Career

As an Operator Ground Based Air Defence you will use some of the most advanced missile and surveillance radar systems in the world to detect, identify, acquire and destroy hostile aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and other hostile air threats. You will be highly trained to be highly skilled, and paid very well for your time.

Job Details
Other Ranks (Non Technical)
The Operator Ground Based Air Defence (OpGBAD) (ECN 237) is a member of the Royal Australian Artillery (RAA) and is competent in undertaking a range of Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) tasks. These may include detecting, identifying, acquiring and engaging hostile aircraft utilising Ground Based Air Defence Weapon Systems (GBADWS). This role is performed by the 16th Air Defence Regiment located in Woodside, South Australia with the current in-service equipment being the RBS 70 missile system. The OpGBAD is the single recruit entry point for service within the GBAD stream of artillery. It is the feeder trade for subsequent ECNs: 396 Supervisor Ground Based Air Defence (SPVR GBAD) and 397 Manager GBAD (MGR GBAD). Within ECN 237 personnel progress through different levels to occupy supervisory and command roles within the GBADWS detachments and associated command and control networks.

Function
The job functions of the OpGBAD are to work as a member of GBADWS, Command Post (CP) or Target Sensor (TS) Detachment within an Air Defence Battery as part of an Air Defence Regiment. Additionally as the ECN 237 personnel progress through their careers they will have the opportunity to undertake instructional roles in other locations throughout Australia.

Tasks
The primary task of the OpGBAD is the support of ADF operations through the provision of Short-Range Air Defence (SHORAD). They may also be required to act in infantry-like roles in order to provide survivability to GBADWS detachments and command and control elements. OpGBAD functions may include (but are not limited to the following):

• Bringing weapons and equipment into and out of action;
• Detecting, identifying, acquiring and engaging hostile aircraft;
• The provision of local defence;
• Minor servicing and maintenance of GBAD equipment, vehicles and stores;
• The operation of basic combat communications equipment;
• The operation of individual and crew served combat weapons; and
• Drives, services and maintains cross-country vehicles.

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 Army as soldiers (non-Officer entry). The Army is made up of different specialist branches, called Corps, which perform various different functions such as Administration, Catering, Communications, Health, Armoured, Artillery, Engineering, Infantry and Transport.
General Entry (Non-Technical Trainee) soldiers graduate from recruit training with the rank of private and generally progress to private proficient after 12 months productive service following completion of initial employment training. Further promotion to corporal, sergeant and warrant officer is based on performance, the length of time spent in a particular rank and vacancies and will normally require the successful completion of trade and All Corp promotion courses.

Corporals (Bombardiers in Artillery) are referred to as Junior Non-Commissioned Officers, or JNCOs, while sergeants and warrant officers are called Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs). Warrant officer Class 1 is the most senior soldier rank. A corporal will normally have some responsibility for the supervision of junior staff and this progressively increases on promotion to sergeant. A warrant officer normally has a substantial personnel management role.

ADF Gap Year
The ADF Gap Year program provides Year 12 school leavers an alternative to other options such as travelling and temporary work before taking up tertiary or vocational training or other paid employment.
The ADF Gap Year offers a 'try before you buy' experience of military training and lifestyle for young men and women, without any obligation to serve beyond the 12-month program. The program offers worthwhile training and employment within various ADF career streams that are the same as those undertaken by fulltime members of the ADF. ADF Gap Year participants will receive a substantial salary during the program and benefit from standard ADF employment entitlements such as free medical and dental care, subsidised accommodation and meals and employment allowances.

Pay & Allowances

Other Ranks (Non Technical)
Salary while undertaking Military (Recruit) Training: $1,141 per fortnight ($29,670 per year).*
Salary while undertaking Employment Training: $1,304 per fortnight ($33,909 per year).*
Salary (excluding allowances) on completion of Employment Training: $1,528 per fortnight ($39,745 per year).*

In addition to your base salary, Service Allowance at the rate of $420 per fortnight ($10,971 per year*) is paid once you have completed Recruit and Employment training to compensate for the unique requirements that service life may impose on you or your family.
To assist you in maintaining your uniforms in good order and condition, you will also receive a Uniform Allowance of $19 per fortnight ($503 per year).
Each General Entry job in the Australian Defence Force is classified into a pay group. This particular job is classified as a Pay Group 2 occupation.
Salary will continue to increase based on rank and the number of years of service completed in that rank. Pay Group may also increase following the acquisition of additional skills and completion of advanced courses.
Trainees with dependants may be entitled to Trainee's Dependant Allowance which is paid to enable trainees with dependants to receive a salary not less than $1,406 per fortnight ($36,658 per year*) while training. Conditions apply. Speak to your Careers Counsellor for details.

* Note: These figures are correct as at 5 February 2009 and do not include compulsory deductions for taxation; meals, accommodation and utilities (as applicable); and superannuation.

ADF Gap Year
ADF Gap Year participants will be paid in accordance with the pay grade which applies to their enlistment/appointment rank within the service in which they are employed.

BONUS
Those participants who complete their ADF Gap Year and go on to complete a Defence-recognised tertiary or vocational qualification at a civilian institution may receive a $10,000 bonus upon successfully re-joining the ADF in a full-time career within five years of successfully completing their Gap Year.

General Requirements

Age Requirement
Other Ranks (Non Technical)
Must be aged between 17 and 55 years inclusive on day of entry.
Applicants will not 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.

ADF Gap Year
Must be aged between 17 to 24 inclusive on date of entry to the Gap Year program.

