Regional Force Soldier
As a part-time Regional Force Soldier, you'll be a member of the Regional Force Surveillance Unit (RFSU), gaining intel by observing and maintaining situational awareness in your Area of Responsibility. Regional Force Soldiers are usually recruited from the local area and in this role, you'll get the chance to protect the land you live on while experiencing adventure outside of the everyday.
What you'll do
Using your knowledge of the land, you'll conduct stealth patrols, detecting suspicious activity and reporting back to the ADF or relevant government agency. You'll also be trained in skilled small patrol tactics and effective teamwork while gathering an intimate knowledge of the local infrastructure.
Your duties may include:
- conducting surveillance and reconnaissance operations, including route reconnaissance
- acquiring and verifying military geographic information within assigned Areas of Operations
- locating and reporting on enemy positions
- conducting observation posts in tactically suited areas
- conducting surveillance tasks in conjunction with Federal and State Government authorities when authorised.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career. As you progress, the Army will provide you with development opportunities to assist you with your increasing leadership responsibility, as well as further education and specialised training to strengthen your skillset. This will help you to command and run a highly skilled team of soldiers and the employment of their equipment.
Following training, you’ll attend what’s called a parade night at your local Reserve unit, where you’ll refine your specific employment skills, plan for exercises and maintain your military training. Depending on your role, you may be given opportunities to travel interstate and overseas to take part in exercises, deployments and disaster relief activities.
There are Army Reserve depots located all around Australia, and this role may be available near you even if not listed in the locations below. With this being a critical role within the ADF, it’s possible that positions will be created outside of the listed locations. This will be reviewed and determined on a case-by-case basis.
NT
- Groote Eylandt Depot, Groote, NT
- Jabiru Depot, Jabiru, NT
- Larrakeyah Barracks, Larrakeyah, NT
- NORFORCE, Katherine, NT
- NORFORCE, Alice Springs, NT
- NORFORCE, Tennant Creek, NT
- NORFORCE, Nhulunbuy, NT
- NORFORCE, Borroloola, NT
- NORFORCE, Nguiu NT.
Qld
- 51 FNQR, Aurukun, Qld
- 51 FNQR, Bamaga, Qld
- Atherton Depot, Atherton, Qld
- Calendar Park, Innisfail, Qld
- Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, Qld
- Lockhart River Depot, Lockhart River, Qld
- Mt Isa Depot, Mt Isa, Qld
- Pormpuraaw Depot, Cairns, Qld
- Porton Barracks, Cairns, Qld
- Thursday Island Depot, Thursday Island, Qld
- Weipa Depot, Weipa, Qld
- Yorke Island Depot, Yorke Island, Qld.
WA
- Broome Depot, Broome, WA
- Carnarvon Training Depot, Carnarvon, WA
- Exmouth Depot, Exmouth, WA
- Geraldton Training Barracks, Geraldton, WA
- Newman Depot, Newman, WA
- NORFORCE, Broome, WA
- NORFORCE, Derby, WA
- NORFORCE, Kununurra, WA
- Port Hedland Depot, Port Hedland, WA
- Taylor Barracks, Karratha, WA
- Tom Price Depot, Tom Price, WA.
In the job I think it's very important that you're always learning and teaching.
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.
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.
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.
You’ll complete the following military training to prepare for your role. These courses are offered throughout the year and can be completed around your other commitments.
Course: Regional Force Surveillance Unit Induction Course (RFSUIC)
Duration: 16 days
Location: RFSU centres in Darwin (NORFORCE), NT, Karratha (Pilbara Regiment), WA Cairns (51 FNQR), Qld
During the course, you’ll be instructed by Australian Regular Army (ARA) Cadre staff, CSS Subject Matter Experts (SME) and RFSU Army Reserve instructors. Your training will develop those foundation skills, knowledge and attitudes required to prepare you for employment as a Regional Force Soldier.
Course: Army Reserve Recruit Course
Duration: 3 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.
You’ll need to complete this course within 6 months of enlisting.
After completing your Initial Military Training, you’ll complete the following course. Sessions are offered throughout the year, and you can enrol into them around your other commitments at a time that works for you.
Course: Patrolman Course
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: RFSU centres in Darwin (NORFORCE), NT, Karratha (Pilbara Regiment), WA Cairns (51 FNQR), Qld
This training concentrates on fieldcraft skills and small patrol tactics and focuses on various weapons systems, field firing and night fighting equipment that an RFSU Regional Force Soldier may employ.
RFSU Regional Force Soldiers may also qualify as Signallers, Patrol Medics, Combat Drivers, Small Craft Handlers or Visual Trackers in order to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to be a member of a RFSU patrol.