Job Details

Australian Defence Force Academy, Royal Military College Duntroon

The Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) is a combat arm with a range of capabilities that can be employed by the Army. RAAC units are able to participate in a range of operations including direct attack, reconnaissance and armoured mobility to infantry. Units of the RAAC are equipped with the Abrams Main Battle Tank (MBT) family of vehicles or the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) and Bushmaster (PMV) family of vehicles.

Officers who graduate to the RAAC undertake six months Corps focused training at the School of Armour, Puckapunyal which includes learning to operate armoured vehicles. On completion of this training RAAC officers are then posted to troop command positions across the various units of the Corps.

A typical RAAC officer demonstrates a high standard of leadership and command ability, has a thorough knowledge of tactics, and ability to quickly analyse complex and changing situations.

The RAAC requires its officers to command and lead soldiers who operate high-tech weapon systems with skill and speed. Officers are skilled at conducting independent operations for protracted periods in remote areas and under harsh conditions. RAAC officers must be able to work closely with soldiers as part of an armoured fighting vehicle crew which presents unique challenges.

Officer (Reserve)

Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) is a combat arm with a range of capabilities that can be employed by the Army. RAAC units are able to participate in a range of operations including direct attack, reconnaissance and armoured mobility to infantry. Army Reserve units of the RAAC are equipped with the Light Cavalry Patrol Vehicle (LCPV), Interim Infantry Mobility Vehicle (IIMV) and Bushmaster (PMV) family of vehicles.

The RAAC is by the nature of its equipment, a technically oriented Corps. Active Reserve Officers who graduate to the RAAC and are posted to Reserve units, undertake training in three modules. Modules one and two comprise fifteen and ten days of non-continuous unit training in the assigned unit. Module three is of sixteen days continuous duration at the School of Armour, Puckapunyal. Qualification is gained by the final phase of a combination of continuous and non-continuous training of fifteen days.

All RAAC Active Reserve Officers demonstrate high standards of leadership and command ability, a thorough knowledge of tactics, an ability to quickly analyse complex and changing situations, and a detailed knowledge of Light Cavalry units and their operations. The RAAC requires its Army Reserve Officers to provide leadership and control while conducting operations independently for protracted periods in remote areas and under harsh conditions. RAAC Active Reserve Officers must be capable of becoming part of a Light Cavalry Troop and be able to inspire and lead the high calibre soldiers that comprise these troops.

The main types of Armoured Corps units are:

The Tank Regiment - The Tank Regiment operates the Abrams main battle tank. The Regiment's manning and equipment make it suitable for a variety of employments. The role of the tank, in coordination with other arms, is to close with and destroy the enemy using fire, manoeuvre and shock action.

The Cavalry Regiments - The Cavalry Regiments operate the ASLAV and Bushmaster (IMV) family of vehicles. A Cavalry unit's manning and equipment enable it to conduct a variety of tasks. The role of cavalry is to locate, dislocate, and disrupt the enemy through the conduct of offensive, defensive and security actions.

The Light Cavalry Regiments – The Light Cavalry Regiments/Units are Army Reserve units that can operate either in a mounted or dismounted role. The units are equipped with either the Light Cavalry Patrol Vehicle (LCPV) and the Interim Infantry Mobility Vehicle (IIMV) or the Bushmaster (PMV). Light cavalry conducts stability and enabling activities and augments cavalry regiments. Light cavalry tactics comprise security, stability and enabling activities including the operations of protection, counter-insurgency, evacuation and strategic response options and RFSU operations.