Citizenship Requirement

Citizenship requirements will be met, for Full-time and Part-time applicants, if any of the following apply:

• You are an Australian citizen;
• You are a permanent resident who can provide a Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) receipt to prove you have applied for Australian citizenship. (A permanent resident is generally eligible to apply for citizenship after two years. A permanent resident married to an Australian can apply immediately); or
• You are a permanent resident who is not eligible to apply for Australian citizenship but are prepared to sign an undertaking to apply after completing at least 3 months service in the ADF or at least 6 months part-time service in the ADF Reserve. (Permanent residents become eligible to apply for citizenship on completion of 3 months service in the ADF or 6 months part-time service in the ADF Reserve).
• A permanent resident who enters the ADF will have their service terminated if they subsequently:
• Fail to apply for citizenship when eligible to do so;
• Are not offered citizenship; or
• Fail to accept citizenship when it is offered.

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
Aptitude testing is undertaken to assess your ability to cope with the training and intellectual demands placed on you whilst serving in the ADF. The standards are sound and realistic in expectation, with psychology support staff explaining what is involved with each test.

Gender Restriction
There are no gender restrictions for employment in any OpGBAD positions.

Education Requirements
Other Ranks (Non Technical)
Completion of Australian Year 9 education (or equivalent) with passes in English and Mathematics, 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 sit an Alternative Education Equivalency (AEE) Assessment to ascertain your ability at the required educational level for this trade.

ADF Gap Year
School leavers must have completed Year 12 (or equivalent) in the past two years. Those students currently undertaking Year 12 and who have not yet received their Year 12 results may also apply. These students are to provide a Certificate of Attendance (or equivalent) to prove attendance to date at Year 12 studies and provide results when received.

Medical & Fitness Requirements
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 enlistment.
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 Demands - OpGBAD
The OpGBAD requires a high standard of physical fitness and endurance to enable prolonged periods of work in extremes of climate and with minimal rest. The OpGBAD will work long hours under stress and sleep deprivation while conducting manual labour and maintaining mental alertness. The OpGBAD is expected to carry excessive weights of equipment in addition to personal loads of ammunition, rations, water and weapon whilst travelling cross-country by foot in adverse terrain for long distances. The OpGBAD will be required to pass Combat Fitness Assessment whilst wearing marching orders, webbing and carrying weapon.
Usual demand.
Typical physical demands associated with OpGBAD tasks are as follows:
1. Lift, carry and handle loads of equipment and stores up to 63kg weight over a range of distances;
2. The construction and digging-in of field defences in all soils and terrain conditions;
3. Climbing and balancing when working on natural features, roofs and towers; and
4. Is required to meet the physical demands identified for the combat soldier.
Most demanding.
The most demanding physical state for the OpGBAD is the combination of strength and endurance required for the activity of man-pack deploying a GBADWS and its associated stores.

Physical Skills
The OpGBAD requires average physical skills, however a high degree of physical coordination is required. The physical skills required by the OpGBAD are as follows:
Usual demand.
The OpGBAD requires unimpaired hand eye coordination and manual dexterity in order to:
1. Acquire, track and engage AWPs; and
2. To effectively engage ground targets, both moving and stationary with a variety of weapons integral to the AD Tp in order to provide self-defence.
Most demanding.
To acquire, track and engage an AWP attacking his own position.

Period of Service

Other Ranks (Non Technical)
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.
Your Careers Counsellor can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation.

ADF Gap Year
ADF Gap Year participants enlist in the ADF for up to 12 months (with parental consent for those under 18). You have no obligation to serve beyond that initial period of enlistment.
Gap Year participants may also elect to transfer to other full-time ADF career streams during their program year, subject to suitable vacancies and meeting the eligibility requirements of your chosen employment category.
Transferees will be required to meet the normal minimum periods of ADF service, which vary according to the employment category and training undertaken.
Alternatively, Gap Year participants may also transfer to part-time ADF Reserve elements.

Military Training

All General Entry recruits into the Australian Regular Army are required to complete the Recruit Course.
Total Duration: 80 days.
Location: Kapooka, Wagga Wagga, NSW.
When you have completed basic recruit training you will have reached the standard of a basic soldier. You will have developed the qualities and acquired the knowledge, skills and attitudes which are necessary to progress further in the Army.
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 Army, and to give you an idea of what you will be doing on the recruit course.
Further information is also available at the Army Recruit Training Centre Website .
During Military (Initial Recruit) Training and (Initial) Employment Training, members may be required to pay a contribution towards meals, accommodation and utilities.

Employment Training

Operator Ground Based Air Defence Grade One Course: 31 days
Recruit Training is followed by a 31 day Operator Ground Based Air Defence Grade One Course at the School of Artillery at Puckapunyal, Victoria.

Employment Location
The Air Defence Regiment is located at Woodside, approximately 30 minutes from Adelaide, SA.

Civil Accreditation

Other Ranks (Non Technical)

The trade course meets the requirements for both civilian and military authorities and will make you eligible for:

• Certificate II in Government PSP20199: granted to ARA Operator GBAD Grade 2.
• Certificate II in Resource Operations: granted to ARA Operator GBAD Grade 2.
• Certificate III in Government PSP30199: granted to personnel on being assessed as competent as an ARA Bombardier.
• Certificate III in Resource Operations: granted to personnel on being assessed as competent an ARA Bombardier.
• Statement of Attainment towards Certificate IV in Government PSP40199: granted to personnel on being assessed as competent as an ARA

Sergeant.

• Certificate IV in Resource Supervision: granted to personnel on being assessed as competent as an ARA Sergeant.
• Diploma of Government PSP50199: granted to personnel on being assessed as competent as an ARA Warrant Officer.
• Diploma of Resource Management: granted to personnel on being assessed as competent as an ARA Warrant Officer.