The Operator Petroleum soldier is a member of the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps (RAAOC) which is one of the largest logistic organisations in Australia when compared to civilian companies. It is responsible for a very large range of tasks not only supporting the Army but also the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force.

The RAAOC is concerned with the provision of logistic support to the Army, specifically with providing, managing, warehousing and issuing all the Army's equipment. RAAOC is also responsible for such things as the demolition and disposal of explosives, salvage of battle-damaged equipment, re-packing of parachutes and many other support services.

The Operator Petroleum is a specialist soldier who performs a wide range of technical functions primarily dealing with refuelling facilities including vehicle and aircraft fuel installations in the field. These functions include the operation of field and static POL equipment, the laboratory testing and analysis of POL products and the storage, packaging and disposal of Dangerous Goods (DG), including hazardous materials, but excluding ammunition and explosives.

An Operator Petroleum is critical to Army operations. All Army operations rely on fuel to support their mobility either on the ground or in the air and as such, the Operator Petroleum is vital in ensuring success for the Army.

An Operator Petroleum is usually employed in a small group environment. Often a number of these small groups are merged into larger petroleum organisations. The basic ethos however, is small group operations requiring all operator's to be able to work in isolated environments and be capable of acting on their own initiative. The Operator Petroleum organisations often work closely with the Army's helicopter units providing a high amount of travel opportunities both in Australia and overseas.

Primary Duties/Employment in First Three Years

The duties listed below are those that could be expected to be performed in the first three years of service before promotion to Corporal.

• Assist in the management of a fuel facility;
• Refuel aircraft and vehicles;
• Operate vehicles including on and off pavement forklifts and fuel trucks;
• Assist in the laboratory testing of fuel; and
• Account for fuel as a supply item.

Note that not all duties are performed in each position.

Key Features of the Trade

• A member of a specialised small trade that develops its people as individuals;
• Significant opportunity to travel overseas as all Army deployments and most exercises require Operator Petroleum personnel to operate and manage fuel supply;
• There is significant employment diversity in the trade ranging from supporting aviation (helicopter) units to supporting a Brigade in the field;
• All Warrant Officer Class Two must attend a six month petroleum course in the USA before they can be promoted to Warrant Officer Class One;
• There is little waiting time for trade training as courses are conducted throughout the year; and
• Although non-technical in nature, this trade allows members to achieve higher pay levels than normal for other non-technical trades.