Role. The role of the RACT is to control and operate Army owned surface transport, other than unit transport, and to provide movement control, terminal, postal and Army aspects of air logistic support to the Army.

The Royal Australian Corps of Transport (RACT) plays a pivotal role within the distribution network of the Australian Army. The men and women of the RACT plan and deliver the required Combat Service Support (CSS) through the distribution process utilising road, sea and air assets.

The RACT has many tasks to perform including operating the Army fleet of landing craft and amphibious vehicles, all forms of road transport, cargo terminals and specialist units that prepare, pack and dispatch supplies dropped from the air. To perform these tasks the RACT is equipped with a large selection of vehicles including motorcycles, Land Rovers, light trucks, heavy cargo and specialist vehicles (Mack MC3 and Mack Fleet Liner MC2), 60 tonne semi-trailers, amphibious and small landing craft.

A driver (DVR) is a soldier who operates and manages Army vehicles in combat, combat support and combat service support roles, by day and by night, on all forms of roads (including off road) as required, carrying a variety of loads including cargo, personnel and dangerous goods (DG). A DVR is required to load, drive and maintain a vehicle and its associated equipment with a payload up to and including 12 tonnes (20 tonnes with trailer). The driver may be employed to drive a variety of specialist vehicles including Truck Tanker Water and Truck Tanker Fuel.

Main Job Functions

An ECN 109 DVR can operate a range of vehicles from Motorcycle to Heavy Rigid Class on all forms of roads and off-road as required. Additionally, an ECN 109 DVR can tow a single trailer (other than a semi-trailer) up to 20 tonnes.

The main job functions for an ECN 109 DVR are as follows:

• drive loaded and unloaded vehicles under all conditions, by day and by night, on formed roads and cross country;
• camouflage a vehicle;
• operate Material Handling Equipment, as necessary;
• operate all ancillary equipment fitted to a vehicle ie. vehicle mounted crane;
• supervise and assist with the loading and unloading of vehicles;
• conduct non-technical inspections and operator servicing of a vehicle and or assist tradesmen with the repair of that vehicle when required;
• recover ditched and damaged vehicles using vehicle recovery equipment;
• operate radio/communications equipment if fitted to a vehicle;
• perform the function of Assistant Driving Instructor after a qualifying period of 12 months;
• transport Dangerous Goods and Commonwealth Explosives in accordance with Defence and civilian regulations and legislation;
• maintain transport documentation;
• convey VIPs up to Brigadier or equivalent rank;
• navigate in built up areas and in the field using civil maps, military maps and / or route cards;
• operate a military vehicle on public roads in accordance with both military and civilian legislation; and
• operate in an environment of threat.