airfield defence guard

CALL 13 19 01

defencejobs.gov.au/airforce/jobs/AirfieldDefenceGuard

Document generated on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 6:49:27 PM

Airfield Defence Guard

• Full Time

• ReserveWeapons handling and field operations are just some of the activities you'll be

performing in this exciting, male only role. Apply now!

Job Details

Other Ranks (Non Technical), Other Ranks (Non Technical)

(Reserve)

Airfield Defence Guards (ADG) are non-commissioned Air Force members who provide the specialist

ground defence force required to protect air power assets from the effects of hostile ground action in

and around Air Force Bases and Installations, both in Australia and overseas. They form the basis of the

Air Force's ground combat force, protecting Base assets, infrastructure and personnel against attack by

enemy ground forces for up to approximately five kilometres from the airfield perimeter fence. They also

instruct other Air Force personnel in relevant ground defence techniques.

The mentally and physically demanding nature of the duties carried out by ADGs requires the

maintenance of very high physical fitness and physical employment standards. You will frequently be

absent from your home base and family for several months of the year. During training and operations,

ADGs work in all terrains and climatic conditions by day and night. You must be able to function in

extreme conditions for indefinite periods and endure high levels of fatigue, with the purpose of locating

and defeating the enemy.

ADGs require a high level of personal discipline, adaptability, tenacity, team focus and be willing to work

for long periods in close proximity of other team members for extended periods. ADGs may patrol for up

to 5 days without access to amenities, carrying mission essential items and personal food and water.

While participating in training and on operations, ADGs can expect to work physically hard, for long

hours.

Even though you will be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment, the ADG working

environment is often hazardous and you will be exposed to a high level of noise, small arms weapon

systems and high explosives. ADGs may also be required to work in nuclear, biological and chemical

protective ensembles for prolonged periods. In a non-operational environment, ADGs will work in

instructional settings, on ground weapon ranges, under simulated operational conditions and use small

arms weapons systems and high explosives.

ADGs live and work as a team, normally in groups of five to ten men. Some typical tasks performed by

ADGs are:

foot and vehicle patrolling by day and by night in and around both established and bare base

airfields and through vegetated or urban environments in all extremities of weather conditions and

locations within or outside of Australia;

Aircraft Security Operations providing protection to aircraft, infrastructure and personnel;

construction of field defences and obstacles such as weapon pits and bunkers, fences and road

blocks;

search and clearance operations;

manning of crew served weapons such as machine guns and anti-armour weapons; and

instruction on small arms such as rifle, shotguns and machine guns.

Equipment Carriage (Very important)

During training and on operations, ADGs will be required to carry equipment such as:

Patrol Order (webbing and rifle) 12 kg;

Field order (Pack, webbing and rifle) minimum 25 kg; and

Additional equipment specific to the mission such as Ballistic Vest, Helmet, and secondary weapon

systems.

The operational role of an ADG will require them to develop the specialised Ground Defence skills and

knowledge needed to perform their duties in an operational environment.

For further information on the roles and history of the ADG, refer to the Airfield Defence Guard

website.

Entry

Other Ranks (Non Technical)

General Entry (Non-Technical Trainee) is the term used to describe the large number of non-technical

jobs available to people entering the Air Force as airmen (non-officer entry) and for which training is

provided. Each trade in the Air Force is referred to as a mustering; for example, the Cook trade is a

mustering.

General Entry (Non-Technical Trainee) airmen graduate from recruit training with the rank of

aircraftman/aircraftwoman and generally progress to leading aircraftman/leading aircraftwoman after 12

months productive service following completion of initial employment training and successful completion

of workplace competencies. Further promotion to corporal, sergeant, flight sergeant and warrant officer

is based on performance, time in rank, vacancies and the successful completion of promotion courses.

Corporals are referred to as Non-Commissioned Officers, or NCOs, while sergeants and flight sergeants

are called Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs). Warrant Officer is the most senior airman rank. A

corporal will normally have some responsibility for the supervision of junior staff and this progressively

increases on promotion to sergeant and flight sergeant. A warrant officer normally has a substantial

personnel management role.

