The Australian Army: An Aide-Memoire April 2014
Copyright Commonwealth of Australia This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Department of Defence. The Australian Army: An Aide-Memoire Version 1.2, 2014 (R17358478 as at 6 May 14) Published by Enquiries Sponsor Directorate of Plans Army Army Headquarters Director-General Strategic Plans Army Chief of Army
The Australian Army: An Aide Memoire April 2014
Contents The Australian Army... 1 Land Power... 1 The Strategic Utility of Land Power... 2 Army s Philosophy... 3 Strategic Tasks... 4 Capability... 5 Modernisation... 6 Force Generation... 7 Structure... 8 Generic Unit Structure... 10 Unit Nomenclature... 10 Combined Arms Teaming: Training and Preparing for Operations... 12 In-barracks and Operational Nomenclature... 13 Shared Functions and Services... 14 1st Division (Deployable Joint Force Headquarters)... 15 Conventional Capability... 16 The Combat Brigade... 16 The Infantry Battalion... 17 The Armoured Cavalry... 18 The Artillery Gun... 20 The Combat Engineer... 21 The Combat Signals... 22 The Combat Service Support Battalion... 23
Enabling Formation Capability... 25 16th Aviation Brigade... 26 6th (Combat Support) Brigade... 27 17th Combat Service Support Brigade... 29 Special Operations Capability... 31 Army Reserve Capability... 33 Total Force... 33 The Army Reserve... 34 Army Reserve Structures... 35 Outside the Second Division... 37 Training in Army... 38 Army Training System... 39 Army Training Continuum... 39 Joint and Contractor Delivered Training... 39 Individual Training Centres... 40 Army Knowledge Group... 41 Royal Military College of Australia... 42 Combined Arms Training Centre... 43 Army Logistics Training Centre... 44 Army Aviation Training Centre... 45 Defence Command Support Training Centre... 46 Special Forces Training Centre and Parachute Training School... 47 University s... 47 Ranks, Corps and Employment Categories... 48 Ranks... 48 Corps... 50 Employment Categories... 51 Army s Disposition... 52 Glossary... 55
Army s Values Army s cultural and ethical foundation is its values and the bonds of trust and respect between each and every person who joins in service to our Nation. Values form the bedrock of everything we do: Courage, moral and physical, to act in the best interests of the Nation and the Army; including the moral strength and professionalism to balance the will to win with compassion, and mateship with duty. Initiative to explore opportunities and embrace innovation to improve Army and our service to our Nation. Respect for ourselves, our colleagues, our community and our history of service to the Nation; acknowledging that each member of Army has earned the right to wear the Rising Sun Badge and the responsibility to uphold the values and traditions it symbolises. Teamwork to support each other, our Australian community, our allies and our regional security partners in striving to achieve our mission; in a world connected by digital communication, such national and international communities exist in both physical and online domains. Lieutenant General David Morrison, AO Chief of Army
The Australian Army Formed on 1 March 1901, the Australian Army is one of the nation s oldest institutions. It continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Australians through sacrifice and long service to the nation. The Australian Army is the foundation of the nation s Land Power and has the mission: To Win the Land Battle. As part of an Australian Defence Force (Joint force), it promotes and protects Australia s interests, deters threats to Australia s sovereignty and, if necessary, defeats those threats. To achieve this, the Army must be able to generate credible and sustainable land forces. Australia s limited size will always mean its Army is a small force: capable of Brigade and lower manoeuvre and be a meaningful contributor to coalitions of different national forces. It is through quality people, intellectual investment and technological development that the Army achieves credible forces that provide relevant options to Government. Underpinning Army s ability to meet government direction is an understanding of the Strategic Utility of Land Power, Army s Philosophy, the Strategic Tasks, Army s Capability and Structure. Land Power Land Power is the ability to project force in and from land in peace, crisis and war to advance strategic and operational outcomes. Only land power can provide persistent influence on land: that is, a continuous physical presence which shapes intentions, denies threat access to resources, protects populations and builds the capacity of indigenous security forces. Land power lies within a larger approach to using national and military power and reinforces the instruments of national power: Diplomatic, Information, Military and Economic. Although land power consists of national and military elements, the Army forms its foundation and is the only element capable of close combat. An Aide Memoire Page 1
The Strategic Utility of Land Power The employment of land forces over the last fifteen years in peace, crisis and war illustrates the inherent utility of land power. Australia s strategic culture over the last century has been to use Army force elements to apply land power in an expeditionary manner to achieve national political objectives. Within the military component of national power, Australia s Maritime Strategy (1) requires an Army which provides rapid and scalable land force options to Government across the spectrum of operations. The spectrum can include such actions as responding to tensions in times of peace (such as economic rivalries, diplomatic friction and ideological differences); deterring aggression; peacekeeping; through to fighting in joint and coalition operations. Deterrence and Response. Through credible land power, a nation achieves Strategic Deterrence, and the ability to generate Strategic Response. Strategic Deterrence influences the thoughts and behaviours of others to reduce the likelihood of future threats to Australian and its interests. Strategic Deterrence includes both the positive effect of influence and the negative effect of operational (military) deterrence. If a threat or crisis does arise, Land Power provides flexibility for response. Many nations in the world remain predominately land powers - their perception of Australia s land power can shape and influence their intents and actions. Strategic Response is the ability to conduct rapid reaction to crisis or threat developments, whether deriving from natural disaster, emergency or armed threat. Land power offers Government flexibility by providing the means to respond to changing circumstances. Furthermore, credible Land Power can operate across the entire land domain including the physical, electromagnetic and cyber dimensions while also being able to influence the air and sea. These capabilities provide strategic response the ability to conduct rapid reaction to crisis or threat developments. The lack of a credible land force can have consequences which directly affect national security in the event of a failure of strategic deterrence. Australia may not then be able to respond to a crisis or conflict that is in the national interest due to limited land force options. 1 The Maritime Strategy seeks to use the sea, and the maritime environment, as a means to actively protect and promote Australia s interests and influence strategic events in our region. It requires naval, air and land forces to operate in concert to influence and shape strategic events through the maritime environment by the astute application of military power (The Maritime Strategy for the Australian Defence Force). Page 2 The Australian Army
Army s Philosophy Army s philosophy integrates an understanding of the influences of Australia s national character, the nature of war, the utility of land power and Army s role in national military strategy. It embeds these influences within the need for a whole-ofgovernment and coalition responses to national security issues. Within the military element of national power, it maintains the expeditionary focus required by a Maritime Strategy. To achieve all of this the Army has embraced manoeuvre theory that uses physical means to produce psychological ends in order to achieve political and strategic objectives. Manoeuvre accepts war as a competition between opposing wills, framed in time and understanding, rather than by physical position alone. It relies on the ability to change physical and non-physical circumstances more rapidly than the enemy can adapt. Manoeuvre also seeks to understand how the enemy s strengths can be undermined. While it attempts to achieve the economic application of force, manoeuvre theory accepts that combined arms close combat is a central and enduring feature of land warfare and is required to create discrete physical destruction on an enemy that generates a greater cognitive effect, thereby reducing an enemy s will to fight. Manoeuvre occurs at all levels of command: Strategic Manoeuvre. Strategic manoeuvre is the coordinated application of the instruments of national power, directly or indirectly, in pursuit of national strategic objectives, and seeks to prevent or contain conflict. Strategic manoeuvre was particularly effective in the INTERFET operation of 1999 in which Australian and coalition forces were deployed to establish conditions to allow subsequent achievement of national and international political objectives in East Timor. Operational Manoeuvre. Operational manoeuvre prepares and postures forces in favourable situations to directly, or indirectly, achieve military strategic objectives within a campaign. It sets the conditions to allow tactical commanders to achieve mission success. Operational manoeuvre was used during the Second World War to dislocate the Japanese forces in Papua New Guinea by splitting forces on the northern coast while disrupting the Japanese command and control system at Lae. Tactical Manoeuvre. Tactical manoeuvre aims to win engagements and battles by placing forces in a position of relative advantage to the enemy, thereby contributing to the achievement of campaign objectives. An Aide Memoire Page 3
