Introduction to 51 FNQR

51 FNQR is a direct command unit of Land Headquarters (based in Sydney) and organised along the lines of a regular light infantry battalion. The Battalion consists of a Battalion Headquarters (Cairns), four surveillance companies, an Operations Support company (Administration Company equivalent and based in Cairns) and a Training Company (Cairns). The surveillance company headquarters are located in Cairns (A Company), Weipa (B Company), Thursday Island (C Company) and Mt Isa (D Company). Operations Support Company and Training Company support each company for ongoing training and operational commitments. The Battalion is responsible for conducting its own training and adopts a 'Cradle to Grave' approach to training its officers and soldiers. The Battalion conducts all courses from recruit/patrolman up to the many command and specialty competencies required to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance tasks. This is an area where the FT members also play such a critical role. It is not uncommon for PT soldiers to spend their entire Army career in 51 FNQR, conducting all courses and patrols in their local and neighbouring areas.

The Battalion's main capability lies in its patrols, which in just about all cases are manned by highly trained and motivated GRES soldiers. Each patrol consists of six men, cross-trained in a number of specialities including command, communications, surveillance, reconnaissance, combat medical, combat vehicle and small craft tactical operations. The patrols are all highly mobile and interoperable, trained to operate in a combined and joint environment with RAN, Army and RAAF assets. This capability enables patrols to be inserted/extracted by RAN Patrol Boats and coastal vessels, Army aviation and coastal vessels and RAAF C-130 and Caribou.

Each patrol is also capable of self-deploying by tactical vehicle and small craft. RFSUs are equipped with the Regional Force Surveillance Vehicle (RFSV), which is a specially modified model of the current in-service GS Land Rover 110 designed to operate over the vast distances and tough terrain of the Cape and Gulf Country. The Battalion's small craft fleet comprises of 4.4m and 3.8m dinghies to allow patrols the ability to conduct riverine and coastal operations necessitating access to the many rivers and estuaries along the coastline of far north Queensland and the Gulf Country.

Patrols are equipped with the latest surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities available in the ADF including, image capturing equipment, night fighting equipment (NINOX), communications data transfer and the latest individual load ensemble for today's infantry soldier. By necessity RFSU soldiers are lightly armed, but the surveillance and communications equipment is first rate, including long distance communication equipment and the range of enhanced optics and image capture systems for use during both day and night. This allows text and high quality images to be quickly transmitted to Battalion Headquarters, for use by the military geographic information section to provide a huge database of information on the AR.

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Recruiting

Regional Force Surveillance Units (RFSU) operate in remote areas of northern
Australia. Population size and dispersion within these regions dictates that special consideration should be given to those personnel who do not meet normal Army Reserve (ARES) conditions of entry and service, but who are otherwise suitable for service within an RFSU. Recruiting personnel to these units takes considerable time, much coordination and can prove to be very expensive. Practical circumstances resulting from isolation and indigenous cultural issues also dictate that RFSU members must participate in the recruiting process to a greater degree than other ADF units.

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Avenues of Entry

There are three avenues of entry into 51 FNQR, namely General Reserve
(GRES), Regional Force Surveillance List (RFSL) and Local Observer Element (LOE). The following paragraphs will detail the avenues of entry and the requirements for entry.

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Requirements for Entry

GRES (CIT/RFSU)

Personnel applying for GRES entry will be subject to the same policy/entry requirements as any other GRES applicant throughout the ARES. To be eligible for this category the criteria is as follows:

a. be an Australian citizen (or be eligible to become one ie. permanent resident for 2 years) between the ages 17 – 50;

b. agree to undergo a security clearance and civil records check;

c. under go an enlistment medical and be classified Class One;

d. undergo psychological testing/assessment;

e. undergo Recruiting Officer (RO) assessment;

f. meet the requirement of the ARA/ARES Pre-enlistment Fitness Assessment (PFA);

g. undergo a dental check as soon as practicable after being enlisted in accordance with DI(A) PERS 57-1 – Dental Examination and Treatment of members.

RFSL

To be eligible for this category the criteria is as follows:

a. be an Australian citizen (or be eligible to become one ie. permanent resident for 2 years) between the ages of 17 – 50;

b. agree to undergo a security clearance and civil records check;

c. undergo an enlistment medical. If an enlistee does not meet the enlistment requirements due to minor medical problems, and their enlistment is in the interests of the unit, the CO in consultation with the assessing RMO may grant a medical waiver.

d. undergo psychological testing/assessment, the information from which should be used at the CO's discretion;

e. meet the requirements of the RFSL fitness assessment for potential recruits as determined by the RFSU CO; and

f. undergo a dental check, as soon as practicable, after being enlisted in accordance with DE(A) PERS 57-1-Dental Examination and Treatment of Members.

LOE

To be eligible for this category the criteria is as follows:

a. be an Australian citizen;

b. required to be a minimum age of 17 years. Retiring age is 55 years, however, where a service requirement exists, the CO RFSU may recommend, and APA approve, an extension;

b. agree to undergo a security clearance and civil records check;

c. undergo an enlistment medical in accordance with current instructions (the CO may waive minor medical problems of an enlistee if it is in the interest of the unit to employ them). The purpose of this medical is to ascertain the medical condition of the applicant in order to prevent later claim for compensation or invalidity, it is not to ‘pass' an enlistment medical;

d. undergo psychological assessment as deemed necessary by the CO; and

e. be considered suitable for employment as a local observer by the CO.

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Processing

Due to the special nature of RFSUs, processing of potential recruits can be a
difficult task, with many requirements to be considered. The RFSU CO has flexibility to consider and approve members for enlistment into the RFSL or LOE if they do not meet the criteria for the GRES.

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Training

All 51 FNQR recruits complete Common Induction Training or an RFSU Induction Course. Members of the Surveillance Companies then attend the Basic Patrolman Course. Soldiers from Op Spt Company and Battalion Headquarters complete Initial Employment Training (IET) specific to their trades.

Upon successful completion of the RFSU Basic Patrolman Course, or trade specific IET, 51 FNQR soldiers may then participate in patrols and attend specialist-training courses such as;

  • RFSU Small Craft Handlers
  • RFSU Patrol Drivers,
  • RFSU Patrol Signaller,
  • RFSU Combat First Aid,
  • RFSU Patrol 21C and
  • RFSU Patrol Commander.
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Transfers/Postings

51 FNQR GRES soldiers are governed by similar rules, policies and regulations as the remainder of the GRES. There are however some transfer policies peculiar to RFSU's. For all posting or transfer information, ARA and GRES members should contact their Unit Orderly Room.

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Recruiting Overview

Attached is a MS Power Point presentation outlining 51 FNQR recruiting processes. For further information regarding service with the 51st Battalion, contact the ADJT or the Unit Recruiting Cell on (07) 4045 9383.

51 FNQR Recruiting Brief (PPT)