Military Training

Other Ranks (Non Technical) (Reserve)

Reserve Entry Recruit Course (RERC)

All Reserve Entry Recruits attend the Navy Recruit School, at HMAS CERBERUS in Victoria where they undertake the Reserve Entry Recruit Course.

The course consists of two separate Phases of in-house training: i.e. 1 x 3 week training block followed by a further 2 weeks undertaken at a later stage. The combining of the 2 phases into one continuous 5 Week block of training is also possible however guidelines exist – Please see below for these.

During Phase 1 of training, Reserve Entry Recruits will team up with their full time colleagues and undertake the first 3 weeks of enlistment. Lessons in Basic Naval Knowledge, Swimming, Physical Fitness and Parade Training will be covered. At the end of the 3rd week (19 days after enlistment), students will travel home having completed Phase 1 of their training. Reserve Entry Recruits will then be later required to return to HMAS CERBERUS to complete their 2nd and final Phase of training at a time that suits both the Recruit School’s program and themselves.

Phase 2 consists of a further 2 weeks (13 days) of in-house training at HMAS Cerberus where students are taught First Aid, Combat Survival and Survival at Sea skills. On the successful completion of Phase 2, students will graduate from the Reserve Entry Recruit Course and travel home. Depending on their chosen field, further category specific training or Qualified Reserve Employment can then be pursued.

If class sizes and the Recruit School Training Program allows, Reserve Applicants may request to conduct their 2 Phases of training in one continuous 5 week block of instruction. This method will require students to change classes at the end of their 3rd week to allow the ‘Phase 2’ proficiencies to be obtained. If this method is desired, applicants are required to first check with their Defence Force Recruiting Centre to ensure that a ‘5 Week Continuous Training program’ is available.

On completion of all phases, recruits are promoted to probationary LSNPC, which allows the member to progress to category/employment training.