Entry

Other Ranks (Technical)

General Entry (Technical Trainee) is the term used to describe the large number of technical jobs available to people entering the Army as soldiers (non-officer entry) and for which trade training is provided.

General Entry (Technical Trainee) soldiers graduate from recruit training with the rank of craftsman and generally progress to craftsman proficient after 12 months of productive service following completion of trade training.

Promotion is awarded on merit and successful completion of promotion courses. The career path within the technician or tradesperson continuum is:

• Craftsman;
• Lance Corporal;
• Corporal;
• Sergeant;
• Warrant Officer Class Two; and
• Warrant Officer Class One.

Corporals are referred to as Non-Commissioned Officers, or NCOs, while sergeants and warrant officers are called Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs). Warrant Officer Class One is the most senior soldier rank. A corporal will normally have some responsibility for the supervision of junior staff and this progressively increases on promotion to sergeant. A warrant officer normally has a substantial personnel management role.

After six years you'll not only have Army trade proficiency but also excellent long-term employment prospects. Your trade training is fully accredited with exportability of that trade qualification into the civil community providing a broader scope for your future employment.

Because you'll learn to be a soldier as well as a qualified technician or trades person, you'll also develop and improve your personal attributes including self-discipline, fitness, self-confidence and leadership skills.

The first thing you should decide is the type of trade training you want. Within the Aeroskills trades there is a choice of Aircraft Structures, Avionics, Aircraft or Aircraft Life Support courses.