The Parachute Rigger 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 the demolition and disposal of explosives, salvage of battle-damaged equipment, re-packing of parachutes and many other support services.

The Rigger is a specialist soldier who performs a wide range of technical functions on parachutes and Aerial Delivery Equipment. These functions include inspection, repack, repair, modification, malfunction analysis, sentencing, procurement and fleet management of parachutes and Aerial Delivery Equipment. All Riggers are required to be qualified as current static line paratroopers and on achieving the rank of Corporal are required to be qualified free-fall paratroopers. In many instances, Riggers have diversified their employment further by becoming Parachute Jump Instructors in the specialities of static line and free-fall.

Riggers are critical to all Army parachute operations. Every parachute packed, repaired and maintained by a Parachute Rigger can effect the safety of others directly in the personnel packing role or indirectly in the cargo packing role. Failure to observe the correct technical and safety procedures for maintaining parachutes and Aerial Delivery Equipment may result in significant loss of life, aircraft, supplies or other expensive equipment or resources. As a means of quality control, Riggers are required to regularly jump parachutes that they have packed themselves. This is echoed in the Rigger motto, "Be Sure Always."

A Rigger is usually employed in a small group environment, often working closely with the Army's parachute forces including the parachute infantry battalion and Special Forces (Special Air Service and Commando). This provides Riggers travel opportunities both in Australia and overseas. Parachute Rigger is one of the few Army trades that performs the same role and duties in peace and in war.

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:

• Prepare Aerial Delivery Equipment for maintenance;
• Pack parachutes;
• Repair parachutes;
• Maintain mechanical devices;
• Supply Aerial Delivery Equipment;
• Manufacture components of Aerial Delivery Equipment; and
• Maintain Aerial Delivery Equipment in a detached parachute maintenance unit.

Key Features of the Trade

• A member of a specialised small trade that develops its people as individuals;
• The requirement to regularly jump to maintain the parachute jump qualification and the potential to become an Army qualified Parachute Jump Instructor; and
• A key benefit of becoming a Rigger is that there is little waiting time for trade training. This means that a potential Rigger can achieve full trade pay much faster than some other trades with long waiting lists.