The Air Force has a system whereby serving airmen may, in certain circumstances, be appointed as

officers. The prerequisites vary depending on your mustering, the preferred officer specialisation, your

rank, performance history and a number of other factors.

Other Ranks (Non Technical) (Reserve)

Note: Applicants must live within 3 hours surface travelling time of an Airfield Defence Squadron or Rifle

Flight.

Part-time ADGs are a fundamental component of the Air Force's ground defence capability and can

deploy on exercises and may apply for operational service overseas. Part-time ADGs are utilised in areas

of war-like operations and in backfill positions left vacant by other Air Force personnel who have

deployed.

Attendance Commitment

Part-time ADGs are required to accept a full-time employment contract involving 11 months full-time

service followed by four years part-time service commitment of a minimum of 32 days each year.

During the 11 months full-time service period, you will be required to undergo initial recruit training at

No 1 Recruit Training Unit (1RTU) followed by initial employment training at RAAF Security and Fire

School (RAAFSFS). Posting will then be to either No 1 Airfield Defence Squadron or No 2 Airfield Defence

Squadron at Amberley, QLD for operational readiness training that will complete your 11 months full-time

service.

Following the completion of the 11 months full-time service you will train and work during part-time

service at an Airfield Defence Squadron Rifle Flight located near your home town. Rifle Flights are located

at RAAF Bases Amberley (QLD), Williamtown (NSW), Richmond (NSW), Laverton (VIC), Edinburgh (SA),

and Pearce (WA).

During the four years part-time service ADGs will be required to elect whether they wish to serve in the

Air Force High Readiness Reserve. Should they do so they are entitled to receive a tax exempt

completion bonus of $5000 upon the anniversary date of their election to serve in the High Readiness

Reserve provided they meet all the job proficiencies required of an ADG. In addition they are entitled to

a tax exempt Health Support Allowance of $2500 per annum for the purchase of top tabled health

insurance.

Important to note

Reserve ADG may apply to transfer to the Permanent Air Force (PAF) or volunteer for a period of

full-time service with the PAF. Success of this application may depend on vacancies at the time.

Annual Activities

During Air Force Active Reserve service all members are required to complete the following activities:

bi-annual physical fitness test; and

as well as normal ADG ground defence and weapon training, further continuation training including first

aid, fire fighting, equity, security, fraud and occupational health and safety awareness training is

required.

Applicant Selection Process

Entry as an Air Force Active Reserve ADG is by selection to fill available vacancies. The selection

standards are the same as those for joining the Permanent Air Force.

To enlist as an Air Force Active Reserve ADG contact your local Defence Force Recruiting Centre or

telephone 13 19 01. A Careers Counsellor will discuss with you the various aspects of the Active Reserve.

If you meet the minimum requirement, an interview will be arranged for you with a senior member of

the ADG mustering who will be able to discuss the part time ADG role in more detail.

Further information on part-time ADF careers can be found by accessing the Defence Reserves

website or for details on the roles and history of the ADG, refer to the Airfield Defence Guard

website.

The Defence Reserves Support Council also promotes the benefits of Reserve service by establishing

partnerships with the community and employers.

Pay & Allowances


Salary while undertaking Military (Recruit) Training: $1,210 per fortnight ($31,538 per year).*

Salary while undertaking Initial Employment Training: $1,382 per fortnight ($36,043 per year).*

While under training, you will receive $335 per fortnight ($8,742 per year) pro rata Trainee Allowance.

Salary (excluding allowances) on completion of Initial Employment Training: $1,620 per fortnight

($42,247 per year).*

In addition to your salary, you will also receive Service Allowance of $447 per fortnight ($11,662 per

year) except while undertaking Military (Initial) or Employment training. This allowance compensates a

member for the unique requirements that service life may impose on an individual and his or her family.

