ENLISTMENT PROCEDURES AND INITIAL TRAINING PROGRAM: KAPOOKA ARMY BASE

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1 Enlistment Procedures and Initial Training Program: Kapooka Army Base ENLISTMENT PROCEDURES AND INITIAL TRAINING PROGRAM: KAPOOKA ARMY BASE Linda Campbell Officer Commanding 17th Psychology Unit Alan Smith Officer Commanding A Company First Recruit Training Battalion Kapooka Army Base New South Wales THIS PAPER IS NOT A PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS, BUT IS INTENDED purely to outline the workings of the Army's Recruit Training Battalion. Specifically, the aim is to outline the following aspects of the 1st Recruit Training Battalion (1 RTB): recruiting and selection procedures; recruit training; factors affecting recruit training; types of problems encountered; behavioural responses; resources available to deal with these responses; and preventative measures. Recruit and Selection Procedures In order to be accepted for military training, applicants must first pass through a series of selection filters. They must first meet age and citizenship criteria. Applicants are then given a battery of aptitude tests, which differs slightly according to the nature of entry applied for. Generally these screen for general ability/logical reasoning and literacy, and highlight any obvious emotional instability. 245

2 Preventing Youth Suicide After successfully completing this stage, a structured interview is conducted by a qualified Army psychologist to examine the applicant's family background, education, employment history, social relations, sports and interests, history of antisocial behaviour (if applicable) and motivation to enlist. An extensive medical examination is performed, and police and security checks are conducted. After a second interview, an Army enlistment officer makes a decision regarding the individual's suitability on the basis of recommendations of others involved in the selection process and the applicant's presentation. In the case of officer and apprenticeship entry, the applicant must also appear before a selection board and be considered in competition with others. Given that it is every citizen's right to bear arms in defence of his/her country and that enlistment is voluntary, it must be stressed that the Army employs a practice of negative selection. That is, an applicant is considered suitable unless there is evidence to suggest he/she would be placed at risk or place others at risk through military service. Whilst a psychologist may advise against enlisting an applicant due to personality or behavioural concerns, it is only the medical officer or enlistment officer who has the power to reject an applicant as having an unsuitable character. Statistically speaking, a typical recruit on enlistment at 1 RTB is 18 years of age, male, has reached year 10 of education and enlists out of desire for a secure career. Recruit Training The base 1 RTB is situated within the Kapooka Military Area, which is located 10 km west of Wagga Wagga, NSW. Training at 1 RTB is based on a thirteen-week program and is designed to inculcate the knowledge, skills and attitudes required by all soldiers of the Army, regardless of the trade or specialised area in which they may be subsequently employed. Skills/subjects taught The skills and/or subjects taught during training include shooting, weapon handling, fieldcraft, physical fitness, drill, soldierly qualities, navigation, first aid, character guidance and development, development of self-discipline, and standards. Lifestyle The training program is centred on the platoon group which consists of up to fifty recruits and six training staff. The recruits live in a barrack room, or dormitory, style of accommodation with four to a room, a platoon to each floor. Daily routine The daily routine commences with reveille at 6 am, breakfast at 6.30 am and training at 7.20 am. The day is broken up into a series of forty-minute periods with a ten-minute break between periods and concludes with lights out at 10 pm. This constitutes a long day involving a lot of physical activity and mental concentration. All of these activities occur in an environment of imposed discipline, constant supervision and continual assessment. Therefore, it is a closed and potentially stressful environment. 246

3 Enlistment Procedures and Initial Training Program: Kapooka Army Base Assessment The recruits are under constant assessment of their performance and assimilation of the training they receive. Other aspects of assessment include what are regarded as soldierly qualities: attitude, energy, effort given into the activity, motivation, desire to learn and succeed, common sense, application, teamwork, a principal pillar in the framework of the military system, drive, maturity and perseverance to work through and stick to the task in hand, despite the fact that it may be hard and they are tired. One result of this type of environment, training and assessment is the amount of stress and pressure that the recruits have placed on them and subsequently on the instructors. To some degree this is deliberate, and their ability to cope with it is also assessed as these factors together can mean the difference between life and death on the battlefield. Factors Affecting Recruits' Performance A recruit's performance at 1 RTB is affected by a range of factors. Many of these are constant in that they are relatively similar for all recruits and relate to the training environment. Factors include the Army Training System which is a performance oriented approach to training and the instructional skills of those applying the system. The initial culture shock and feelings of isolation, together with the pressures and stress of the training environment also play a part in recruits' performance. The degree to which these environmental factors affect recruits varies as a function of a recruit's pre-1 RTB environment, chance and individual differences. Given that chance is unpredictable and a person's background is predetermined and uncontrollable, individual difference is the only factor that staff can deal with directly and over which they can exert some influence. Individual differences The influence of individual differences on recruits' performance can be examined in five broad areas. First, a recruit with higher mental and physical capacity will have a better chance of succeeding at 1 RTB than one with lower level capabilities. Second, in terms of Cattel's personality factors, a recruit who is 'extroverted' and 'stable' has a better training/adjustment prognosis than someone displaying unstable and introverted qualities. This is, however, a very simplistic model and in real terms open to subjective interpretation by training staff. Third, the ability to socialise effectively with one's peers promotes adjustment to the training environment. This is to some degree influenced by the personality make-up of the platoon. Fourth, a recruit's background, including such factors as age, education, previous employment, sporting interests and family background can influence his/her potential to adjust. Finally, motivation is probably the main area of individual differences which affects performance and over which staff have the greatest influence. Essentially, an appropriately motivated recruit identifies with group needs, sees basic needs as being met, and responds positively to the use of feedback and reward for training staff. Types of problems encountered All of these environmental and individual factors can combine to cause the following types of problems for recruits: 247

