First Appointment Course

Course Information

The Army Reserve General Service Officer First Appointment Course (ARes GSO FAC) is made up of five residential training blocks which are conducted at different locations around the country, consolidated by training in your home unit and a self-paced learning package. This gives you the flexibility to complete the training around your civilian employment commitments, leave allowances, common university breaks or personal commitments.

It will take from one to three years to complete the ARes GSO FAC and at the end of the course you will graduate as an Army Reserve officer capable of commanding a platoon of 30 soldiers on peace and security operations. The training will build upon the Army's ethos, values and rules for a fair go; all of which you will be expected to display throughout all aspects of this course.

Residential Training Blocks

Training Block 1 (Course Code 204543)- Military Foundation Skills is actually the Reserve Recruit Training Course and will be conducted at the Army Recruit Training Centre, Kapooka, near Wagga Wagga in NSW. Qualified soldiers who are selected to be officers may be granted recognition for this training and would normally commence the ARes GSO FAC at Training Block 2. RCC for subsequent training blocks is to made on an individual basis, directly to the Director Army Reserve Training at RMC. Likewise any officer candidate who does not wish to continue officer training is able to become a soldier on completion of this training block. This training block is 28 days long and is usually undertaken in January or July. It is also available at other times of the year, if required. For more information:

ARTC Website

Training Block 2 (Course Code 206324)- Small Military Team Leader Theory is 16 days long and is conducted in April and October by Adelaide Universities Regiment in South Australia. This training block builds on the skills introduced in Training Block 1 and introduces new operational, weapons and navigation skills. For more information:

AUR Website

Training Block 3 (Course Code 206325)- Small Military Team Leader is 16 days long and is conducted in January and June by University of New South Wales Regiment at RMC Duntroon in Canberra. This training block introduces command, leadership and management skills in addition to military administration. This training block is also your first step to learning the leadership and management skills that you will need to successfully command soldiers in the Australian Army. For more information:

UNSWR Website

Army Reserve General Service Officer First Appointment Course TB3 27 Jun to 12 Jul 09

Trainee Joining Instruction TB3 27 Jun to 12 Jul 09

Staff Joining Instruction TB3 23 Jun to 12 Jul 09

Training Block 4 (Course Code 206326)- Team Command, Leadership and Management is 16 days long and is conducted in April and October by Melbourne University Regiment at Puckapunyal, Victoria. This training block revises and tests what you have already learnt about small team level operations as well as building further on your administrative capabilities as a small team leader. This training block also gives you qualifications in the conduct of military live fire range practices. For more information: MUR Website

Training Block 5 (Course Code 206327)- All Corps Army Reserve Platoon Commander is 28 days long and is conducted in February and July by External Training Wing RMC Duntroon and Sydney University Regiment in Canberra. This training block confirms you have all the attributes, skills and values to become an officer in the Army Reserve. It also confirms that you have the leadership, management, operational skills and knowledge required of a junior officer to command a platoon on likely Army Reserve operations. On the successful completion of Training Block 5 you will be commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Australian Army. See the joining instruction below for more information.

2009 / 2010 Course Dates

Training Block	Course Code	Dates	Unit Responsible	Remarks
TB 1	204543	01 - 30 Jan 10	ARTC
TB1	204543	08 Jan - 06 Feb 10	ARTC
TB 1	204543	18 Jun - 17 Jul 10	ARTC
TB 2	206324	07 - 22 Apr 10	AUR
TB 2	206324	25 Sep - 10 Oct 10	AUR
TB 3	206325	30 Jan - 14 Feb 10	UNSWR
TB 3	206325	03 - 18 Jul 10	UNSWR
TB 4	206326	03 - 18 Apr 10	MUR
TB 4	206326	18 Sep - 03 Oct 10	MUR
TB 5	206327	23 Jan - 21 Feb 10	ETW (RMC)	0005
TB 5	206327	Jul - Aug 10	ETW (RMC)	Dates TBC

Training in Your Unit

In between the residential training blocks you will be expected to attend parade nights and weekends organised by your parent University Regiment. Your unit will look after all your administration for attending the ARes GSO FAC training blocks.

The training staff will revise the skills you have acquired on previous residential training blocks in preparation for your next training block.

A Training Assessment Record (TAR) will be issued to you and allow you to record your progress on these skills. There are also some additional requirements for training which are obtained through external organisations. These requirements will be explained to you by unit staff.

External Assessment Package (EAP)

During Training Block 2 you will be given a CD containing a series of exercises to be completed at home and handed in progressively before the next two training blocks. The CD will contain the references to assist you to complete this work.

Benefits of ARES GSO FAC

Civilian Accreditation - The Army is a Registered Training Organisation. The ARes GSO FAC is delivered using the Australian Quality Training Framework and therefore is eligible to receive civilian accreditation. This accreditation will be reviewed in the second half of 2008. When this review is complete a determination will be made on the qualifications that SCDTs may be awarded on successful completion of the course.

Training Value to Employers - Most employers are happy to have their staff join the Army Reserve. The ARes GSO FAC focuses on instilling Army's values of Courage, Initiative and Teamwork and is designed to develop a person's leadership potential. These are vital qualities in any workforce and the ARes GSO FAC training emphasises the development of these skills.

Employer Support Payment - Employers may be eligible to receive a subsidy from Defence while their employees are away doing the residential training blocks of the course. For more information: Employer Support Payment