Military Training
Officer
Initial Officer Course - 17 Weeks
Immediately upon joining the Air Force, direct entry officers will normally undertake the Initial Officer Course of 17 weeks duration. This is a live-in course completed at RAAF Base East Sale, located 220 kilometres east of Melbourne (VIC).
The major elements of the course involve introduction to military life, Air Force Values and attitudes, Ground Defence and Weapons training, Leadership and Personal Development, Communication Skills and Air Force Operations studies.
Further details on officer training are available on the Officers Training School website or refer to the Joining Instructions. The information on the website and in the Joining Instructions will provide you and your family with enough information to arrange your personal affairs before appointment in the Air Force and give you an overview of the structure and requirements of the Initial Officer Course.
During Military (Initial Officer) Training and (Initial) Employment Training (if applicable), members may be required to pay a contribution towards meals, accommodation and utilities.
Officer (Reserve)
Applicants entering the Air Force Active Reserve through the officer stream are required to complete the Initial Officer Course (IOC). You may complete the full-time, residential IOC of 17 weeks, the same as your Permanent Air Force colleagues or the modularised IOC (Air Force AR) training which must be completed within a two year period.
Currently all five phases of the IOC (Air Force AR) require residential attendance at the Officers Training School (OTS), East Sale, Victoria. The phases and their duration are as follows:
- Phase 1 - Induction/Orientation phase (6 weeks);
- Phase 2 - Academic Consolidation Phase (3 weeks);
- Phase 3 - Leadership Preparatory and Ground Defence Preparatory Phase (3 weeks);
- Phase 4 - Ground Defence Assessment Phase (2 weeks); and
- Phase 5 - Leadership Assessment Phase (2 weeks).
The aim of the IOC is to develop in newly commissioned Air Force and Air Force AR officers and officer cadets the core military skills, knowledge and attitudes required for effective performance as junior officers.