To assist you in maintaining your uniforms in good order and condition, you will also receive a Uniform

Allowance of $16 per fortnight ($419 per year).

Each General Entry job in the Australian Defence Force is classified into a pay grade. This particular job is

classified as a Pay Grade 2 occupation.

Salary will continue to increase based on rank and the number of years of service completed in that rank.

Pay Grade may also increase following the acquisition of additional skills and completion of advanced

courses.

Refer to the Salary Scales for further details.

* Note: These figures do not include compulsory deductions for taxation; meals, accommodation and

utilities (as applicable); and superannuation.


During the 11 months full-time service period you will receive salary as follows:

Salary while undertaking Military (Recruit) Training: $1,210 per fortnight ($31,538 per year).*

Salary while undertaking Initial Employment Training: $1,382 per fortnight ($36,043 per year).*

While under training, you will receive $335 per fortnight ($8,742 per year) pro rata Trainee Allowance.

To assist you in maintaining your uniforms in good order and condition, you will also receive a Uniform

Allowance of $16 per fortnight ($419 per year).

Salary (excluding allowances) on completion of Initial Employment Training: $1,620 per fortnight

($42,247 per year).*

In addition to your salary, you will also receive Service Allowance of $447 per fortnight ($11,662 per

year) except while undertaking Military (Initial) or Employment training. This allowance compensates a

member for the unique requirements that service life may impose on an individual and his or her family.

On completion of your 11 months full-time service contract you will receive the following salary:

Air Force Active Reserve ADGs on Part Time Service (PTS) receive $115.75 per day tax free. ADGs on

part time service will also receive a tax exempt Service Allowance of $12.04 per day.

Each General Entry job in the Australian Defence Force is classified into a pay grade. This particular job is

classified as a Pay Grade 2 occupation. Your Pay Grade will normally increase following the acquisition of

additional skills and completion of advanced courses.

Refer to the Salary Scales for further details.

Completion Bonus and Health Support Allowance

Air Force Active Reserve ADGs on part time service who elect to serve in the Air Force High Readiness

Reserve may also be entitled to a tax exempt completion bonus of $5000 upon meeting the proficiencies

of the role and a tax exempt Health Support Allowance of $2500 for the purchase of top tabled health

insurance.

Taxation

Members on Full-Time Service (FTS) will be taxed at normal tax rates. The Income Tax Assessment Act

allows payment for periods of PTS to be tax exempt.

* Note: These figures do not include compulsory deductions for taxation; meals, accommodation and

utilities (as applicable); and superannuation.

General Requirements

Age Requirement


Must be aged between 17 and 55 years inclusive on day of entry.

Note the eligibility for candidates to hold a full driver's licence.


Applicants must be aged between 17 and 60 years of age inclusive on entry.

Applicants will not normally be allowed to enter the ADF until they achieve a minimum of 17 years of

age, however they may be able to initiate the application process from 16 years and six months of age,

depending upon the capacity of their local recruiting centre.

Citizenship Requirement

Only Australian citizens are permitted to serve in the ADF.

If you are a Permanent Resident of Australia, the ADF may consider a temporary waiver of the

citizenship requirement if the position for which you are applying cannot be filled by an applicant who

meets all the citizenship requirements, and then only in exceptional circumstances. You will be required

to obtain Australian citizenship as early as possible following enlistment or appointment.

More information on citizenship requirements and the citizenship waiver process is available from the

Recruitment Centre and your local Defence Force Recruiting Centre.

Security Requirement

The Department of Defence requires ADF entrants to attain a security clearance appropriate to their

avenue of entry.

A process of background checks, collection of relevant information and, as required, interviews enables

the Regional Security Office to make an informed assessment of an applicant's suitability for a security

clearance

Current policy requires applicants for this particular avenue of entry to have lived in Australia for the

preceding 5 years, or have a checkable background for this period.

Aptitude Requirement

The application process to join the Australian Defence Force requires you to complete a series of aptitude

tests including verbal, spatial and numerical ability and a general maths test. Some jobs may also need

additional testing at a later date.

