| Army Reserve |
Careers |
This FAQ page includes answers to many of the questions you may have about joining the Army Reserve - what the job requirements are, what the training involves, what benefits you can expect to get for joining the Army Reserve.
To assist you, these questions and answers have been divided into the following areas.
If you have any further questions, please contact your nearest Army Reserve depot or e-mail the 8 Brigade Recruiting Officer:
| Job Questions |
Can I transfer
to the Regular Army?
Yes. All training conducted is common. This means that, as a Reservist, you receive the same training as a regular soldier. You can assess the Army lifestyle as a reservist prior to making a decision to join the regular Army.
Can I use my Civiilian Qualifications for Army employment?
Yes. Certain positions in the Army Reserve are open to qualified professionals such as Doctors, Lawyers, Accountants and Psychologists etc. Speak to one of our Unit Recruiting Officers further if you are interested in becoming a direct entry specialist.
Can I use my Army Qualifications for civilian employment?
Yes. As Army Reserve service develops your leadership, management and technical skills, many of the promotional and training course you undertake certify certain skills that are transferable and recognised in the Civilian workforce. For more information on the ability to transfer your military qualifications, goto: http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/civilquals/
Does the Army employ females?
Yes. Females are employed in nearly every facet of the army's field of operations and play an integral role in the daily operations of units within Australian and international theatres. There are however some limitations as to employment within the designated front-line Combat Units (i.e. Infantry and Armour units). For example women cannot currently undertake training as soldiers in Infantry Units and or Armoured Personell Drivers/Crewmen in Armoured units. However, in these units there are many other position open to them to be employed.
How long do I sign up for?
Unlike the Regular Army, there is no fixed service requirement (or 'return of service obligation') if you join the Army Reserve. If you wish to discharge from the Army, you are only requried to give 3 months notice. Depending on how quickly you fill out the paperwork and return your equipment, you will not be required to parade during that last 3 months. If you are thinking of joining the Regular Army but are not sure that you want to commit that long, joining the Army Reserve is a great way to 'try out' military service to see if you are interested in making a fuller commitment.
Will I lose my job because of my commitment to the Reserve?
No. There is legislation in place to protect you from discrimination or dismissal by your employer. Addtionally, recently the Government has launched the Employer Support Payments (ESP) Scheme whereby your employer will receive around $810 per week to release you to attend continuous Army Reserve training. For more infomation on these reforms, goto: http://www.defence.gov.au/reserves/ESP/ESP.htm
How do I join up?
To join up either call and arrange a time to visit the Recruiting officer at your nearest Army unit (see Brigade Units for their locations) or contact the 8 Bde Recruiting Officer (see Contacts) or call the Army Reserve Info line on 13 19 02.
After you come into recruiting and talk to the recruiting staff, you will be required to undertake a Selection Day at which you will sit a series of apptitude tests, undertake a medical examination and be interviewed by a psychologist. Once you have completed this you wil be advised whether you have been accepted to join the Army Reserve and be pannelled to attend a recruit course.
What happens
after I sign up?
After enlisting, you will attned the Common Recruit Training (CRT) course at Kapooka in Southern NSW. The recruit course runs for 6 weeks (though this can broked up into 2 modules if need be).
For further details,
click on the link to read the Joining
Instruction for recruit course.
On completion of the CRT you will be promoted to Private and begin parading at your unit. You can then go straight on to your Initial Employment Training (IET) to learn the skills required of your corps (i.e. Infantryman, APC crewman, Gun Number etc), or do it later.
| Training Questions |
When am I required to attend training in my new Unit?
During or immediately following the completion of your Common Recruit Training (CRT) course, you will receive a copy of your unit's Parade Card. The Parade Card contains the unit's parade nights, training weekend and Annual training exercise timings for the coming 12 months. Addtionally, most units will usually be able to tell you when the annual 2 week training exercise is forecast for the following year. This way you will know well in advance
What happens if I can't attend training?