Strategic Tasks The Australian Government has set the Australian Defence Force four Principle Tasks: Deter and defeat armed attacks on Australia; Contribute to stability and security in the South Pacific and Timor-Leste; Contribute to military contingencies in the Indo-Pacific region, with priority given to Southeast Asia; and Contribute to military contingencies in support of global security. Government directs that Army is structured around the first two tasks. Army Strategic Tasks. Army s strategic tasks nest within and respond to the four principle tasks and the two structure determining tasks. They are shaped by the need for Strategic Deterrence and Response. The tasks may be conducted in isolation, concurrently or sequentially. The three Army strategic tasks are: Shaping Australia s strategic environment. Army contributes to the security of allies and other partners by providing training and materiel assistance. By participating in exercises, exchange programs and cooperative research, Army helps to develop and strengthen alliances and prospective coalition partners. This also promotes democratic institutions and general stability of the countries with which Army engages. Denying and Defeating threats to Australia and its interests. Army s core mission is to fight when deterrence and prevention fails. The Government and people of Australia expect the Army to achieve be capable of winning the fight should it occur. The conduct of sustained close combat in combined arms teams is the Army s unique contribution to the whole of government approach to war. Protecting and supporting Australian and foreign civil populations. Land forces have a pre-eminent role in protecting and supporting civil populations. Support can extend from civil community support in disasters and emergencies; to assistance to the civil authorities with border protection, counter-terrorism and terror attack response; through to evacuation of Australian and other nationals from hostile or crisis environments. These operations may be unilateral or multilateral missions with the United Nations or other coalition partners. Page 4 The Australian Army
Capability Capability might be defined as the collection of personnel, equipment, procedures and other physical components (2) that, when performing a particular function, provide a particular effect or outcome. Army is required to maintain a suite of capabilities which can be made ready to be used after a specific lead time (warning time or notice to move). This preparedness requirement is drawn from Government direction, defined at the Defence and Joint level and translated for Army into annual Chief of Army preparedness direction. The physical components of Army capability are based on a series of systems. A number of different sets of systems are used, reflecting the highly complex nature of land forces. For the purposes of this document, the following systems are used: Combat. Combat elements are those land force elements designed to engage the enemy with direct fire weapons, including armour, infantry, Special Forces and aviation. Combat support. Combat support elements provide offensive support and operational assistance to combat elements. Combat support elements include offensive support, ground-based air defence, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare elements, combat engineers and battlefield support aviation. Combat service support. Combat service support elements support the land force through the provision of sustainment, movement, distribution, health services, personnel services and equipment maintenance activities. 2 Defence describes the physical components of capability by using the term Fundamental Inputs to Capability. These are: organisation, personnel, major systems and supplies, support, facilities, collective training and command and management. The systems described in this section are made up of collections of physical elements that contribute to the performance of related high-level functions. An Aide Memoire Page 5
Command support. Command support elements enable commanders to execute their command responsibilities, exercise control and provide specialist advice. They include headquarters staff, communication and information systems capabilities, public affairs and civil military cooperation and military policing. Modernisation Modernisation is the process of continuous change that ensures Army capability remains capable of achieving its strategic tasks. Modernisation can involve any type of change, from change in procedures, training, organisations, to the employment of new equipment. Significant Army-wide change is underway with the development and introduction into service of new capabilities which impact on every area of Army. These changes include: Block replacement of all Army B Vehicles (Land 121). This will provide increased protection and mobility to all parts of Army, particularly those that have not had access to the higher levels of protection in current A Vehicle fleets. Networking and digitisation projects and programs. The complex introduction of a series of equipment, software and procedural changes that will move Army into a digital environment allowing for much greater situational awareness, information processing and communications capacity. Replacement of Army A (armoured) Vehicle (less Tank) fleets. Still in the early stages of development, the replacement of Army s light armoured forces will provide greater protection, mobility and firepower and the ability to all parts of the combined arms team. These changes represent a near total re-equipping of Army, and a movement from an analogue communications-based force with limited protection and firepower options to a force capable of gathering, processing and levering off information to complete a mission in a digital environment and against a range of threat levels. Army will continue to rely on people to operate systems and leverage the best outcome from equipment provided. Without the smart soldier of the future, the capability benefit of equipment replacements will not be fully realised. In addition to these land-specific changes, the Australian Defence Force is engaged in the process of implementing an amphibious capability. This is being triggered by the procurement of two Canberra-class Landing Helicopter Dock and other associated ships. However adapting to the change in size of these ships is not the main change the amphibious capability brings: the Australian Defence Force and the Army in particular need to develop skills and experience in the types of operations Page 6 The Australian Army
that are enabled by the availability of the ships. This includes opportunities that exist for peacekeeping and disaster relief as well the ability to deliver ground, sea and air forces over the shore should combat forces be required. Force Generation Force generation is the process by which Army ensures the capabilities Government expects it to have are ready for use. These forces need to be continuously available at the level of preparedness set for them. To move through force generation, individuals and collective organisations perform a series of activities that certify them as ready to be used at a certain level of competence. They will then hold that readiness for a period of time. The ready capability is the one called on first among those in the force generation cycle should Government require use of land forces. Once a period at ready is complete, personnel and equipment will be rested and reconstituted back to a basic level of collective competence. Army employs Force Generation Cycles, whereby different sets of the same capability will be performing their force generation activities in parallel, but offset to the other sets of the same capability. Different parts of the Army will operate in force generation cycles that differ in the number of phases (depending on the number of copies of a particular organisation or capability exist in Army) and the length (depending on the readiness requirement). The primary force generation cycle for in Army is a three-phase one of twelve months per phase. An Aide Memoire Page 7
Structure The Army is commanded by the Chief of Army. Army contains three Functional Commands and the Army Executive. Army Headquarters is the major part of the Executive. It supports the Chief to manage commitments; synchronise generation and preparation of forces; prepare for future challenges; inform strategic and operational planning; provide strategic corporate and policy development functions. Functional Commands. The role of each Functional Command differs according to the part they play in preparing Army s capability. Below the level of the Functional Commands are Formations and Units. Formations. Formations consist of a number of units commanded by a Headquarters. There are several types of Formation in Army: Combat Brigade. The Combat Brigade is the core of Army s conventional fighting force. The three Combat Brigade Headquarters command forces inbarracks and on operations. Enabling Brigades. Enabling formations include specialist capability that is best generated in a single formation. Individual Training Formations. Army s five individual training formations group Training Establishments into groups that provide initial entry, qualification and career development training for the soldier and officer throughout their career. The Training Formation also provides training development and specialist career management advice to Army. Reserve Formations. The 2nd Division consists of six formations, each of which commands Reserve units in a state-based region (the 9th Brigade includes both South Australia and Tasmania). The 2nd Division also commands the three Regional Force Surveillance Units, which cover northern Australia. The 1st Division and Special Operations Command do not contain Formations. Page 8 The Australian Army:
Formations and Units of the Australian Army 2014 ARMY EXECUTIVE Army Headquarters Army Financial Services Unit Career Management Army Australian Army History Unit Headquarters Australian Army Cadets The Australian Army Band Domestic Policing Unit Australian Army Staff Overseas HEADQUARTERS 1ST DIVISION HQ 1st Division 1st Signal Combat Training Centre 39 Operational Support Battalion 2nd/30th Training Group SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND Special Operations Headquarters Special Operations Engineer Special Air Service 1st Commando 2nd Commando Special Operations Logistics Squadron Special Operations Training Establishments Special Forces Training Centre Parachute Training School FORCES COMMAND Headquarters Forces Command Army Knowledge Group Combat Brigades 1st Brigade Headquarters 1st Brigade 1st Armoured 8th/12th, Royal Australian Artillery 1st Combat Engineer 1st Command Support 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian 1st Combat Service Support Battalion 3rd Brigade Headquarters 3rd Brigade 2nd Cavalry 4th, Royal Australian Artillery 3rd Combat Engineer 3rd Combat Signal 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion 7th Brigade Headquarters 7th Brigade 2nd/14th Light Horse (Queensland Mounted Infantry) 1st, Royal Australian Artillery 2nd Combat Engineer 7th Combat Signal 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian 8th/9th Battalion, The Royal Australian 7th Combat Service Support Battalion Enabling Brigades 6th Combat Support Brigade Headquarters 6th Combat Support Brigade 16th Air Land 20th Surveillance and Target Acquisition 6th Engineer Support 19th Chief Engineer Works 7th Signal 1st Intelligence Battalion 17th Combat Service Support Brigade Headquarters 17th Combat Service Support Brigade 145th Signal Squadron 2nd Force Support Battalion 9th Force Support Battalion 10th Force Support Battalion 1st Close Health Battalion 2nd General Health Battalion 3rd Health Support Battalion 1st Psychology Unit 1st Military Police Battalion 16th Aviation Brigade Headquarters 16th Aviation Brigade 1st Aviation 5th Aviation 6th Aviation 2nd Division Headquarters 2nd Division 8th Signals 4th Brigade 5th Brigade 8th Brigade 9th Brigade 11th Brigade 13th Brigade 51st Battalion, The Far North Queensland Northwest Mobile Force The Pilbara Training Establishments Royal Military College of Australia Headquarters Royal Military College of Australia Royal Military College - Duntroon Army Recruit Training Centre Land Warfare Centre Combined Arms Training Centre School of Armour School of Artillery School of Military Engineering School of Infantry Army Logistics Training Centre Army School of Logistic Operations Army School of Transport Army School of Ordnance Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Army School of Health Army Aviation Training Centre Defence Command Support Training Centre Defence Intelligence Training Centre Defence Force School of Music Defence Force School of Signals Defence Police Training Centre University s (under command 2nd Division Brigades) An Aide Memoire Page 9
Units. Units are groupings of personnel, equipment and other elements of capability organised to provide a collective capability outcome and managed as a single entity when in barracks. Usually commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel, they form the core of Army s fighting organisations. Units generally contain a single capability along with supporting elements which are required to allow the core capability to be employed. Along with the Army as a whole and their Corps, soldiers and officers will usually develop a sense of belonging to the unit. Generic Unit Structure While each type of unit will differ from units of other types, the structural framework will generally follow a similar pattern, shown on the next page. Unit Nomenclature Titles. Unit titles generally identify the role of the unit and the scale (and size) of the organisation. They may also link the current units to historical military organisations or allied military forces. In the 2nd Division units often trace their lineage to the First and Second Australian Imperial Force and pre-federation colonial militias. They also have strong historical links with particular regions, as the unit or one of its predecessors will have originally been raised in the area. Army attempts to maintain these links wherever possible. Titles in the regular Army do not generally trace back beyond the Second World War however many units have older predecessor units. Structural Conventions. Most units share a common structural framework (see Generic Unit Structures section below). However the titles used for each layer in this framework are different depending on the primary function of the unit and in some cases the Corps they are affiliated to (3). While there are exceptions at all levels, a unit is usually known as a Battalion, or Unit. Sub-units are usually a Company, Squadron or Battery. Below that will usually be a Troop or Platoon. Some units employ a fourth layer, the Section, Detachment or Patrol. 3 The Corps affiliation of a unit does not mean that the unit contains only members of that Corps. For example almost all units have combat service support and most have signals personnel in them, regardless of their type. Page 10 The Australian Army:
A group of individuals and equipment, including vehicles or weapons, form a brick or team. A number of Teams, along with a small Headquarters, form a sub-sub unit. A number of Sub sub units, along with a subunit Headquarters and in some cases a logistic element, form a Subunit A number of Subunits, along with a unit Headquarters, often a logistic and sometimes a specialist support subunit, form a Unit A number of units of different types, along with a Headquarters, form a Formation Section / Detachment Platoon / Troop Company / Squadron / Battery Battalion/ Brigade Note: Throughout this publication, silhouettes and other graphics for equipment types are intended to provide a generic indication of the type, rather than indicate a specific system. The exception is for capability-specific systems such as artillery and armoured vehicles, where current systems are shown. An Aide Memoire Page 11
. The term is used variously in the Army: In the Royal Australian Infantry Corps, Infantry Battalions are styled X Battalion, The Royal XXX (For example, Infantry Battalions in the Regular Army are X Battalion, The Royal Australian ). Regular Army Battalions are part of the Royal Australian, while Reserve Battalions are part of their respective State. An Infantry is an organisation containing one or more Battalions (which are the fighting unit), but smaller than a formation (Brigade). This convention is drawn from the British Army regimental system. Infantry s in both the British and Australian Armies are institutional, not fighting, organisations. Units of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps are titled s. Both the Artillery as a whole (the Royal of Australian Artillery) and its individual units are referred to as s. Combined Arms Teaming: Training and Preparing for Operations A combined arms team is a case-by-case mix of combat, combat support, combat service support and command support elements tailored to a specific combination of mission, threat and terrain. The philosophy of combined arms institutionalises the characteristics of versatility, agility and orchestration. It accustoms individuals and small teams to tailored, task-specific battle groups that can be rapidly reorganised, regrouped and re-tasked as a situation develops. The principles of combined arms are complementarity - the strengths of each arm cover the vulnerabilities of another; and dilemma, where the combined arms team imposes a dilemma upon the enemy in taking action to avoid the effects of one arm, they are exposed to another. Army s in-barracks structures (often referred to as raise train sustain or RTS structures) are designed to be modular and effective in contributing forces to combined arms teams. They also achieve resource and training economies of scale by providing collective training to a common capability type in a common organisation. Page 12 The Australian Army:
In-barracks and Operational Nomenclature To distinguish an operational organisation, Army uses different nomenclature for the operational grouping, based on the size of the deployed team. A formation, unit and subunit in-barracks will generally be referred to by its structural type (Battalion, Company, etc). The deployed group will generally be larger than its in-barracks equivalents due to the presence of enablers attached to the core in-barracks organisation. The illustration below shows the equivalencies and indicative sizes of in-barracks and operational organisations: In-barracks (raise, train, sustain) Operational (combined arms) Brigade Up to 3500 Task Force Up to 5000 Unit 400 to 700 Battle Group Up to 1200 Subunit 80 to 150 Combat Team Up to 200 An Aide Memoire Page 13
Shared Functions and Services The Australian Army is both an Armed Service of the Australian Defence Force and a Group within the Department of Defence. Army relies on functions provided by other elements of these larger organisations at all times. At Home. The Department of Defence, contractors and external agencies provide a number of functions for all Services, including Army, that are vital to the delivery of capability. Functions that might traditionally have been associated with an Army are not necessarily provided by the Army for itself. The number of services performed for Army (and other Services) by Departmental or external agencies has increased in recent years with the adoption of Shared Services models for key functions across the Department of Defence. The following table includes show some of the functions that Army does and does not undertake. Army: Trains personnel and collective units Sustains equipment at unit, formation and force level Manages land force capability development. Army does not: x Command forces on operations x Procure, own, operate or dispose of bases x Provide security at bases x House, accommodate or feed personnel x Procure equipment x Sustain equipment in and through the national support base x Procure most Information and Communications Technology services x x x x Provide most of its financial management Provide its own legal services Provide community services to soldiers Conduct civilian human resource management Provide its own in barracks health services On Operations. While on operations land forces form part of the Joint force and are allocated under the command of Headquarters Joint Operations Command for the period. In a Joint force the lines between all three Services of the Australian Defence Force will blur. Functions are provided by one Service to the other as required. A range of Government, non-government and contractor agencies will also be present in most operational settings. In many cases these organisations will also both provide and require provision of support functions. x Page 14 The Australian Army:
1st Division (Deployable Joint Force Headquarters) Headquarters 1st Division has a number of functions: Command of the 1st Division, which prepares Army Force Elements to meet specific operational and contingency requirements. Forming the Deployable Joint Force Headquarters, the Australian Defence Forces standing deployable Headquarters, which commands assigned force elements to meet specified operational and contingency requirements. Provides collective training and certification for forces preparing for deployment. The Commander First Division has an Australian Defence Force wide lead role in the development of the Australian Defence Force s amphibious concepts and capability. First Signals Combat Training Centre 39th Operational Support Battalion 2nd/30th Training Group Provide direct support communication and information system and combat service support to Deployable Joint Force Headquarters Provide general support communications and information systems support to Joint Task Force enablers for the command and control of assigned force elements Deliver advanced collective combat training to readiness forces in order to prepare them for operations and contingencies Provides force preparation and mounting support to ADF individuals and specialist teams, and sustain specified operations in order to enhance Joint capability and force protection. Command posted and force-assigned Army elements at RMAF Base Butterworth, Malaysia in order to train to directed levels of Foundation War Fighting while contributing to the Australian Defence Force International Engagement plan in the region. An Aide Memoire Page 15
Conventional Capability Army s conventional forces are centred on the Combat Brigade, enabled by Enabling Formations and the Army Reserve, and commanded by deployable command and control nodes. The Combat Brigade COMMAND COMBAT COMBAT SUPPORT COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT Brigade Headquarters Combat Signals Armoured Cavalry Standard Infantry Battalion (x2) Artillery Combat Engineer Combat Service Support Battalion The core of a one-star deployable Joint (and potentially Inter-Agency) Task Force Headquarters. Will receive attachments from specialist units, other services and The Combat Brigade agencies for a deployment. contains: Responsible for establishment and maintenance of voice and digital networks to the Brigade and to higher commands. Will incorporate specialist signals capabilities that are attached to the Brigade. Provides a battle group headquarters and three manoeuvre groups. The units provides a Tank Squadron, ASLAV Cavalry Squadron and an armoured lift capability for an infantry battle group Each provides a battle group headquarters and three manoeuvre groups. Employs a variety of light and medium weapons systems to provide a scalable response. A high degree of strategic mobility and can be tactically employed in a variety of platforms (Armour PMV-Bushmaster, Ship, Helicopter or fixed wing aircraft) Based on three M777A2 batteries. Provides joints fire support and effects coordination the Brigade. Capable to support three battle groups with joint fires observation and coordination. Provides mobility and survivability effects. Will receive additional construction engineering and Explosive Ordnance Disposal capabilities to deliver a full spectrum of military engineering capability. Provides second line maintenance, supply, distribution and protected lift capabilities to the Brigade units. Will be reinforced by other Combat Service Support capabilities and the specialist units attached to the Brigade About 3500 Regular Army personnel; The core of a 1- star deployable Joint Interagency Task Force; A modular force design based on three battle groups; scalable capability and effect response; balanced capabilities for flexible response to most likely contingencies; and Protected mobility and networked capabilities throughout. The Brigade will receive additional specialist capabilities from Enabling Brigades, Other Commands and Services, Interagency teams and Coalition partners. Page 16 The Australian Army:
The Infantry Battalion 5th & 7th; 1st, 2nd & 3rd; 6th & 8/9th Battalions, The Royal Australian (4) The Infantry remain the core of Army s war fighting capability. The infantry are a lethal and agile force capable of deploying by a variety of means into an operational area and tactically into combat, to close with and kill or capture the enemy. They are a vital element to any combined arms team and perform tasks across the spectrum of operations. Each Combat Brigade will consist of two Standard Infantry Battalions. The infantry are able to deploy by foot, helicopter, aircraft, ship, armoured personnel carrier and Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle, and must maintain an adaptive and agile capability to rapidly transition between these modes of mobility and combat. Each battalion consists of a headquarters that is capable of commanding a Battle Group. There are three Rifle Companies, a Support Company and Administration Company. 4 The 2nd Battalion is dedicated to the development and introduction of the Australian Amphibious Capability and has a different structure to the other Infantry Battalions. 3 rd Brigade contains two standard Infantry Battalions and the 2nd Battalion. An Aide Memoire Page 17
The Armoured Cavalry 1st Armoured, 2nd Cavalry and 2nd/14th Light Horse (Queensland Mounted Infantry) The Armoured Cavalry (ACR) provides the Brigade a multirole unit that provides a number of highly mobile, agile, protected and lethal fighting platforms. The ACR generates Army s armoured vehicle requirements for reconnaissance, surveillance, combat lift and close combat. Each al headquarters is capable of commanding a Battle Group. The subunits are a Tank Squadron of three troops (noting this may not initially be allocated to each Armoured Cavalry ), an ASLAV Squadron that includes three troops and a discrete surveillance troop, the APC Squadron (capable of lifting the dismounted combat elements of an infantry based battle group) and an Operational support Squadron capable of providing specialist Armoured vehicle support, repair and re-supply. Unit: REGIMENT Armoured Cavalry al Headquarters Sub-unit: SQUADRON Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron Cavalry Squadron Tank Squadron Combat Service Support Squadron Squadron Headquarters Squadron Headquarters Squadron Headquarters Squadron Headquarters Sub-sub unit: TROOP Lift Platoon Troop Platoon Specialist Lift Troop Main Q Store Transport Cavalry Troop Platoon Platoon Surveillance Troop Technical Support Tank Troop Platoon Platoon CORE CAPABILITY LOGISTIC SUPPORT CAPABILITY Page 18 The Australian Army:
Capabilities in the Armoured-Cavalry : Armour is the general term for a weapon system that combines firepower, protection and mobility. Tank. The role of tanks is in coordination with other arms, to close with and destroy the enemy using fire, manoeuvre and shock action. They provide protection and close, direct fire support to forces that they are employed as a part of. Cavalry. The role of cavalry is to locate, dislocate, and disrupt the enemy through the conduct of offensive, defensive and security actions. Armoured Personnel Carrier. An Armoured Personnel Carrier allows the safe and rapid movement of infantry in a combat zone, minimising casualties and maximising mobility. The Australian Army does not currently employ a true Infantry Fighting Vehicle, The Infantry Fighting Vehicle combines the capability of an Armoured Personnel Carrier with the greater firepower of light tank to enable forces to fight through an objective employing both the vehicle platform and the forces it protects and carries. An Aide Memoire Page 19
The Artillery Gun 8/12th, 4th and 1st, Royal Australian Artillery The Gun provides close offensive support to the combined arms team and coordinates the link to joint offensive support, targeting and related effects coordination. (Close in this context means that the effect delivered by the weapon system can be delivered close to the supported elements of the Combined Arms Teams the actual Artillery weapons may be at a significant distance.) The al Headquarters and Operations Support Battery will form part of the Brigade Headquarters as the Joint Fire Support Effects Coordination Cell, responsible for the planning, coordination and control of joint offensive support on behalf of the formation. It incorporates provision air support and airspace and force support control measures and plays an important role within the targeting process and technical intelligence of enemy offensive support. The delivery of fire support for the formation is through the three Gun Batteries, each equipped with the M777A2 Light weight Howitzer and provide each of the three battle groups with a battle group Joint Fire Support Effects Coordination Cell and Joint Fire Teams for each of the Brigades Combat Teams. Unit: REGIMENT Artillery Gun al Headquarters Op Support Battery Sub-unit: BATTERY Artillery Battery Rifle Company Rifle Company Battery Headquarters Combat Service Support Battery Battery Headquarters Main Q Store Sub-sub unit: TROOP Joint Fires Team Platoon Platoon Gun Troop 4 x M777A2 Technical Support Transport CORE CAPABILITY SPECIAILST SUPPORT CAPABILITY LOGISTIC SUPPORT Page 20 The Australian Army:
The Combat Engineer 1st, 3rd and 2nd Combat Engineer The Combat Engineer provides mobility and survivability, ensuring that the force is able to manoeuvre and protecting it from attack. It also contributes to missions designed to limit the mobility of an adversary. The Combat Engineer includes both combat and specialist Engineer capabilities. Unit: REGIMENT Combat Engineer al Headquarters Sub-unit: SQUADRON Combat Engineer Squadron (3x TP) Combat Engineer Squadron (2x TP) Support Squadron Combat Service Support Squadron Squadron Headquarters Squadron Headquarters Squadron Headquarters Squadron Headquarters Sub-sub unit: TROOP Troop Platoon Platoon Troop Platoon Plant Construction Main Q Store Technical Support Specialist Transport CORE CAPABILITY SPECIAILST SUPPORT CAPABILITY Emergency Response LOGISTIC SUPPORT Gap crossing equipment delivered under Project Land 155 and capability delivered under Land 400 will significantly enhance Combat Engineer capability. An Aide Memoire Page 21
The Combat Signals 1st, 3rd and 7th Combat Signal Combat Signals s provide command and control and command and control support to the Brigade to enable full spectrum complex warfighting operations. The Combat Signals establishes and maintains communications and information systems for deployed forces. The Signals contains two major types of Command and Control Nodes: the formation node, designed to provide the overall system, and the unit node, designed to link a manoeuvre unit (or battle group) to the wider system. Unit: REGIMENT Combat Signals al Headquarters Sub-unit: SQUADRON Signals Squadron Rifle Company Combat Service Support Squadron Squadron Headquarters Squadron Headquarters Sub-sub unit: TROOP Nodal Platoon Tp CIS Tp Main Q Store Technical Support Unit Unit Node Unit Node Node Transport CORE CAPABILITY LOGISTIC SUPPORT Digitisation is an Army-wide capability introduction program within the current Defence Capability Plan. Various Projects are or will deliver Communication and Information Systems, Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and other systems. These systems are being rolled out across Army (not just within the Signals units). Page 22 The Australian Army:
The Combat Service Support Battalion 1st, 3rd and 7th Combat Service Support Battalion The Combat Service Support Battalion provides combat service support to all units of the Brigade and other force elements where able to. While the Combat Service Support Battalion is organised along functional lines, almost all employment of the unit or elements of it will draw components from each Subunit (transport, workshop and supply). In addition, when deployed other capabilities, such as Catering and Health, may be attached to the combat service support group. Unit: BATTALION Combat Service Support Battalion Battalion Headquarters Sub-unit: SQUADRON COMPANY Transport Squadron Workshop Supply Company Sub-sub unit: TROOP PLATOON Squadron Headquarters Transport Troop Platoon Specialist Troop Protected Mobility Platoon Troop Workshop Headquarters Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Operations Vehicle Platoon General Engineering Platoon Electronic and Electronic Systems (EIR) Platoon Company Headquarters Control Office Warehouse Platoon Combat Service Support Troop (under Battalion Headquarters) Recovery Platoon CORE CAPABILITY LOGISTIC SUPPORT CAPABILITY An Aide Memoire Page 23
The Combat Service Support Battalion Transport Company includes a Protected Mobility Vehicle (Bushmaster) based capability. Protected Mobility provides protection to forces while they are being transported, but has a more limited protection and mobility (and much lower firepower) than armoured capability. Page 24 The Australian Army:
Enabling Formation Capability Army retains a proportion of its specialist capabilities within 6th, 16th and 17th Brigades. These formations and units provide Army enhanced capabilities and will be assigned to the Combat Brigade or other forces as required. Due to the relatively scarce nature of the capabilities, these units generally operate a two phase force generation cycle of being ready and preparing for being ready. This requires careful management to ensure enduring support to the Combat Brigade and other supported capabilities such as Special Operations Command and the Amphibious capability. These units often integrate specialist Army Reserve capabilities as part of the total force concept. An Aide Memoire Page 25
16th Aviation Brigade Headquarters 16th Aviation Brigade 1st Aviation Command and control of Army s aviation capability Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter 5th Aviation S-70A Blackhawk (to be replaced by the MRH-90) CH-47D Chinook (being replaced by CH-47F Chinook) 6th Aviation S-70A Blackhawk (to be replaced by the MRH-90) The CH-47F Chinook is a medium/heavy-lift helicopter used for troop movement, artillery emplacement and battlefield re-supply in support of both conventional and special forces. The Chinook can lift up to 11, 000kg or transport 30 fully equipped troops. The ARH Tiger is used in armed reconnaissance missions. It can engage ground or air targets with a 30mm cannon 70mm rockets and Hellfire missiles. It is optimised for Reconnaissance Attack and Escort missions in support of conventional and special forces. The MRH-90 is used primarily for Air Mobile and Amphibious Operations in support of both conventional and special forces and is capable of carrying 12 fully-equipped troops. Page 26 The Australian Army:
6th (Combat Support) Brigade Headquarters 6th Brigade 1st Intelligence Battalion 16th Air Land 20th Surveillance and Target Acquisition 7th Signals (Electronic Warfare) 6th Engineer Support Command and control of 6th Brigade All Source Cell (intelligence fusion and analysis) Human Intelligence, Information activities, Psychological Operations and Exploitation Capabilities Topographical Survey and geospatial intelligence RBS-70 Ground Based Air Defence Counter Rocket and Mortar system based on the Giraffe AMB and Mortar Locating Radar Air Land Integration Cells, Joint Terminal Air Control (JTAC) and Ground Liaison Detachments. Divisional Joint Fires Support Effects Coordination Cell. Shadow 200 Un-crewed Aerial System Artillery Meteorological and Survey Conducts tactical electronic warfare to enhance land combat capability Construction Engineering and Planning EOD capability 19th Chief Engineer (Works) Major Engineering planning and contract management An Aide Memoire Page 27
RBS-70 Giraffe Agile Multi-Band Radar Shadow 200 Un-crewed Aerial System Water Purification Unit Remote Positioning Vehicles / EOD robots Page 28 The Australian Army:
17th Combat Service Support Brigade Command and Control Headquarters 17th Combat Service Support Brigade 145th Signals Squadron 1st Military Police Battalion Command and control of 17th Brigade Deployed logistic command and control component Provision of communications and information systems support to units within 17th Brigade and where possible other enabling Brigades. 145th Squadron will merge into 1st Signals when facilities are available to collocate the two units. Provision of combat Military police functions including movement control and coordination, specialist detainee management, close personal protection, enforcing military discipline and basic investigation and evidence preservation. Health 1st Close Health Battalion 2nd General Health Battalion 3rd Health Support Battalion 1st Psychological Unit Provision of health support to the other brigades Includes initial wound and primary health care Provision of enhanced health facilities as a deployed hospital Includes initial wound, damage control surgery and allied health service Shock Trauma Platoon to provided an enhanced combat surgical capability to support 1st line health Providing specialist health support to Army through Army Reserve specialists Provides the ADF with a deployable Psychological care, advice and analysis capability for the monitoring and management of mental health and support to other operations An Aide Memoire Page 29
Logistics 9th Force Support Battalion 10th Force Support Battalion 2nd Force Support Battalion A multi-role 3rd line (General) logistic capability Incorporates combat supplies, warehousing, distribution, personnel services and catering capabilities A multi-role 3rd line (General) logistic capability Incorporates medium road transport capability, water transport operations, combat supplies, petroleum operations, postal and warehousing capabilities Incorporates a Reserve Transport and Recovery capability Establishes the Theatre gateway for deployed forces Levels of Combat Service Support: Integral (First Line) Support the logistic capabilities necessary to provide unit viability, that is, the level of support necessary to maintain a unit at its designated readiness level, regardless of the assigned mission. Close (Second Line) Support the support provided by a combat service support unit or formation attached to or under the command/control of the supported unit or formation. General (Third Line) Support support given to the force as a whole and includes more complex and/or lengthy CSS activities requiring greater security and stability. Mounting Base (Fourth Line) Support support is the deployment and sustainment of the force from the National Support Base through a logistic bridge to the theatre of operations Page 30 The Australian Army:
Special Operations Capability Special Operations Command units provide Army highly trained, robust and agile forces able to conduct a wide range of high risk operations. These force elements can operate either in support of the conventional Army, a Joint Task Force, or on their own. The range of tasks include long range strategic reconnaissance and surveillance, the ability to identify, fix and strike at targets of tactical and strategic importance, building the capacity of indigenous forces, close personal protection and provide specialist counter-terrorists forces for offshore incidents, or in support of the law enforcement. An Aide Memoire Page 31
The units of Special Operations Command are: Special Operations Headquarters Command and Control of Army Special Forces units Specialist advice to Senior Leadership on Special Operations Special Air Service Special Air Service capability 1st Commando Development of Army Reserve Special Forces capabilities 2nd Commando Commando capability Special Operations Engineer Special Forces Combat Engineering capability Special Operations Logistic Squadron Special Forces Training Centre Parachute Training Centre Designated close logistic support to the Command Individual training for Special Forces and other selected personnel Training development and support to trade management of Special Forces Individual training in all ADF parachute operations Training development for ADF parachute capabilities Page 32 The Australian Army:
Army Reserve Capability Total Force The Total Force concept ensures that the full capability available from all components of the workforce is utilised in support of Australian Defence Force operations and Whole of Government responses: in Army this includes Regular Army, Reserve Army and Civilian personnel. Within the military component of the Workforce, a range of forms of service are available, from full time (Regular) employment, through part time permanent, permanent part time to the traditional Reserve service. Operational Employment of the Total Force An Aide Memoire Page 33
The Army Reserve At its most fundamental level, the Army Reserve exists to deliver capability. It does so in two ways: direct and through community engagement. Direct. The first way the Reserve contributes to capability is the provision of individuals and force elements in support of operations. This is by far the Reserve s most important contribution to capability and the only one which determines force structure. Community engagement. The Army Reserve footprint covers parts of Australia where there is no other ADF presence and many Reservists not only live in the community but also work in it. Role. Although it could be argued that under the Total Force concept, the role of the Army Reserve is exactly the same as Army s, in order to provide a clear focus to the Reserve, and greater public awareness of its purpose, it is useful to delineate an explicit role. This is: The Army Reserve is to deliver specified capability to support and sustain ADF preparedness and operations. Tasks. In order to fulfil its role, the Army Reserve has four core tasks, each underpinned by several supporting tasks, and one nonaligned supporting task. These core tasks are to: Deliver specified warfighting capabilities (main effort); Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief and domestic security as part of Whole of Government approach; Page 34 The Australian Army:
Maintain and provide specialist individual capabilities; and Contribute to Army surge capabilities. Army Reserve Structures 2nd Division The 2nd Division is the largest part of the Army Reserve. It consists of a Headquarters, Signals, six Brigades and three Regional Force Surveillance Units. Brigades are paired and are tasked to provide a set output every three year, in line with the generation of capability in the Combat Brigade. The current output is shown below: The principle of habitual relationships between a Reserve Brigade pair and a Combat Brigade does not mean that the Reserve Brigades are commanded by the Combat Brigade. Instead, the three Brigade Commanders will work together to ensure the required capability is generated to a ready level of capability in both the Regular and Reserve forces. The provision of a capability output by generating it within a Reserve structure is referred to as integration of effect. An Aide Memoire Page 35
The raise, train and sustain organisation of the 2nd Division is as follows: COMMAND Brigade Headquarters Signals 4th Brigade (Victoria) Headquarters 4th Brigade 9th Brigade (South Australia & Tasmania) Headquarters 9th Brigade 5th Brigade (New South Wales) Headquarters 5th Brigade 8th Brigade (New South Wales) 11th Brigade (Queensland) Headquarters 8th Headquarters Brigade 11th Brigade 8th Signals Squadrons collocated with Brigades 13th Brigade (Western Australia) Headquarters 13th Brigade Protected Mobility Troops 4th/19th Prince of Wales Light Horse A Sqn 3rd/9th South Australian Mounted Rifles Subunit in 10/27 RSAR 1st/15th Royal 12th/16th Hunter New South River Lancers Wales Lancers B Squadron, 3rd/4th Cavalry Subunit in 9 RQR A Squadron 10th Light Horse Subunit in 16 RWAR COMBAT SUPPORT Infantry Battalions ( * ) Artillery Light Battery Engineer COMBAT The Royal Victoria 5th/6th Battalion 8th/7th Battalion 2nd/10th Light Battery Subunit in 5/6 RVR 22nd Engineer 12th/40th Battalion, The Royal Tasmania 10/27th Battalion, The Royal South Australia 6th/13th Light Battery Subunit in 10/27 RSAR 3rd Field Squadron Subunit in 10/27 RSAR The Royal New South Wales 1st/19th Battalion 4th/3rd Battalion 23rd Light Battery Subunit in 4/3 RNSWR 5th Engineer 2nd/17th Battalion 41st Battalion 7th Light Battery Subunit in 2/17 RNSWR 8th Engineer The Royal Queensland 9th Battalion 25th/49th Battalion 31st/42nd Battalion 5th/11th Light Battery Subunit in 25/49 RQR 11th Engineer The Royal Western Australia 16th Battalion 11th/28th Battalion 3rd Light Battery Subunit in 11/28 RWAR 13th Field Squadron Subunit in 16 RWAR COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT Combat Service Support Battalion 4th Combat Service Support Battalion 9th Combat Service Support Battalion 5th Combat Service Support Battalion 8th Combat Service Support Battalion 11th Combat Service Support Battalion 13th Combat Service Support Battalion TRAINING University s Melbourne University Adelaide University Sydney University University of New South Wales Queensland University Western Australia University * Some 2nd Division Infantry Battalions have non-infantry (Artillery, Engineer and Armour) subunits under their command. Regional Force Surveillance Units (Directly commanded by Headquarters 2nd Division) 51st Battalion, The Far North Queensland North-West Mobile Force The Pilbara Page 36 The Australian Army:
Outside the Second Division Outside the 2nd Division, Army employs the principle of integration of structure, where Reserve capability is either fully integrated with Regular capability inside a single unit, or Reserve and Regular capabilities exist in the same formation or Command. Additionally, Army Reserve personnel fulfil a number of individual roles in headquarters, training organisations and as specialist advisors. These levels of integration are shown in the following example: Organisation Integration level 17th Combat Support Service Brigade 1st Close Health Battalion 2nd General Health Battalion 3rd Health Support Battalion Integrated Regular and Reserve Units Reserve unit Regular & Reserve deployable health, medical & surgical personnel within deployable Health capability at battle group, task force and force level Specialist Reserve medical & surgical individuals deploying as part of integrated capability Organisation Integration level Special Operations Command 1st Commando Special Air Service Reserve Unit Regular Unit with ex- Service Reserve pool Collective Commando Capability generated from Commando Companies Pool of former Regular serving and specialist personnel available. An Aide Memoire Page 37
Training in Army Army has earned an international reputation for focussed, high quality training of skills, concepts and personal character. The training centres and individual schools are manned by experienced personnel, delivering instruction and generating a learning culture within the Army. The Army also recognises the quality of other training institutions both in Australia and overseas and supports individual attendance and ongoing professional engagement with other military schools and other tertiary institutions to improve soldiers skills and education. Leadership development. Every soldier a leader is a key concept within the Army leadership culture. Along with the immutable human nature of warfare is the immutable need for leadership of people in warfare. The qualities of leadership are developed throughout the training continuum and through the experiences of all our personnel. The development of the intellectual and moral component of Army s leaders, along with professional mastery, is key to mission success and underpins the ongoing development of modernisation and adaptive culture Army seeks to sustain. Foundation War fighting. Army remains focussed on its core duties as the foundation for professional mastery. It is the foundation skills, developed by recent experience and enhanced by new technology that will provide the basis for Army s individual training institutions. Army will continue to invest in enhancing the foundation war fighting skills in its training capabilities, including advanced simulation systems and quality training facilities. Combined Arms and Interagency Operations. Army must train as it intends to fight, and this demands the virtual and live systems training with the other services, regional and international partners and other agencies. The restructure of the Combat Brigade serves to have balanced combined arms groupings organised to train as a team and ongoing commitment to Army s major exercises such as Hamel and Talisman Sabre will enhance our interoperability and collective professional mastery in combat operations. Page 38 The Australian Army:
A Culture of Thinking and Learning. Army has actively developed a desire to think on the future, seek innovative solutions to problems and challenge the current way of business. This culture is crucial to enable the adaption cycle in operational situations, develop innovative and resourceful soldiers and remain agile in operational and strategic planning, modernisation and concept development. Army Training System The Army applies a systems approach to training based on the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) Instructional Systems Design model. As utilised in Army, this systems approach not only directly relates training needs to capability but is also linked to priorities, resources, doctrine, new hardware career development and legislation. It is continuous evaluated and improved. Army operates within the National Training System, a mechanism for establishing workplace competency standards required in industry and in government and for the awarding of nationally-recognised qualifications to individuals competent against these standards. Army Training Continuum Army employs a graduated training progression which coordinates and synchronises conduct of individual and collective training to meet a high standard of collective capability. This progression is known as the Army Training Continuum. Joint and Contractor Delivered Training Army conducts a significant amount of training through commercial arrangements and at Joint and Defence institutions. Key Joint Training institutions include the Australian Defence College and Air Force and Navy training establishments. Army Training establishments also deliver training for whole of Australian Defence Force and in some cases whole of Defence personnel. An Aide Memoire Page 39
Individual Training Centres The purpose of individual training is to prepare individuals with the skills, knowledge and attitudes to the level and standard required for them to take up their position within units and continue their progression into collective training through the Army Training continuum. It then also supports the individual the additional training necessary to progress through the rank and professional development. Army delivers training through five training formations and other training establishments. Broadly speaking the training establishments fall into three categories: induction and career development, skills and tactics and Reserve training. Induction and career development generally involving training that all Army members or whole groups of soldiers or officers will undertake, and which allows for rank and career progression. While the Royal Military College of Australia is the primary Army organisation involved in career training, other training formations, Reserve training establishments and Joint training establishments (such as the Australian Defence College) are also involved. Skills and tactics generally involving training that is common to a Corps or Employment Category and the additional training involved to progress in that trade (such as supervisory or technical managerial skills). Reserve Army Reserve personnel are trained wherever possible to the same competencies as Regular personnel, although they may not receive the same number of competencies. Training often occurs at the same institutions. The 2nd Division contains University s which provide additional specialist training for Reserves. Page 40 The Australian Army:
