Australia's Federation Guard
- Minister |
- Navy |
- Army |
- Air Force |
- Department
Australia's Federation Guard
Daily Life in the Guard
Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) like many other Defence establishments works between the hours 0800 to 1600, Monday - Friday.
AFG has a full calendar of commitments; therefore guardsmen are required to maintain a high level of fitness at all times. Everyday starts with physical training which is run by the unit Physical Training Instructor (PTI). The morning sessions involve a circuit focusing on strength and endurance. Every Thursday morning you can find the Guard out running around the picturesque Canberra walking tracks, with the Guards favourite being around a segment of Lake Burley Griffin. Once this physical training is completed it is followed by ‘mornos’ before getting into the rest of the days activities.
The Guard takes their individual and collective drill very seriously as the parades are always in the public eye and often in front of our national and world leaders.
After lunch the Guard usually splits up into its different services for service trade training. First Aid, radio and communication and infantry minor tactics training are some examples of a regular afternoon training. However, the Guard also cross train in different aspects of the other services. This allows the Guardsmen to appreciate what life is like in the other services.
Every Wednesday afternoon is an organised unit sporting competition run by the PTI’s. We play a myriad of sports and the different types of sports are only limited by the Guard’s imagination. When all the games are finished the Guard comes together in the unit’s soldier area called the Bayonets Rest for the sporting results of the afternoon and to allow the Guardmen to socialise.
A Typical Day
A Day at the Guard |
|
08.00 |
Form up parade for roll call & brief of daily activities |
08.10 - 09.30 |
PT starts includes activities such as a lake run, circuit classes, interval training, pool circuits and minor team games. |
09.30 - 10.00 |
Stand Easy |
10.00 - 12.00 |
Guard Drill Training |
12.00 - 13.00 |
Lunch |
13.30 - 16.00 |
Single Service or Guard training time. Activities could include Infantry Minor Tactics, Naval rope work and team building activities (on Wednesday the Guard has sport) |
16.00 |
Secure (Knock Off) |
Saturday |
Stand Down |
Sunday |
Stand Down |
The above is a typical daily program for the AFG. The program is flexible and can easily change in the lead up to parades. The program can be challenging with sometimes up to three or more commitments scheduled in any given week. Scheduled events are not limited to the ACT area and may involve interstate travel.
Local Activities
Being in Canberra allows the Guard to visit the many tourist attractions that the city has to offer. Old and New Parliament house, the Australian Mint and the National Library are a small proportion of the places the Guard visits. But if you don’t know what the Australian War Memorial has to offer before coming to the Guard you will by the time you leave.
Adventure Training
The Guard has a unique opportunity to conduct Adventure Training all year round. Activities that have been canyoning, caving, canoeing, rock climbing, accelerated free fall parachuting, scuba diving, snow survival, hiking the Kokoda trail and sailing. There is also the opportunity for individuals to attend the Army Adventure Training Cell in order to become a Unit Adventure Training Leader.
Travel
Guard members can expect to travel to most Capital cities in Australia within a year. There is also the opportunity for members who perform well to travel overseas to places such as Gallipoli or France for ANZAC Day and other commemorative events.
If you choose to become a member of the Precision Drill Team (PDT) then the travel locations and frequency of trips increase significantly. The PDT regularly performs at the National Careers Expos as well as other local community events like the Aberdeen Highland Games in central NSW.
