Artillery - ADF Gap Year
During an Artillery Gap Year, you’ll be part of the team that sets up, aims and fires some of the Army’s most powerful weapons in a role full of camaraderie and ongoing opportunities.
From the moment you start your experience, you’ll be trained as part of a highly skilled team to handle any situation. You’ll challenge yourself and learn to operate effectively in a range of different environments as you contribute to the protection of Australia.
What you'll do
Once you complete your Initial Military Training, you’ll grow your skills and expertise in one of the following roles:
- Artillery Observer – be the eyes and the ears of the battlefield where you’ll use high-tech equipment to locate enemy targets and gather battlespace intelligence
- Artillery Operator – this is a hands-on, physically active combat role where you’ll harness your agility and ability to work quickly and be part of the team that sets up, aims and fires one of the Army’s most powerful weapons
- Artillery Systems Operator – use advanced surveillance equipment to understand the battlefield, identify targets and produce and communicate firing solutions for artillery and other available firepower
- Air Defence Operator – use sophisticated radar systems to identify and analyse potential threats, then employ surface-to-air missile systems to destroy them in this team-oriented combat role.
Your duties may include:
- physical training
- weapon handling and shooting
- first aid
- drill
- field craft.
After finishing your Gap Year program, you can choose to continue your full-time career in the Army or change to a part-time role in the Army Reserve.
There is no obligation to serve in the ADF beyond the 12-month Gap Year program period. You can take your new skills and experiences to gain an edge in future careers outside the ADF.
Following training, you could be employed within Army units across Australia, with the primary locations including:
- Adelaide, SA
- Brisbane, Qld
- Darwin, NT
- Townsville, Qld.
Discover where the Army operates across Australia on our base locations map.
Requirements and training
You need to be an Australian citizen to be eligible for the ADF Gap Year program.
You must be aged between 17 and 24 years of age at the time of your enlistment or appointment. For Army, you must be 18 years of age by the completion of your Initial Employment Training.
You don’t need a driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
Completion of Year 10 (or equivalent) education required with passes in English and Maths. If you haven't completed Year 10 but are interested in joining, the ADF may be able to support your application.
To join the ADF, you must be healthy and physically fit. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment.
Female
- Sit-ups (feet held): 45
- Push-ups: 8
- Shuttle Run Score: 7.5.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 45
- Push-ups: 15
- Shuttle Run Score: 7.5.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
Your Gap Year experience will commence at the start of the year and will conclude 12 months later. Subsequent periods of service in the Regular or Reserve ADF may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You may request discharge at any time by providing 21 days’ notice.
If you are currently or have previously served in the ADF or foreign service, you’re not eligible for Gap Year. You must be an Australian Citizen to be eligible for the Gap Year Program.
Course: Army Recruit Course
Duration: 13 weeks
Location: Kapooka, Wagga Wagga, NSW
During training, you'll take part in physical training, weapon handling and shooting, first aid, drill and field craft. You'll be challenged both mentally and physically.
Although it can be demanding, most recruits gain a sense of achievement, purpose and confidence during basic training, and on completion of the course feel justifiably proud of what they have achieved. The priority of our instructors is to help you succeed.
Course: Basic Combat Communications Course
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: School of Artillery, Puckapunyal, Vic
You’ll learn to set up, operate and maintain communications equipment and radios including basic high frequency combat and digital communication equipment.
Course: Royal Australian Artillery Common Induction Training
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: School of Artillery, Puckapunyal, Vic
You’ll learn how to use small arms weapons systems, pyrotechnics and other combative equipment and techniques.
The next stage of your training will commence when you are allocated to a specialisation. You’ll then complete one of 5 listed specialist courses to complete your artillery training.
Specialisation: Artillery Observer
Course: Forward Observer Course
Duration: 5 weeks
Location: School of Artillery, Puckapunyal, Vic
You’ll learn to operate in a small team, to find targets, and then destroy them by calling in fire support assets. You will also learn to use advanced sensors systems and advanced communication systems.
Specialisation: Artillery Operator
Course: Gunner Grade 1 Course
Duration: 6 weeks
Location: School of Artillery, Puckapunyal, Vic
You’ll learn to operate the M777 155mm Howitzer weapon platform and sub-systems to fire in support of Australian Soldiers.
Specialisation: Artillery Command Systems Operator
Course: Artillery Command Systems Operator Basic Course
Duration: 8 weeks
Location: School of Artillery, Puckapunyal, Vic
You’ll learn to set up, operate and maintain communications equipment, Battle Management Systems and sub systems that enables firepower to be employed against targets.
Specialisation: Air Defence Operator
Course: Operator Ground Based Air Defence Course
Duration: 7 weeks
Location: School of Artillery, Puckapunyal, Vic
You’ll learn to operate encrypted systems to receive a radar picture, identify hostile aircraft and operate the RBS70 surface-to-air-missile launcher.
Course: Operator Sense Warn and Locate Course
Duration: 7 weeks
Location: School of Artillery, Puckapunyal, Vic
You’ll learn to identify rockets, artillery and mortars using radar systems. This includes qualification in the Giraffe Agile Multi Beam (GAMB) Radar, Lightweight Multi Mission Radar (LMMR), network routers (C-NET) and wireless warning systems (WAVES).
Once you’ve completed specialised training, you’ll be assigned to an Army unit and your career as a soldier will begin.