4 Preventing Youth Suicide medical problems (due to illness or injury); external (non-1 RTB) problems (such as family or finance related); training problems (due to poor fitness, coordination or assimilation); personality/behavioural problems (though less common, they are occasionally evidenced); adjustment problems (such as situational or separation anxiety); and attitude/motivation problems (particularly during the initial stage of training when a recruit is coming to terms with an alien environment). Behavioural responses As a result of these actual or perceived difficulties, a recruit's frustration, anxiety and feelings of helplessness may trigger a range of responses. In some cases, an individual will choose to act out those feelings by becoming a discipline liability. Generally, however, it is recognised that this is an inappropriate and potentially punishable reaction, and usually recruits opt for a type of avoidance response. Avoidance may take the form of absence without leave, application for discharge, or physical complaints suggestive of somatoform disorders. Others withdraw to the point where there is a sharp decline in coping skills and subsequently training standard. In a very small minority of cases, a recruit will threaten suicide. Attempts by members of the Army are far lower than the general community and, of those, almost all can be considered merely attention-seeking gestures, predominantly in order to manipulate discharge. Resources Available A number of resources are available to the recruits to help them overcome their problems and adapt their responses to achieve the desired result to become a successful soldier. These resources include: Platoon Staff and Company Staff: These people, with whom recruits spend most of their time, provide the initial contact and counselling for the recruits. They also provide the initial assessment for referral to other support agencies. Medical Staff: These include Medical Officers (GPs) and specialist medical personnel usually civilians from Wagga, Canberra or Sydney. Psychology Staff: Psychologists from 17 Psychology Unit provide counselling and assessment for the recruits and advice to the training staff to assist in the management of the recruits. Psychiatric Staff: A civilian psychiatrist from Wagga is used when required, along with the facilities of Wagga Base Hospital. Recruits may be referred to the psychiatrist by a Medical Officer. Chaplains: Chaplains representing the Catholic, Anglican and Protestant denominations form part of the Regular Army staff at Kapooka. Other specialist religious support, such as Passover and Kosher meals for those of the Jewish faith, can also be provided. Community Services: The Army Community Services counsellors can also be called upon to provide assistance and support for the recruit, and his family, 248

5 Enlistment Procedures and Initial Training Program: Kapooka Army Base where and when required. Together, these agencies provide a major, sustained and closely knit support system. Preventative Measures A number of measures, or methods, to aid in the prevention, early detection and recovery of the problems and behavioural responses have been built into the training program and system of management for the recruits. These measures, or methods, include: Staff Training: As part of the initial selection and introduction process for instructional staff at 1 RTB, training is given by psychologist and padre staff on the basic psychology of recruit problems, how to identify them, and counselling skills and techniques to supplement the formal military training all officers/ncos already receive in leadership, management, interviewing and other command skills. Refresher Training: Refresher training is given progressively throughout the instructor's posting and includes counselling and other skills directed at assisting recruits to cope with all likely difficulties. Early Identification: This is the most important, and possibly the most difficult, factor to achieve. There is a reliance on the platoon staff to achieve this through initial interviews on the recruits' arrival and by close monitoring and association throughout their training. Stress Management: Stress management techniques, and coping skills can be taught in conjunction with the setting of short-term goals for both trainers and trainees. This enables more encouragement and the development of confidence and self-reliance. Compassionate/Emergency Leave: The use of this type of leave, in conjunction with other support agencies such as Army Community Services, can relieve, or even solve, many external pressures thus allowing the recruit to concentrate on his/her training. Discharge Option: An enlisted recruit is required to serve a minimum of four years on an Open Ended Enlistment (OEE) contract. The soldier is then required to give six months notice when requesting discharge from the Army. A recruit may, in the first three months of training, apply for a discharge. As the Discharge Authority the Commandant of 1 RTB may, unless serious compassionate circumstances exist, hold a recruit's application for discharge at own request for up to twenty-eight days. This is to allow counselling by training staff and/or other support agencies and also allow the recruit time to overcome the initial culture shock of his first few weeks in the Army. If at the end of this period the recruit still requests discharge, the application should be approved. This option provides an excellent safety valve as the recruit no longer feels trapped in his current circumstances. 249

6 Preventing Youth Suicide Conclusion At 1 RTB, and in the Army as a whole, emphasis is placed on maximum retention of personnel through optimal man-management and leadership. The Army attempts to train as many recruits as possible to the standard where they can perform effectively as soldiers in operational units. It is reluctant to discharge potentially trainable soldiers without good cause. The Army's role is to train for war. Induction into a peacetime Army is a particularly stressful experience for all recruits, but reactions to this vary from soldier to soldier. The Army recognises and acknowledges this fact in the formulation of its training policies, by employing specially selected military trainers and specialist supporting staff and by continual development of effective man-management and leadership skills. At 1 RTB, as in the entire Army, personal development, strength of character, selfreliance and enhancement of self-esteem are addressed as crucial to soldiering. In fostering these qualities, the Army is continuing its long tradition of producing young Australians who are physically, intellectually and spiritually prepared for the stresses of any contingency be it military or civil. 250