Headquarters 8th Brigade

8th Brigade's Role

Role of the 8th Brigade

'The role of the 8th Brigade is to provide rotation force elements and individual soldiers to the Army's Ready Deployment Force (RDF), when required, in order to sustain an effective contribution to future Australian Defence Force Operations.'

Source: 8th Brigade Training Directive

8th Brigade Sub-Unit's Role

To achieve the Brigade's role, each of the Brigade's sub-units train its soldiers in basic military and specialist Corps related skills. As a part-time Army formation, most units in the Brigade parade weekly (Tues nights), train one weekend a month and conduct a 2 week annual Combined Arms Training Exercise (CATA). Above and beyond this, specialist training and promotion courses are run throughout the year to further develop individuals within these units.

Headquarters Staff Role

The role of the 8th Brigade Headquarters (HQ) staff is to plan for and direct the Brigade's training so that the Brigade's role is achieved within the required timeframe. To achieve this, HQ 8th Brigade relies upon its Full-time and Part-time Headquarters personnel. Some of the officers and soldiers at HQ 8th Brigade are grouped into various 'Cells' that undertake specific planning and co-ordination roles within the Brigade whereas others fulfil individual specialist roles. These include:

Pers/Log Cell
Responsible for Personnel and Logistics, this cell primarily supports the Brigade's recruiting, administration and supply activities so that the personnel and equipment resourcing of the units is maintained at a level to support current and future operations.

Intelligence Cell
The Int Cell gathers information for current Brigade Operations and is responsible for co-ordinating the flow of intelligence through Brigade Units. Annually the Int Cell provides the 'enemy' component of the Brigade CPXs and TEWTs and undertakes training of the Sub-Unit's Intelligence personnel.

Operations Cell
Responsible for the overall conduct of Brigade Operations, the Ops Cell co-ordinates Brigade activities and is responsible for running the Brigade Operations Command Post which co-ordinates the activitie of Brigade Sub-Units.

Planning Cell
The Planning Cell is responsble for conducting planning for future operations. It generally undertakes this role during current operations so that the Brigade can begin the staff planning process for anticipated or forecast future operations.

Liaison Officer
The Liaison Officer is responsible for liaising with Flanking Units such as 5th Brigade (based in Southern NSW) and other units within the 2nd Division (Army Reserve) and the other Army units or formations.

Legal Officer
This Legal Officer is a specialist Legal Corps Officer who provides legal advisory support to the Brigade in matters of Defence and Civil law issues which arise from time to time within the Brigade.

Public Relations Officer
Responsible for Media Liaison, this person is the Brigade's official spokesperson on military activities and is the first point of call for external media organisations.

Top