Location of training: Australian Defence Force Academy

Duration of training: 156 Weeks

The academic and military training at the Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra ACT, takes three years to complete. On graduation, you will attend the Royal Military College, (RMC) Duntroon, for a 12-month military course.

Location of training: Royal Military College

Duration of training: 12 Months

RMC training for ADFA cadets consists of two terms each of approximately 6 months duration. The first term for ADFA cadets at RMC is referred to as "Second Class" and their final term is known as "First Class". ADFA cadets are not required to complete a preceding 6 months of RMC training referred to as "Third Class" because of the academic and military training completed at ADFA.

This is how your military training at RMC will unfold:

Second Class: By the end of Second Class you will have grasped command and leadership skills at section and platoon levels. You will have received further instruction in battle tactics, military history, administration, training, science and technology and communication skills. You will also have the opportunity to apply this knowledge and experience in the field and practise at section command level, expanding to platoon level towards the end of Second Class.

First Class: Now cadets will be ready to take their knowledge into the field and put into practice their tactics and leadership skills at section, platoon and company level. Strategic studies, management training, military history and leadership are also further developed.

After graduation you will be assigned to one of the Army's specialised branches, known as Corps. Then you can put into professional practice all that you've learned. Initially you will be required to complete several weeks of in-service Corps training and familiarisation. Then you may find yourself taking troops through field exercises, physical training drills, tactical assaults or managing any number of vital Army functions.

During Military (ADFA and RMC) Training and (Initial) Employment Training (Regimental Officers Basic Course etc), members may be required to pay a contribution towards meals, accommodation and utilities. 

Location of course: Royal Military College, Duntroon Canberra, ACT

Duration of course: 18 months

Your training at RMC is made up of three terms each of approximately 6 months duration. Cadets in their first term are referred to as "Third Class", second term cadets as "Second Class" and third term cadets as "First Class". RMC cadets are organised as a Battalion known as the Corps of Staff Cadets.

This is how your military training at RMC will unfold:

Third Class: In this first term you will be given a basic grounding in battle craft, infantry minor tactics, navigation, first aid, weapon training, character development, communication skills, military history and leadership. At RMC, the Third Class training is conducted on the basis that you have no prior military knowledge or experience.

Second Class: By the end of Second Class you will have grasped command and leadership skills at section and platoon levels. You will have received further instruction in battle tactics, military history, administration, training, science and technology and communication skills. You will also have the opportunity to apply this knowledge and experience in the field and practise at section command level, expanding to platoon level towards the end of Second Class.

First Class: Now cadets will be ready to take their knowledge into the field and put into practice their tactics and leadership skills at section, platoon and company level. Strategic studies, management training, military history and leadership are also further developed.

After graduation you will be assigned to one of the Army's specialised branches, known as Corps. Then you can put into professional practice all that you've learned. Initially you will be required to complete in-service Corps training and familiarisation. Then you may find yourself taking troops through field exercises, physical training drills, tactical assaults or managing any number of vital Army functions.

Graduates are commissioned as Lieutenants.

During RMC (Military Training) and (Initial) Employment Training (Regimental Officers Basic Course etc), members may be required to pay a contribution towards meals, accommodation and utilities.

Further information is also available at the Royal Military College website.

ARMY RESERVE GENERAL SERVICE OFFICER - FIRST APPOINTMENT COURSE
(ARes GSO FAC):

The ARes GSO FAC focuses on instilling Army’s values (Courage, Initiative and Teamwork) in a similar fashion to soldier basic training and then providing junior officer candidates with the leadership, management, operational skills and knowledge required of a junior officer to command a platoon.

During training, candidates will learn and be assessed on weapons, fieldcraft, leadership, tactics, administration and management and lots more.

Location and Duration of Training:

Training is conducted through a combination of non-continuous training (parade nights and weekends) with local Army Reserve University Regiments and residential continuous training (Training Blocks 1 to 5) at centres of expertise throughout Australia, culminating with completion of the last training block at the Royal Military College Duntroon.

The ARes GSO FAC is modularised to allow candidates the flexibility to complete the training around civilian employment commitments. Training Block 1 is conducted continuously throughout the year at the Army Recruit Training Centre, Kapooka. Training Blocks 2 to 5 are conducted twice annually in a sequence. Ideally, most candidates will complete the course within 18 months – 2 years and are expected to complete the ARes GSO FAC within a maximum of 3 years. It is possible for a candidate to complete the ARes GSO FAC within a minimum of 9 - 14 months; however, these are usually in-Service candidates who been given recognition of prior learning.

The ARes GSO FAC has five (5) training blocks totalling 104 days residential training:

Training Block 1 - Military Foundation Skills – 28 days duration delivered at the Army Recruit Training Centre, Kapooka (Wagga Wagga, NSW) is actually the Reserve Recruit Training Course. Qualified soldiers who are selected to be officers may be granted recognition of this training and commence the ARes GSO FAC at Training Block 2. Likewise any officer candidate who does not wish to continue officer training is able to become a soldier on completion of this training block. This training block is 28 days long and is usually undertaken in January and July. It is also available at other times of the year, if required.

Training Block 2 - Small Military Team Leader Theory – is 16 days duration and is conducted in April and October by Adelaide University Regiment or Western Australian University Regiment in either South or West Australia. This training block builds on the skills introduced at Recruit Training and introduces new operational, weapons and navigation skills.

Training Block 3 - Small Military Team Leader - 16 days duration conducted in January and June by University of New South Wales Regiment at RMC Duntroon in Canberra. This training block introduces command, leadership and management skills in addition to military administration. This training block is also your first step along the way to learning the leadership and management skills that you will need to successfully command soldiers in the Australian Army.

Training Block 4 - Command, Leadership and Management – 16 days duration conducted in April and October by Melbourne University Regiment in Puckapunyal, Victoria. This training block revises and tests much of what you will already have learn't about small team level operations as well as building further on your administrative capabilities as a small team leader. This training block also gives qualifications in the conduct of military live fire weapons range practices; and

Training Block 5 - All Corps Army Reserve Platoon Commander – 28 days duration conducted in February and July - August by External Training Wing RMC Duntroon and Sydney University Regiment in Canberra. This training block confirms you have all attributes, skills and values to become an officer in the Australian Army. It also confirms that you have the leadership, management, operational skills and knowledge required of a junior officer to command a platoon on likely Army Reserve operations. On the successful completion of Training Block 5 you will be commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Australian Army Reserve.

Training in Your Unit

In between doing the residential training blocks you will be expected to attend parade nights and weekends organised by your parent Army Reserve University Regiment. Your unit will look after all your administration for attending the ARes GSO FAC training blocks. The training staff will help you prepare for the residential training blocks, revise the skills you learn as well as provide instruction and assessment on military skills like fieldcraft, drill, training, military justice and writing and oral communication. There are also some additional requirements for training which can be obtained through external organisations. These requirements will be explained to you by unit training staff.