Psychology support staff will explain what is involved with each test.

The aptitude tests provide information about your suitability for the Defence Force and for particular

jobs. Defence Force Recruiting can then help you identify jobs that match your abilities.

Further information on the aptitude testing requirements can be found here.

Gender Restriction

The Direct Combat exclusion precludes the employment of women in this job role.

Education Requirements


(Reserve)

It is essential that the applicant has completed Year 10 with passes in English and Maths and is proficient

in the areas of spelling and grammar,

or

If you do not satisfy the education requirements for this trade or do not possess evidence of your

educational attainment there is an alternative pathway available to you.

You may be eligible to sit an Alternative Education Equivalency (AEE) Assessment to ascertain your

ability at the required educational level for this trade.

Further information is available here.

Medical & Fitness Requirements


(Reserve)

To be enlisted or appointed, you must be medically and physically fit for entry to your chosen

occupation. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your

medical history, followed by a physical examination.

You will also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness test before appointment / enlistment. For

Ground Defence Officer and Airfield Defence Guard, the standard you will be required to meet

before appointment or enlistment is a PFA consisting of:

Push-Ups: 15;

Sit-Ups: 45; and

Shuttle Run: 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.

Physical fitness is very important for Ground Defence Officers and Airfield Defence Guards as they are

required to maintain a higher fitness level than most members of the RAAF. This is to ensure that

Ground Defence Officers and Airfield Defence Guards can cope with the physically demanding conditions

often encountered in the nature of their duties.

Period of Service


You will be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of four years. Subsequent periods of

service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service.

You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding Initial Minimum Period

of Service obligation and provide a minimum of three months notice.


Airfield Defence Guard candidates who enlist into the Air Force Reserve have an initial full-time contract

of 11 months, and are required to serve the following four years part-time, or until age 65 (Compulsory

Retiring Age), whichever occurs earlier.

Members may transfer out of an active element of the Air Force Reserve at any time.

Additional Requirements


(Reserve)

It is essential to hold a current unrestricted Australian Class 1 (or equivalent) Motor Vehicle licence (a

'P2' Provisional Licence is acceptable) endorsed and proficient with manual transmission. The holder of

the licence must be free of traffic infringements that may cause future cancellation or suspension of the

licence. Where a current Provisional (P2) Licence is held, the holder must have had a minimum of 12 months (P1& P2 combined) driving experience prior to enlistment.

Military Training


(Reserve)

Duration: 10 weeks and four days

Location: RAAF Base Wagga (NSW)

No 1 Recruit Training Unit (1RTU) conducts initial recruit training for Airmen and Airwomen. The 10 week

and four day recruit course is an intensive period of learning and adjustment to a military lifestyle. The

aims of the course are to: provide an orderly transition from civilian to Air Force life; equip the recruit

with the basic knowledge, skills and physical fitness to perform future roles in the Air Force; and instil in

the recruit the motivation to become a dedicated and productive Air Force member.

For more details on recruit training, refer to the Joining instructions. These instructions will provide

you and your family with enough information to arrange your personal affairs before enlistment in the Air

Force, and give you an idea of what you will be doing on the recruit course.

Further details on recruit training are also available on the 1RTU website.

Upon graduation, most Airmen and Airwomen undertake specialist employment training before moving

on to full employment in their chosen mustering in the Air Force.

During Military (Initial Recruit) Training and (Initial) Employment Training, members may be required to

pay a contribution towards meals, accommodation and utilities.

Employment Training

Other Ranks (Non Technical) (Reserve), Other Ranks (Non

Technical)

Airfield Defence Guard Basic Course

Duration: 14.4 weeks

Recruit training is followed by the 14.4 week full-time Airfield Defence Guard Basic Course conducted at

the RAAF Security and Fire School (RAAFSFS), RAAF Base Amberley, QLD. Training is provided on: small

arms weapons, high explosive weapons and explosive stores, radio communications, field engineering,

battle-craft and tactics, map reading and navigation, nuclear, biological and chemical defence, first aid

and casualty handling.

