Infantry Officer
As a part-time Infantry Officer, you’ll fulfil an incredibly demanding role that requires high standards of mental and physical resilience and will lead a highly trained team of soldiers. In a career like no other, you’ll develop strong tactical acumen to plan and execute tasks in any environment across the full spectrum of conflict. Infantry is the largest combat element of the Army and is responsible for tasks ranging from the application of lethal force in close combat to providing stability during peacekeeping operations.
This meaningful role is part of the Army Officer – Command career pathway, where you’ll learn the fundamentals of being a leader to a team of soldiers, including mentorship, influence, problem solving, decision making and much more. No leadership experience is required, and you’ll be allocated to your specific role before you graduate from training.
What you'll do
You’ll likely command a rifle platoon in an Army Reserve Infantry Battalion. You’ll train in both conventional infantry tactics and as part of a Combat Team working closely with soldiers from other Army roles, like Artillery and Armoured.
Your duties may include:
- close combat and application of lethal and non-lethal force
- offensive and defensive operations
- locating enemy forces by gathering information through patrol and surveillance
- seizing and holding ground from enemy forces
- providing security for Army units and vital assets
- humanitarian assistance missions
- international training, advise and assist missions.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career as an officer. As you progress, the Army will provide you with leadership, management, and specialist skills training to develop your ability to effectively manage your teams. You’ll also be provided with training opportunities to further develop your role-related expertise. This world-class training will strengthen your skillset and enable you to become an influential leader in the Army.
As an officer in the Army, you may also undertake postings outside of your specialisation during your career. These include instructor or training positions and staff officer positions. This experience helps you broaden your skill set and prepare for more senior roles.
The Army Reserve has units located all across Australia and offers you the flexibility to serve where you live. There are training locations in cities, small towns and regional areas. Even if there isn’t a unit close to you there may be other ways to serve. You’ll have a Careers Coach who you can ask about your options.
The principles we are taught are transferrable and adaptable for everyday life.
Requirements and training
You must be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF. However, Australian permanent residents may be eligible. For more details, visit the "Citizenship" tab on the Eligibility Requirements page.
You can apply for a role in the ADF from 16.5 years of age and must be at least 17 to join. For Reserve service, the maximum age to apply is 60 years, with a Compulsory Retirement Age (CRA) of 65. Candidates who wish to enlist into the Reserves beyond the age of 61 years will need further assessment to ensure they can complete all pre-requisite training in their chosen field prior to reaching CRA.
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.
You’ll need to have either completed Year 12 with passes in English and 3 other board accredited academic subjects or be in your final year and on track to pass them all.
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.
There is no minimum number of years required in the ADF Reserve as service is voluntary. You can volunteer until the Defence Reserve retirement age of 65, subject to the requirements and your suitability for further service.
Reserve service is flexible and can fit around your family, life and work responsibilities. In your first year, you can choose to serve between a minimum of 20 and up to 150 days, which includes Initial Employment and Military Training. After that, you can choose to serve 20 to 150 days each year, with the potential to extend to 200 days. On training completion, you can serve from as little as one night a week, one weekend a month, or in consecutive weeks - in a way that suits your lifestyle.
Course: Part Time Army Officer Commissioning Program
Duration: 15 weeks (Over 7 residential courses)
Locations: Kapooka, NSW, Holsworthy, NSW and your local posted Army Reserve Unit
After completing the modules listed below you will be able to demonstrate the characteristics, conduct and bearing of an Australian Army Officer and graduate as a part-time Lieutenant in the Australian Army. You will be able to lead an Platoon or Troop within a Domestic Security and Response environment and you’ll have the skills and attributes to continue further training within your corps and specialisation.
These training blocks need to be completed consecutively and we’ll work with you to ensure they fit around your personal commitments.
Module 1A Army Initial Foundation Training
Duration: 21 Days
Locations: 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Kapooka, NSW
You will develop the Foundation Soldier behaviours, attitudes, skills, and knowledge (BASK) required for service in the Army. You’ll be taught weapon handling, communications, first aid and military dress and bearing to set you up for further training.
Upon completion, you’ll be posted to a local University Regiment to begin your training as an officer. Don’t worry as you won’t need to relocate, as your weekly training requirements will be at your local unit. Your unit will arrange your travel to and from Holsworthy Barracks, NSW to complete your remaining training blocks.
