aussie Digger]

Thx so much! Really great post. As usual, packed with info. Answered everything I asked and even answered things I didn't know I wanted to ask!
One thing occurred to me a little while ago. How is 1 Armoured supposed to replace 90 leopards with 59 Abrams? Are they planning on keeping some leopards?

They are losing a troop of tanks per Squadron. Basically 1 Armoured Regiment is being re-structured around the NATO force structure size, whereas beforehand it was larger.

90 Leopard "gun tanks" were acquired in the initial Leopard acquisition project, but they weren't all issued to 1 Armoured Regiment.

FYI, only 41x Abrams tanks are to be issued to 1 Armd Regiment. The others equip the School of Army, trade training schools at Bandiana etc and there are some attrition hulls.

The capability of the Abrams and the fact that all 3 Sqns will now be manned by regulars (previously 1x Leopard Sqn was entirely reserve) will result in improved capability, overall...

 

[Brycec]

They are losing a troop of tanks per Squadron. Basically 1 Armoured Regiment is being re-structured around the NATO force structure size, whereas beforehand it was larger.

90 Leopard "gun tanks" were acquired in the initial Leopard acquisition project, but they weren't all issued to 1 Armoured Regiment.

FYI, only 41x Abrams tanks are to be issued to 1 Armd Regiment. The others equip the School of Army, trade training schools at Bandiana etc and there are some attrition hulls.

The capability of the Abrams and the fact that all 3 Sqns will now be manned by regulars (previously 1x Leopard Sqn was entirely reserve) will result in improved capability, overall...

One last question before I let this thread die.
Who is more likely to be sent overseas? A crewman of an ASLAV, or a crewman of an Abrams?

 

[Aussie Digger]

One last question before I let this thread die.
Who is more likely to be sent overseas? A crewman of an ASLAV, or a crewman of an Abrams?

An ASLAV crewman, no doubt. They have previously deployed to East Timor and are currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We haven't deployed MBT's since Vietnam...

 

[Brycec]

An ASLAV crewman, no doubt. They have previously deployed to East Timor and are currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We haven't deployed MBT's since Vietnam...

Yeah, thats what i thought. Alright, ASLAV crewman looks like a nice alternative to a rifleman. Still, everytime I go to the defjob website I find another career that looks appealing. Thx again for the great replies.

 

[Tasman]

Still, everytime I go to the defjob website I find another career that looks appealing. Thx again for the great replies.

Looks like Defence is doing something right in their advertising!

Cheers

 

[Aussie Digger]

Not that I'd state to anyone that they shouldn't join Army, but I would suggest having a look at a site like this first, to get SOME idea of what they're really in for...

http://www.ftarmy.com/Realwork.htm

The fact that it's already blocked by the DRN (Defence Restricted Network) should be illuminating....

 

[sparta]

like i say about the navy, modernize the defense force so the stakeholders feel valued....simple.

 

[Brycec]

Not that I'd state to anyone that they shouldn't join Army, but I would suggest having a look at a site like this first, to get SOME idea of what they're really in for...

The fact that it's already blocked by the DRN (Defence Restricted Network) should be illuminating....

"Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so? There's a support group for that. It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar."

Well not quite... I'm not joining the army because i think it's going to be a great job, I'm joining because I've always wanted to do it. Its a life option for me. Some people at school just want to hit it rich, well in 10 years I want to be sitting in the field cammed up and dirty, eating some shitty satay from a rat pack. I don't care about the Tax, accommodation, mobile phones or food.
Some of those guys on the talk page should just harden up.
U make the choice to join the army for 5 years, so stick it out. Its that easy. I'm sure the military has been similar for the last 2000 years or so.

 

[sparta]

thats the stuff take no prisoners, join cos u want to not because its gunna be cute and furry or that it makes u a millionaire. and remember this quote "sooner or later son, everyone will be a target to someone. at least we have a choice and the tools to survive this goddamn skimish and if today is the day I die I gunna take as many as those heathen noggies with me!" :devil

 

[Aussie Digger]

"Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so? There's a support group for that. It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar."

Well not quite... I'm not joining the army because i think it's going to be a great job, I'm joining because I've always wanted to do it. Its a life option for me. Some people at school just want to hit it rich, well in 10 years I want to be sitting in the field cammed up and dirty, eating some shitty satay from a rat pack. I don't care about the Tax, accommodation, mobile phones or food.
Some of those guys on the talk page should just harden the fuck up.
U make the choice to join the army for 5 years, so stick it out. Its that easy. I'm sure the military has been similar for the last 2000 years or so.

