Australia's Federation Guard
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Australia's Federation Guard
Daily Life in the Guard
Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) like many other Defence establishments works between 0800 to 1600h, Monday to Friday. The unit is sometimes tasked to work nights, weekends and holidays.
As AFG is tasked with a full calendar of ceremonial commitments each and every one of the Guardsmen are required to maintain a high level of fitness at all times. Everyday starts with a physical training session which is run by the unit’s Combat Fitness Leaders and Military Fitness Leaders. The morning sessions can be anything from a strength circuit, interval training to sprints and spin classes. Every Tuesday morning the session is a long slow run. You can often find the Guard out running picturesque Canberra running tracks around Lake Burley Griffin on a Tuesday morning! Once this physical training is completed, it is followed by morning tea before commencing the rest of the day’s activities.
Every day between 1000h and 1200h is drill training and rehearsals for all guard members. The Guard takes their individual and collective drill very seriously as parades are always in the public eye and the Guard represents all members of the ADF in front of a national and world audience.
After lunch the Guard usually splits up into its different Services for trade training. First Aid, radio and communication, seamanship and infantry minor tactics training are some examples of a regular afternoon’s training. Guard members are always keen cross train in different aspects of the other Services and are willing to learn as part of a tri-Service environment.
Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon is designated for sport. The Service Divisions compete against each other in a myriad of different sports throughout the year. When all the games are finished the Guard comes together at the unit’s social club, ‘Bayonets Rest.’
A Typical Day
A Day at the Guard |
|
0800h |
Roll call & brief of daily activities |
0810 – 0930h |
PT starts includes activities such as a lake run, circuit classes, interval training, pool circuits and minor team games. |
0930 – 1000h |
Stand Easy |
1000 – 1200h |
Guard Drill Training |
1200 – 1300h |
Lunch |
1330 – 1600h |
Single Service or Guard training time. Activities could include Infantry Minor Tactics, Naval rope work and team building activities. On Tuesday and Thursday the Guard has sport. |
1600h |
Secure (Knock Off) |
Saturday |
Stand Down |
Sunday |
Stand Down |
The above outline 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 ceremonial commitments scheduled in any given week. Scheduled events are not limited to the ACT area and often involve interstate or international 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, National Library and the Australian War Memorial are a small proportion of the places the Guard visits. AFG spends a lot of time at the Australian War Memorial. On every second Wednesday the Guard provides a catafalque party for the War Memorial Closing Ceremonies and therefore the Guard and the staff at the Australian War Memorial has built a close relationship.
Adventure Training
The Guard has a unique opportunity to conduct Adventure Training all year round. Activities recently have included Nordic skiing, white water rafting, caving, scuba diving, hiking through the Blue Mountains and hiking the Kokoda trail. There is also the opportunity and it encouraged for individuals to become a Unit Adventure Training Leader. AFG is always looking to find new and exciting team building exercises and activities for the members.
To learn more about our Adventure Training outings click here.
Travel
Guard members can expect to travel to most capital cities in Australia at least once during their posting. There is also the opportunity for members who perform well to travel overseas to places such as Gallipoli, France, Greece, Crete, Rome, Korea and Papua New Guinea, just to name a few, for a wide variety of commemorative events.
If you choose to become a member of the Precision Drill Team (PDT) the travel locations and frequency of trips increase significantly. The PDT regularly performs around the country at events such as Navy Week, school presentations, air shows and recently Brunei for the Royal Brunei International Tattoo.
Opportunities to excel
Many members of the Guard take the opportunity while posted to AFG to under go further training, gain qualifications and develop their wellbeing. Due to AFG being located at the Australian Defence Force Academy all members are free to play sport with any of the resident sporting teams such as the ADFA soccer, rugby and touch teams. As well as this many members choose to take the opportunity to gain educational qualifications whether it is a Certificate II or III, Year 12 Certificate or a degree. The infrastructure and support is here to achieve your goals while posted to AFG.