The basic ADG course is physically very demanding. Accordingly, students need to have a very high level

of physical fitness before commencing training. Upon graduation from RAAFSFS, students must be able

to perform chin-ups, sit-ups (3 second cadence, feet not held) and run 2.4 kilometres according to age

group. For example, ADGs less than 25 years of age are required to perform 10 chin-ups, 40 sit-ups and

run 2.4 kilometres in 10 minutes or less. ADGs are assessed twice yearly for physical fitness.

Additionally, ADG trainees are required to complete the Battle Efficiency Test; a 15 km march in field

order (in just over 2 hrs), a six metre rope climb, and a run, dodge and jump activity.

Note: Whilst not a formal requirement, candidates are encouraged to meet the physical fitness

standards required of an ADG prior to entering the Air Force. Do not commence a physical fitness

program without consulting a physician.

Further Training


Post-graduate Training

There are many professional development courses available on graduation from the Airfield Defence

Guard Basic Course. Some of these include:

ADG leadership / Promotion Courses;

Close Personal Protection Course (CPP);

Driver training (Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV)), Bushmaster, Unimog truck, DRZ 400cc

Motorcycle);

Instructor Technique Course; and

Weapon Instructor Course.

Promotion through the ranks of non commissioned officer is competitive and subject to vacancies. You

will need to demonstrate sound trade skills, positive attitude and also to have successfully completed any

qualifying trade tests and/or promotion examinations. The opportunity exists within the mustering for

promotion to the rank of Warrant Officer.


OPERATIONAL READINESS TRAINING

On completion of the ADG Basic Course you will undertake Operational Readiness Training. This training

will assist with your transition into a Squadron environment and is an integral part of the 11 months full

time service period.

The Operational Readiness Training program covers all typical ground defence operational requirements

as well as routine administrative requirements. The program has been devised to be both interesting and

challenging using realism in mission orientation and finally group dynamics. The program consists of the

following phases.

Specialist Training

Direct Fire Support Weapons: ADGs will trained to operated the MAG 58 GSMG, the 84mm Medium

Direct Fire Support Weapon, the 66 Light Direct Fire Support Weapon; and

Motor Transport Operations: ADGs will be trained to operate military vehicles to support ground

defence operations and training.

Patrol and Surveillance Operation

Section and Flight Tactics by day and night.

Close Defence Operations

Military Operations in Urban Terrain;

Quick reaction Force; and

Air Security Operations.

Live Fire Exercises

an assessment on all skills taught during Operational Readiness Training.

Employment Location


Once you have successfully completed the ADG Basic Course, you can expect a posting to either No 1

Airfield Defence Squadron (1AFDS) or No 2 Airfield Defence Squadron (2AFDS) at RAAF Base Amberley,

Ipswich, Queensland.


On completion of recruit and basic Airfield Defence Guard training, Air Force Active Reserve ADGs will be

posted to either No 1 Airfield Defence Squadron or No 2 Airfield Defence Squadron (RAAF Base

Amberley, Queensland) to continue operational readiness training for the remaining period of their 11

months full-time duty employment contract.

Other


(Reserve)

Daily Physical Training Routine

AFDS members will report at 7:15 am for morning parade.

On completion of parade, Rifle Flight members will conduct physical training under supervision of a

Physical Training Instructor or Ground Defence Fitness Leader. Physical training will involve a

combination of strength, cardio and military specific workouts which will assist in the physical nature of

the ADG role.

After physical training, ADGs begin their training day in accordance with the Rifle Flight training program.

The program will be specific to the Rifle Flight but may involve activities such as: range practices firing

live rounds utilising a variety of weapon systems, patrolling activities, aircraft security operations,

unarmed combat, and field craft training.

The day will normally conclude at 4:15 pm.

Additional to the daily program, AFDS members spend weeks at a time away from RAAF Amberley on

exercises and training activities.

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