That's the spirit son, imagine how capable we'd be if only our Diggers were as hard as our cadets eh? nfloorl:

FYI, the Australian Army is 106 years old, not 2000 and the Army is NOT my job. Hasn't been for 7 years now and I don't miss the day to day bullsh*t one little bit.

Did your cadet officer tell you that little ditty? Maybe you heard it at an open day somewhere...

Let me guess, you're at least a Cadet CSM right?

No doubt I should be calling you sir, because you outranked me eh? I was only only a Corporal afterall...

 

[Brycec]

That's the spirit son, imagine how capable we'd be if only our Diggers were as hard as our cadets eh? nfloorl:

FYI, the Australian Army is 106 years old, not 2000 and the Army is NOT my job. Hasn't been for 7 years now and I don't miss the day to day bullsh*t one little bit.

Did your cadet officer tell you that little ditty? Maybe you heard it at an open day somewhere...

Let me guess, you're at least a Cadet CSM right?

No doubt I should be calling you sir, because you outranked me eh? I was only only a Corporal afterall...

Look, i really wasn't referring to you, but to the website you linked in general. And was talking about armies in general, Theres still the same bullshit that there was 2000 years ago in armies halfway across the world.
I know how superior you are than me, and how I should bow down in praise to your greatness, as I am a mere Staff sergeant Cadet! But in all honesty, its your life choice. You may be glad to be out, but at least keep the complaining, (of which there was no shortage of on that site,) to a minimum while your in there, you made the choice, at least follow through.
So, sir please take no offense.

 

[Aussie Digger]

Look, i really wasn't referring to you, but to the website you linked in general. And was talking about armies in general, Theres still the same bullshit that there was 2000 years ago in armies halfway across the world.
I know how superior you are than me, and how I should bow down in praise to your greatness, as I am a mere Staff sergeant Cadet! But in all honesty, its your life choice. You may be glad to be out, but at least keep the complaining, (of which there was no shortage of on that site,) to a minimum while your in there, you made the choice, at least follow through.
So, sir please take no offense.

Thanks for the advice mate. Perhaps once you have actually experienced it, then you can speak with ANY authority on whether they should complain, or otherwise.

As I said earlier, I don't intend to persuade people AGAINST joining, but I DO feel people should be better informed than they will be simply from defencejobs.com.au...

Here's another little ditty for you that you'l come to know in due course, "don't call me sir, I work for a living"...

 

[Brycec]

Thanks for the advice mate. Perhaps once you have actually experienced it, then you can speak with ANY authority on whether they should complain, or otherwise.

As I said earlier, I don't intend to persuade people AGAINST joining, but I DO feel people should be better informed than they will be simply from defencejobs.com.au...

Here's another little ditty for you that you'l come to know in due course, "don't call me sir, I work for a living"...

Like I said mate, Im just a cadet. Never claimed to have any experience or authority. And, like I said, i was never attacking you. I think I'm entitled to state my opinion though, and I'm pretty opinionated on people who complain.
However, I think the site you linked could be a valuable tool for people considering the army as a career tool. And yeah, the only source of information I really have is defencejobs.com which is naturally biased.
Thanks for the responses though. Good advise.

 

[sparta]

i agree aussie digger, although i do miss blowing crap up and dragging officer cadets through the bush tied up in their bag cos they fell asleep on picket, damn i miss dat....the squeling,cursing of the WO after...the wee laughter of the hardasses in the bar....
but honestly join up enjoy do not believe that its the only choice being a cadet is easy no one dies, its black and white cos the UN doesn't interfere and when you escort sailors to their tub you don't get condoms full of piss thrown at you by understanding folk...dont get me wrong I luv my country its people and this freedom....i just wish people were not sheep and believe alot of the crap that goes on.

 

[Brycec]

i agree aussie digger, although i do miss blowing crap up and dragging officer cadets through the bush tied up in their bag cos they fell asleep on picket, damn i miss dat....the squeling,cursing of the WO after...the wee laughter of the hardasses in the bar....
but honestly join up enjoy do not believe that its the only choice being a cadet is easy no one dies, its black and white cos the UN doesn't interfere and when you escort sailors to their tub you don't get condoms full of piss thrown at you by understanding folk...dont get me wrong I luv my country its people and this freedom....i just wish people were not sheep and believe alot of the crap that goes on.

Actually a guy in my company died last week.