Just like with your civilian employer, if you cannot attend a training event for whatever reason you can apply for Leave. As you do not accrue 'annual leave' in the normal sense, you will need to provide a reason for not attending the scheduled training as the Army Reserve expects you will commit to the dates included in the parade card. Obviously University or TAFE exams, family events and holidays will conflict with the weekly training requirements and this will be sufficient enough reason for leave to be granted by your commander.
What training do I receive in the Army?
Irrespecitve of which Unit you decide to join, all Army soldiers first attend Common Recruit Training (CRT) over 6 weeks at 1 Recruit Training Battalion, Kappoka near Wagga, NSW. During this period you will learn first aid, navigation, bushcraft and weapons skills. Following completion of CRT you will undergo Initital Employment Training (IET) which differs depending upon which Corps/Unit you enlisted into. Common to these however, are leadership training and infantry minor tactics skills that are tailored to your Unit/Corp requirements. Beyond this initial training, you will have the opportunity to undertake promotion (leadership and mangement) and specialist training (i.e. as a driver, storeman, signaller, medic etc) which will futher enhance your skills.
Where is training conducted?
Generally training is conducted at your local Depot of a Tuesday night whereas weekend and annual training is usually conducted collectively at one of the Army's many training areas in NSW or Australia. Units in the 8th Brigade train in Singleton, Holsworthy, Piliga, Armidale, Shoal Water Bay (Port Stephens) and at various other training establishments. Units provide transport from local depots to these training areas.
What happens if I get injured while training?
Injuries sustained whilst on Duty as an Army Reservist are covered under Defence compensation and rehabilitation schemes. Apart from the free medical treatment (see below) that you will receive initially for the injury, ongoing physiotheraphy and medical costs relating to that injury will be covered under the scheme.
What is the minimum and maximum training commitment?
Generally you are expected to do as a minimum 30 days of military training per year. This is easy to achieve as each year you will do a 2 week annual training exercise (16 days), around 8 -10 training weekends (2 days each) and regular parade nights (usu. 1/3 to a 1/2 day each parade).
The maximum training a Reservist can do is 70 days a year (though this can be extended to 100 days due to your specialist skills, unit needs or because your attendance at promotion or specialist training courses requires you exceed the standard limit).
| Pay & Allowance Questions |
Does Army Pay affect other Government Benefits I recieve?
No. Even if you are receiving AUSTUDY, rental assitance or any other Governmental allowances, your Army Reserve pay will not affect your entitlements to these as Reserve pay is not counted as income for eligibility purposes.
When does my pay increase?
After an initial increase in your pay following the completion of the Common Recruit Training Course, your pay level will increase depending on the time you have spent in the Reserves and once you complete your promotion or specialist training courses.
When do I get paid?
Most of the time you will recieve your Army Reserve pay on a monthly basis soon after month end. However, when you attend at 2 week training course, your pay will usually be in your accounts within a few days of completing the course. Unlike daily pa, some allowances are paid during, shortly after or sometime after completing the military training it relates to. Generally your parade attendance allowances are paid monthly with your parade and weekend pay whereas field allowances may not be received until sometime after the completion of the field training phase.
How do I find if I am entitled to any allowances?
Generally these allowances
are automatically paid to you as part of parading and attending
exercises, promotion or training courses. If in doubt, you can
speak to your unit's Chief Clerk or Pay Clerk who are fully versed
in the entitlements to these allowances.
Does the Army provide Medical or Dental Benefits?
While on duty you are entitled to free dental and medical treatment. Currently as part of your AIRN (Army Individual Readiness Notice) checks, you will receive free Medical and Dental examinations (generally bi-annually).
This also means you are able to claim a Medicare Levy Rebate on your tax return for the number of days you serve in the Reserves. (E.g if you serve 70 days your Medicare Levy of 1.5% is reduced by 19% (70/365=19%) so that effectively you only pay a 1.2% medicare Levy).