Module 1B All Corps Individual Skills
Duration: 16 Days
Locations: Holsworthy Barracks, NSW
During this course you’ll continue to develop the individual skills and professional behaviour required as a foundation to be an officer in the Australian Army. You will develop skills participating as a member of a small team operating in a threat environment including:
- The safe and effective use of individual weapons, pyrotechnics and equipment, including night fighting equipment
- Land Combat Foundation Field and Battle Craft
- Combat Casualty Care in a tactical environment
- Demonstrating Navigation Skills and;
- Participating in a Basic Fitness Assessment.
Module 2 Army Small Team Leading
Duration: 16 Days
Locations: Holsworthy Barracks, NSW
During this course you will learn the basic principles for leading and managing small teams in a military context. You’ll focus on developing foundation skills required to command, lead and operate a small team. Including:
- Planning and leading small team operations and;
- Participating in a military specific fitness assessment
Module 3 Foundation Leadership
Duration: 16 Days
Locations: Holsworthy Barracks, NSW
During this course you’ll learn to apply ADF leadership, Defence Values and ethical framework required for junior officers in the Australian Army. Including:
- Applying Leadership in an Army context and the including the use of mission command
- Developing Army Foundation Instructor Training, delivering theory and equipment lessons and conducting assessments
- Managing a platoon and supervising training
- Applying the Military Risk Management Application process and;
- Supervising maintenance Activities
Module 4 Foundation Warfighting
Duration: 16 Days
Locations: Holsworthy Barracks, NSW
During this course you’ll develop your knowledge of foundation warfighting in domestic security and response operations within the land domain, through conventional platoon level tactical actions. Including:
- Interpreting enemy tactics
- Explaining the Australian Army's conduct of foundation warfighting and;
- Commanding a platoon on conventional operations
Module 5 Foundation Planning
Duration: 16 Days
Locations: Holsworthy Barracks, NSW
During this course you’ll develop your ability to critically think and plan platoon tasks in domestic security and response operations within the land domain. You’ll be introduced to the deliberate planning processes in offensive and defensive environments. Including:
- Explaining why military leaders plan
- Applying rational thinking and problem solving
- Applying operational and tactical considerations during deliberate planning
- Understanding enemy operations
- Delivering planning briefs
Module 6 Foundation Command
Duration: 16 Days
Locations: Holsworthy Barracks, NSW
During this course you will be enable to command, manage and train a platoon or troop in the sub-unit environment. you’ll confirm the skills and knowledge you have gained over the course of your training by being assessed a Platoon Commander in a Domestic Security and Response environment before commissioning as an Army Reserve Lieutenant. This will include:
- Applying considerations for domestic security and response operations
- Applying Military Risk Management
- Conducting live-fire range safety appointments
- Participating in customs and traditions of Army's Officer Corps and describing the role of an Army Officer in ceremonial activities
Module Z
Duration: Training Nights and weekends in-between the 6 residential modules
Locations: Your posted Army Reserve Unit.
In between residential training blocks, you’ll undertake training to consolidate your skills at your posted university regiment. This will include attendance at parade nights and training weekends. The training staff will help you prepare for the residential training blocks, revise the skills you learn as well as provide instruction on military skills like fieldcraft, drill, training, military justice and written and oral communication.
After your Initial Military Training, you'll complete the following courses to become qualified as an Infantry Officer. These courses are offered throughout the year, and you can enrol in the session that best works around your other commitments.
Course: Royal Australian Infantry Regimental Officer Basic Course (ROBC) - Module 1
Duration: 16 days
Location: School of Infantry, Lone Pine Barracks, Singleton, NSW
Prepares you as a Rifle Platoon Commander for offensive operations and includes patrolling, platoon attacks, the advance and ambushing.
Course: Royal Australian Infantry Regimental Officer Basic Course (ROBC) - Module 2
Duration: 16 days
Location: School of Infantry, Lone Pine Barracks, Singleton, NSW
Prepares you as a Rifle Platoon Commander in defensive operations. You’ll focus on the withdrawal, vital asset protection, vehicle check points and the platoon in defence.
You may also be selected to take part in the following course so that you can plan and execute complex and safe live fire activities for your unit.
Course: Australian Defence Force Range Qualification Course
Duration: 4 weeks
Location: School of Infantry, Lone Pine Barracks, Singleton, NSW