As a member of a highly skilled Infantry combat team, you will be a specialist in patrolling, cordon and search, surveillance, and infantry tactics. Your team will depend on you, as you will on them, and your role will be critical to mission success. This is a highly sort-after role and is best suited to people who have high standards of mental and physical toughness.
Job Details
Infantry is the primary combat arm of the Australian Army. The role of the Infantry is to seek out and close with the enemy, to kill or capture him, to seize and hold ground, repel attack, by day or by night, regardless of season weather or terrain. To carry out this role the Royal Australian Infantry Corps (RAInf) relies heavily on skilled tactics, effective teamwork and cooperation with other corps.
Infantry soldiers are equipped with either the F88 AUSTEYR Individual Weapon, a robust rifle that can be fitted with the Grenade Launcher assembly (GLA) and a range of advanced sighting systems. The Infantry soldier is also equipped with the F89 Light Support Weapon, the M18A1 Claymore - anti personnel weapon, the 66mm Light Direct Fire Support Weapon ((LDFSW), Grenades and Night Fighting Equipment. Specialists within the Infantry will utilise heavy weapons such as mortars, anti-armour weapons and Mag 58 General Support Machine Guns.
The RAInf Corps includes specialists, Mechanised (M113), Motorised (PMV-Bushmaster) and Parachute battalions. Special Forces and the Regional Force Surveillance Units are also part of the RAInf Corps.
A Rifleman is a skilled soldier who fights the enemy at close quarters in all phases of warfare using a variety of weapons. Apart from being employed as a Rifleman, Infantry soldiers who hold the rank of Private can be employed as a Scout, Machine-Gunner or Combat Communicator in a rifle company. If selected for further training they can also be employed as an Assault Pioneer, Mortarman, Signaller, Infantry Operations Clerk, Infantry Resource Storeman, Sniper, Direct Fire Support Weapon Crew Member, Reconnaissance Patrolman or Surveillance Operator in either Support or Administrative Companies. Depending on the role of the unit they may also be trained as parachutists and armoured vehicle crews.
Piper, Drummer and Bugler is only available at 2RAR (Townsville), 3RAR (Sydney) and 5 and 7RAR (Darwin) for ARA Rifleman - there are more positions available for Reserve Rifleman. The Piper, Drummer, and Bugler employment category group within the RAInf is due to be disestablished at the end of 2009.
Main Job Functions: Rifllemen are employed to locate the enemy and develop an intelligence picture through patrolling and surveillance. He is also employed to provide security for other units and agencies through the same means. Once the enemy is located, and usually after air, artillery or naval bombardment, the Rifleman fights the enemy at close quarters with rifle, machine gun, grenades, anti-armour weapons and bayonet by day and night, regardless of season, weather or terrain. He is also employed to seize or hold ground from the enemy.
While the Rifleman is supported in operations by other elements of the Defence Force; infantry units are capable of independent action for limited periods of time. The Rifleman is responsible for his security and the maintenance of his fighting capability at all times.
