Military Training

Officer, Graduate

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.

Australian Defence Force Academy

Upon joining the Academy, cadets undertake six weeks of military training to prepare them for Service life. They are normally required to complete this six-week period before any resignations will be accepted. On completion of this period the annual Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Parade is held prior to the commencement of the Academic year.

During the academic year, six hours per week are allocated to military training. This consists of Academy Military Education and Training (AMET) for all three Services as well as Single Service Training (SST). SST blocks are held at the beginning and end of the year. The SST program is intended to provide cadets with equivalent skills to the Initial Officers Course.

Subjects covered during AMET include studies in defence, psychology and leadership, drug and alcohol awareness, military law, physical and recreational training, military drill and ceremonial training, weapons training, field training, character development, English and military communications, and study skills.

Breaks during the year provide scope for academic field trips, military tours, excursions and adventurous training (including five weeks at Officers’ Training School, East Sale, Victoria in Year 2 at the Academy). Military training is also provided in Defence Studies, which include Current Affairs, Military History, Physical and Recreational Training. You will also take your place in Drill and Ceremonial Parades.

During Military (ADFA) Training and (Initial) Employment Training, 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.