Army Knowledge Group The Army Knowledge Group provides enabling support to the conduct of individual training, through the analysis and coordination of lessons; development of learning products and doctrine. It contains a number of Centres: The Land Simulation Centre develops and improves foundational knowledge within a synthetic environment IOT support learning in the Operations, Force Preparation, Force Modernisation and Joint Development Domains. It operates a number of regional Battle Simulation Centres which support training and learning at major Army locations. The Centre for Army Lessons coordinates and implements Army s lessons process. Lessons processes are the method by which Army collects, analyses and promulgates the lessons learned on exercise and operations to future soldiers. The Army Learning Production Centre develops technology-based learning strategy and knowledge products in order to support Army learning. It connects Army professional development, training and soldiering together by designing, producing and distributing job-relevant technology-based learning products. The Land Doctrine Centre facilitates input from an Army wide network of subject matter experts, authors and sponsors to provide Army with current and relevant doctrine. Doctrine is the Army s body of knowledge on the nature, role and conduct of military operations, and includes a wide range of different subjects. Doctrine can cover topics from the conduct of strategic level warfare through to the tactics, techniques and procedures which are applied by the soldier to their individual tasks. Army doctrine is nested within wider Joint Australian Defence Force doctrine. The combination of competency standards and doctrine might be considered to be the curricula which all individual training delivers. An Aide Memoire Page 41
Royal Military College of Australia The Royal Military College of Australia is the formation responsible for the delivery of all common foundation individual training within the Army Training Continuum. The Royal Military College also works in conjunction with the 2nd Division for the delivery of the Army Reserve training. Training Institutions: Royal Military College Duntroon Train Officer Cadets and specialist candidates for commissioning as Officers. Army Recruit Training Centre (including 1st Recruit Training Battalion and Army Adventurous Training Wing) Train Soldiers for entry to Army. Land Warfare Centre (Including: Officer Training Wing; Warrant Officer and Non- Commissioned Officer Academy and Education Wing) Train Officers, Warrant Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers to develop capable leaders, and support Army as a learning organisation. Page 42 The Australian Army:
Combined Arms Training Centre The Combined Arms Training Centre is the Formation responsible for individual combined arms training. Headquarters Combined Arms Training Centre Puckapunyal VIC Combat Trades and Training Branch Puckapunyal VIC School of Armour School of Artillery School of Infantry School of Military Engineering Puckapunyal VIC Puckapunyal VIC Singleton NSW Moorebank (Holsworthy) NSW Training Institutions: School of Armour Deliver training in armoured and combined arms foundation Warfighting skills. School of Artillery Deliver combined arms focused, individual training specialising in surveillance and target acquisition, fire support coordination, indirect fire and air defence artillery skills School of Infantry Delivers combined arms focused, individual training in Infantry and dismounted combat skills School of Military Engineering Trains personnel in military engineering in order to meet the needs of the combat force An Aide Memoire Page 43
Army Logistics Training Centre The Army Logistic Training Centre trains, educates and develops combat service support and logistic soldiers and officers within the foundation war fighting training continuum. Headquarters Army Logistic Training Centre Wodonga VIC Development Group Wodonga VIC Army School of Logistic Operations Wodonga VIC Army School of Transport Puckapunyal VIC Army School of Ordnance Wodonga VIC Army School of Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Wodonga VIC Army School of Health Wodonga VIC Maritime Wing Ross Island QLD 121 Training RAAF Base Amberley QLD Training Institutions: Army School Provides professional development and career progression of Logistic courses for Officers, Warrant Officers and Senior and Junior Non- Operations Commissioned Officers from Army's Logistic Corps Army School Provides supply and administration training within the foundation of Ordnance Army School of Transport Army School of Health Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Warfighting continuum Provides military transport training and education within the foundation Warfighting continuum Delivers military and physical training, medical, nursing, psychology, and military self defence training for the Australian Defence Force Provides technical training to the Australian Defence Force in the form of mechanical, electrical and building trade training Page 44 The Australian Army:
Army Aviation Training Centre The Army Aviation Training Centre provides instruction of Pilot, Loadmaster, and Groundcrewmen courses as well as the training of Aircraft Technicians for employment within Army Aviation. Headquarters Army Aviation Training Centre Oakey QLD MRH-90 Training Townsville, QLD Army Helicopter School Oakey QLD Rotary Wing Aircraft Maintenance School Oakey QLD School of Army Aviation Oakey QLD Training Institutions: Army Helicopter School Rotary Wing Aircraft Maintenance School School of Army Aviation Trains helicopter pilots for the Army and flying Instructors for the Navy and Army Provides special and advanced skills training for Aeronautical Engineering Officers, Army and Australian Defence Force Aircraft Maintenance Technicians, Army Aircrew and Aircraft Support Service personnel Trains Officer, Soldiers and Sailors in the baseline essential skills of rotary wing operations, within a tactical setting, in order to prepare them for al and Operational service Under Project Air 9000 Ph 7, the Helicopter Aircrew Training System, a Joint Helicopter School based at HMAS Albatross near Nowra will train Navy Pilots, Aviation Warfare Officers and Aircrewmen as well as Army Pilots and Aircrewmen. This will result in a reduction of the training conducted at the Army Aviation Training Centre. An Aide Memoire Page 45
Defence Command Support Training Centre Defence Command Support Training Centre conducts training in the disciplines of signals, intelligence, service policing, and music. It exists to improve the synergies between Joint Signals, Electronic Warfare, Intelligence and Language training in the Australian Defence Force. Headquarters Defence Command Support Training Centre Macleod VIC Defence Intelligence Training Centre Defence Force School of Signals Defence Police Training Centre Defence Force School of Music Canungra QLD Macleod VIC Moorebank NSW Macleod VIC Electronic Warfare Wing Cabarlah QLD Maritime Wing HMAS Cerberus VIC Training Institutions: Defence Force School of Signals Train and develop Electronic Warfare and Information Communications Technology professionals Defence Intelligence Training Centre Conducts intelligence, imagery analysis and Defence Cooperationsponsored training for military and civilian members of the Australian Defence Force and the Defence Intelligence Community Defence Force School of Music Delivers professional music training that meets the needs of Australian Defence Force bands Defence Police Training Centre (Including Defence Force Correctional Establishment) Delivers Australian Defence Force service police training, a range of specialist training, and corrective training for servicepersons under arrest and under sentence. Page 46 The Australian Army:
Special Forces Training Centre and Parachute Training School Directly commanded by Special Operation Headquarters, the Special Forces Training Centre and Parachute Training School provide Special Operations recruit training, individual and small team collective and parachute training. The Parachute Training School is located in Nowra. University s University s deliver a range of training for Army Reserve personnel. Career courses include First Appointment and Rank progression courses. Each University is also responsible for the delivery of particular skills and tactics training for all Reservists. The six University s are commanded by their proximate Second Division Brigade Headquarters. They are normally located on or near the campus of their primary University, with presences at nearby training bases and satellite Universities. Part of: Universities located at (not exhaustive): Melbourne University 4th Brigade Melbourne University Monash University Adelaide University Sydney University University of New South Wales Queensland University 9th Brigade 5th Brigade 8th Brigade 11th Brigade Adelaide Tasmania (Hobart) Sydney University University of Wollongong Australian National University Regional NSW University of New South Wales University of New England University of Newcastle University of Queensland Townsville Western Australia University 13th Brigade East Fremantle An Aide Memoire Page 47
Ranks, Corps and Employment Categories Ranks Other Ranks Recruit (REC) Private (PTE) Lance Corporal (LCPL) A soldier under training who has not yet passed basic training All new soldiers start as Privates. Also titled Gunner, Trooper, Craftsman, Signalman, Patrolman, Sapper or Musician depending on Corps or Also titled Lance Bombardier (LBDR) in the Royal of Australian Artillery Corporal (CPL) Also titled Bombardier (BDR) in the Royal of Australian Artillery Sergeant (SGT) Sergeants provide leadership and advice in combat and training to soldiers and junior officers. Staff Sergeant (SSGT) This rank is currently being phased out of the Australian Army Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) WO2s act as senior adviser to the commander of a sub-unit Warrant Officer Class One WO1s are the senior advisors of their unit s Commanding Officer al Sergeant Major of the Army (RSM-A) The senior warrant officer in the Australian Army Page 48 The Australian Army:
The Australian Defence Force uses the reference E-X (Enlisted equivalent X) to describe all Other Ranks of equivalent rank across the three Services. For example, E7 refers to Sergeants (in Army and Air Force) and Petty Officers. Officer Ranks Officer Cadet (OCDT) Lieutenant (LT) Captain (CAPT) Given to those who are studying at the Australian Defence Force Academy. The rank is changed to Staff Cadet upon entry to the Royal Military College, Duntroon Junior commissioned rank. The Lieutenant rank has a primary leadership role in combat and training, at the lowest level of the unit. Captains are normally second-in-command of a sub-unit. Major (MAJ) Lieutenant Colonel (LTCOL) Colonel (COL) Brigadier (BRIG) Major General (MAJGEN) Lieutenant General (LTGEN) General (GEN) Majors are field rank officers who command a sub-unit Lieutenant Colonels typically command units Colonels are the first of the senior officer ranks and are not usually field commanders - typically they serve as staff officers at Divisional and Command level headquarters Brigadiers command at the Brigade level and are also Directors General within Army Headquarters and non-army groups Major Generals command formations of division size, or equivalent, and hold senior executive appointments within the Department of Defence The Rank of Lieutenant General is held by the Chief of Army and other Defence Force positions of equivalent seniority (such as Vice Chief of the Defence Force) The rank of General is only held when an Army Officer is appointed as the Chief of the Defence Force The Australian Defence Force also employs the reference OX (Officer equivalent X) to describe all equivalent Officer ranks across the three Services. For example, O5 refers to Lieutenant Colonels, Commanders and Wing Commanders. The terms 1-star officer (for a Brigadier), 2-star (for a Major General), 3-star (for a Lieutenant General) and 4- star (for a General) are also used. An Aide Memoire Page 49
Rank Progression. Promotion is highly competitive, requiring the fulfilment of a set of requirements and selection for promotion by career management agencies and a Commanding Officer or Selection Board. Progression requirements may include individual and collective training and completion of minimum time in rank. Corps A corps is a group of troops within an armed force with a common function. The corps of the Australian Army perform specific combat, combat support or combat service support roles that have shaped their growth, development and the generation of esprit de corps that characterises each and is a source of pride to their members. The Corps of Staff Cadets The Royal Australian Engineers The Australian Army Aviation Corps The Royal Australian Corps of Transport The Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps The Australian Army Public Relations Service The Australian Army Legal Corps The Australian Army Band Corps The Royal Australian Armoured Corps The Royal Australian Corps of Signals The Australian Intelligence Corps The Royal Australian Army Medical Corps The Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers The Australian Army Catering Corps The Royal Australian Corps of Military Police The Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps The Royal of Australian Artillery The Royal Australian Infantry Corps The Royal Australian Army Chaplains Department The Royal Australian Army Dental Corps The Royal Australian Army Educational Corps The Royal Australian Army Pay Corps The Australian Army Psychology Corps Page 50 The Australian Army:
Each corps has an appointed Head of Corps, normally held as a secondary appointment by a senior Corps member. The Head of Corps advises the Chief of Army on Corps ceremonial and capability matters. Corps are not fighting organisations, and while units often have an affiliation with a particular corps, almost all units will contain a mix of personnel from a range of different corps. Employment Categories Soldiers are employed within both Corps and Employment Categories. The Employment Category is the classification used to group and manage Army soldiers based on the major skills, functions and responsibilities they perform in their primary work role. A Corps may contain one or more Employment Category. Employment Category s relate directly to the skills held by soldiers. Each Employment Category has an authorised document (the Employment Specification) that provides a description of the employment category and associated service conditions by detailing the job, training, remuneration and trainee specifications. The Specification defines the level of skills required to be qualified in the Employment Category and that necessary to be promoted to higher ranks in the category. Soldiers are able to transfer between Employment Categories in the course of their careers, either as part of progression within their trade or through retraining into another trade. Employment Categories are sometimes referred to by their Employment Category Number (ECN). For example, an Infantry Soldier may hold the Employment Category of Rifleman (ECN 343). Officers are not employed in Employment Categories, but specialisation and streams exist within certain Corps. An Aide Memoire Page 51
Army s Disposition The Australian Army has a presence in many parts of the country, ranging from major bases in cities and regional centres, through smaller bases, Army Reserve depots and the presence of Australian Army Cadets at local halls and schools across the country. This set of locations (or disposition) is the result of a number of factors, including strategic requirements, Government direction, the location of national and international support, and the historical evolution of Army. Page 52 The Australian Army:
Functional Commands and Regional Force Surveillance Units KEY: Major Headquarters Regular Force Formation Reserve Force Formation Regional Force Surveillance unit Area of Operation 1st Brigade Darwin Regional Force Surveillance Units: 51 st Battalion, The Far North Queensland North-west Mobile Force The Pilbara Headquarters 13 th Brigade (Western Australia) Perth 1st Brigade (-) Edinburgh Headquarters 9 th Brigade (South Australia & Tasmania) Adelaide Headquarters 11th Brigade (Queensland) Townsville 3rd Brigade Townsville 7th Brigade Enoggera NORTHERN TERRITORY QUEENSLAND WESTERN AUSTRALIA SOUTH AUSTRALIA NEW SOUTH WALES VICTORIA AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY Headquarters 4 th Brigade (Victoria) Watsonia TASMANIA Army Headquarters Canberra Special Operations Headquarters Bungendore & Canberra Headquarters First Division (DJFHQ) Enoggera Headquarters 16th Aviation Brigade Enoggera Headquarters 6th Brigade (Combat Support & ISTAR) Victoria Barracks, Sydney Headquarters 17th Combat Service Support Brigade Randwick Headquarters 8 th Brigade (New South Wales) Dundas Headquarters 5 th Brigade (New South Wales) Holsworthy Headquarters Forces Command Victoria Barracks, Sydney Headquarters Second Division Randwick An Aide Memoire Page 53
Major Training Institutions and (Land) Training Ranges Page 54 The Australian Army:
Glossary The following definitions are as used in this document. While based on extant definitions, some have been amended to provide clarity of meaning or to highlight the specific intended use of the term. Air defence Armour Artillery Battlegroup Close (support) Combat service support Combat support Combat team Measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action. Generic term for the weapons systems that combine firepower, mobility and protection, and the military organisations that employ such systems. Generic term for capability containing one or more of three components: offensive support, surveillance and target acquisition and Ground Based Air Defence. A combined arms grouping based on the headquarters of an armoured cavalry or infantry unit. In combat and combat support, the delivery of an effect on a target or objective that is near to the supported elements of the combined arms team, regardless of the location of the actual weapon system providing the support See Also Lines of Support. Force elements providing sustainment, movement, distribution, health services, personnel services and equipment maintenance activities. Force elements providing offensive support and operational assistance to combat elements. A combined-arms grouping based upon a combat sub-unit headquarters. An Aide Memoire Page 55
Combat Command support Direct (fire support) Engineers Indirect (fire support) Infantry Joint (inter-agency) task force Lines of support Manoeuvre Mobility Force elements designed to engage the enemy with direct fire weapons. Force elements which enable commanders to execute their command responsibilities, exercise control and provide specialist advice. That support provided from weapon systems with line of sight to the target See Also Indirect (fire support). Capability providing geospatial, combat and force support engineering capabilities to enable joint manoeuvre and survivability. That support provided from weapon systems without a direct line of sight to the target See Also Direct (fire support). Capability for close combat and seizing and holding ground. It is usually employed in a combined arms team but can also act independently in complex terrain where technological advantages are degraded. A combined arms grouping incorporating all elements of national power in an integrated framework, tailored and scaled to the requirements of a specific mission. First-line support pertains to resources and activities under the control of the unit commander for the provision of combat support to the unit. Second-line support pertains to resources and activities under the control of a brigade commander for the provision of support to units organic to the brigade. Third-line support comprises support provided to a force by elements not organic to combat formations. Fourth-line support is provided by logistic or administrative organisations outside the theatre of operations. Employment of forces on the battlefield through movement in combination with fire or fire potential to achieve a position of advantage in respect to the enemy in order to accomplish the mission. A quality or capability of military forces which permits them to move from place to place while retaining the ability to fulfil their primary mission. Page 56 The Australian Army:
Offensive support Reconnaissance Signals Surveillance Offensive measures taken to support a commander in pursuing this mission, and may be organic to the Service of the supported unit or be provided by another Service, and includes naval surface fire support, fire support from any ground-based weapons system other than small arms, and offensive air support, including air reconnaissance and maritime strike. A mission undertaken to obtain, by visual observation or other detection methods, information about the activities and resources of an enemy or potential enemy, or to secure data concerning meteorological, hydrographic, or geographic characteristics of a particular area. As applied to organisations or generic capabilities, the combination of technical systems and capabilities employed to: a. extend the range over which a commander and staff can exercise command and control; b. disrupt enemy command and control; and c. sustain and maintain command and control functions The systematic observation of aerospace, surface or subsurface areas, places, persons, or things, by visual, aural, electronic, photographic or other means. An Aide Memoire Page 57
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