The RACT has many roles to perform. It operates the Army fleet of landing craft and amphibious vessels, all forms of road transport, cargo terminals and special units that prepare, pack and dispatch supplies dropped from the air. Because the RACT tasks are so wide ranging, it is equipped with a large selection of vehicles including motorcycles, Land Rovers, light trucks, 60 tonne semi-trailers, Amphibians and landing craft.

The Marine Specialist is a soldier who operates and performs operator maintenance on Army vessels. A Marine Specialist role is to transport all forms of cargo across the sea, inland water ways and ship to shore operations (LOTS). Postings can include Land Comd, Specialist Forces and Norforce.

Duties

In addition to the basic driving, servicing and recovery duties performed as an ECN 109 DVR, the ECN 218-1 Marine Specialist (MS1) is required to:

• Assist with the operation, maintenance and navigation of amphibians and small craft in rivers, harbours, coastal passages and during ship to shore operations.
• Load, stow and discharge cargo and guide MHE.
• Communicate on military and civilian radio networks.
• Assist with the briefing and control of passengers.
• Compile craft documentation for amphibians / water-craft.
• Operate and maintain water-craft defence weapons.
• Report amphibians / water-craft defects and damage.
• Assist with the recovery of stranded or disabled amphibians/watercraft.
• Operate watercraft ancillary equipment.
• Undertake safety drills.
• Understand International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDGC) with regard to loading of all types of Military watercraft.
• Operate amphibians in on-road and off-road environments.

Employment Training

Drivers Course: 42 Days ECN 109 Drivers Course (Course Grants C2 and MR2) at the Army Logistic Training Centre, Road Transport Wing , Puckapunyal, Victoria.

Basic Marine Specialist Course: 6 Weeks (32 Working Days) at the Army Logistic Training Centre Maritime Wing at Ross Island, Townsville QLD.

Note: On successful completion of the Marine Specialist 1 Course, a soldier will be granted ECN 218-1 to be employed on watercraft as a Deckhand.

Employment Location

Marine Specialists may be employed in Townsville, Sydney, Perth and Darwin.

Pay

The pay levels for this employment are:

• Marine Specialist Grade 1 PTE-LCPL ECN 218-1 Pay Group 3.
• Marine Specialist Grade 2 PTE-CPL ECN 218-2 Pay Group 4.
• Supervisor Marine CPL-WO2 ECN 218-3 Pay Group 4.
• Supervisor Marine WO1 ECN 218-3 Pay Group 2.

Civil Accreditation

This category's courses meet the requirements for both civilian and military authorities and will make you eligible for:

• Certificate I in Transport and Distribution (Maritime Operations) is granted to personnel on being assessed as competent as an ARA PTE .
• Certificate III in Transport and Distribution (Road Transport) is granted to personnel on successful completion of the ECN 109 Drivers Course.
• Certificate III in Transport and Distribution (Maritime Operations) is granted to personnel that successfully complete the Marine Specialist 2 Course and on being assessed as competent as an ARA Lance Corporal and appointed to Coxswain.
• Certificate IV in Transport and Distribution (Maritime Operations) is granted to personnel on being assessed competent as an ARA SGT.
• Diploma of Logistics Management is granted to personnel on being assessed as competent as an ARA WO2 .

Further Information

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