Defence

Feature

Life at the Guard

One of the Australian Defence Force’s most dynamic assets, Australia’s Federation Guard is Defence’s only dedicated ceremonial unit with duties encompassing a broad spectrum both within Australia and internationally. Alisha Welch reports.

AFG OC, MAJ Justin Olde, escorts the Queen on parade.
Photos provided by AFG

Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) was raised in 1999 with the objective of covering the ceremonial requirements of the Centenary of Federation and the Sydney Olympic Games.

The Officer Commanding (OC) the AFG, Major (MAJ) Justin Olde, said with many Heads of State visiting Australia as a result of these national events, a Standing Guard was necessary to move from one event to another with ease.

“Though this was the original aim of the AFG, it has now grown into a very effective Australian Defence Force (ADF) public relations asset,” he said.

“The AFG has great potential to be a public relations asset for the ADF. We have a Precision Drill Team that is often asked by Defence Force Recruiting to attend numerous events as a means of attracting people to their stands. In these cases we directly support Defence’s recruiting strategies. Indirectly, at many events – like Canberra’s Skyfire for example – our Precision Drill Team guys often mingle with the public after an event, positively supporting Defence’s public image.”

MAJ Olde said in addition to the direct and indirect public relations role the AFG has adopted since its establishment in 1999, the AFG’s primary role remains providing Defence with a ceremonial capability like no other unit can offer.

Australia’s Federation Guard is a striking visual treat on parade.

“At the beginning of last year we reviewed our mission statement: our mission is to provide a tri-service ceremonial unit that represents and promotes the highest standards, values and qualities of the ADF and Australia.

“The Federation Guard projects the image of the ADF to the Australian public. What we also seem to do a great deal of is provide visiting Heads of State and dignitaries with a first impression of Australians, as a whole, thanks to our presence on the drill square.

“As an example, at the end of last year the President of the Republic of Korea visited Australia, and the first thing he did when he stepped off the plane was review our Guard. So, our young soldiers, sailors and airmen and women were the first ‘real’ Australians he saw during his trip.”

MAJ Olde said that in addition to providing ceremonial support to visiting dignitaries and senior military officers, the AFG had a range of functions including providing guards for the opening of State and Federal Parliaments and the opening of various royal shows in many capital cities, particularly the Royal Easter Show in Sydney.

“In terms of overseas activities, we always send a contingent to Gallipoli on Anzac Day – we have a catafalque party at Lone Pine and Anzac Cove. Also, in Belgium late last year, Australian World War I soldiers were discovered. When the formal recovery of those soldiers occurs, the AFG will most likely provide ceremonial support if tasked.”

MAJ Olde said on the less formal side, the Precision Drill Team travels around Australia to attend public events of significance like the Grand Prix, shows, festivals and career expos.

“Last year we attended more than 200 events both within Australia and overseas,” he said.

Australia’s Federation Guard is a striking visual treat on parade.

The structure of the AFG is broken down into a headquarters element of approximately 10 people – the OC, 2IC and the Guard Sergeant Major are always Army. The remaining positions are tri-service, with Army, Navy and Air Force each having a division of approximately 50 people, each led by an Army Captain, Air Force Flight Lieutenant and Navy Lieutenant.

MAJ Olde said that out of these divisions, appropriately-qualified people are pulled to run the AFG’s Q-store, orderly room, gym and transport cell.

In terms of different types of parades conducted and numbers of soldiers, sailors and airmen and women participating, MAJ Olde said varying events required a broad range of ceremonial activities.

“If a Head of State is visiting, we put on a Royal Guard of 104 personnel,” he said.

“If the person is a Head of Government or a senior military officer, we put a tri-service Half Guard on parade. When British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, recently visited, we had 54 people on parade to honour him.

“If, for example, the American Chief of Army visited, we would put on a single-service Army Half Guard.”

I asked MAJ Olde how competitive selection to the AFG is for soldiers, sailors and airmen and women wanting to become part of this prestigious unit.

“People with poor work performance and a negative discipline history do not get to come here – we need people with excellent service records who present well and are able to liaise with the general public, as well as high ranking dignitaries. If a person lacks confidence, they probably won’t enjoy life at the Guard.

“Like it or not, physical appearance is also important. You have to look fit and healthy because, on many occasions, we are the public face of the ADF. We are a first impression for many people.”

As a member of the AFG, ADF members get to show off their precision drill to widespread audiences.

New people posted into the unit must complete induction training, where they learn how to operate the SLR, which is the weapon used in ceremonial drill rather than the F88 Steyer. Soldiers, sailors and airmen and women must also learn tri-service drill – a challenging prospect for many.

MAJ Olde said being the OC of the AFG was easily the most rewarding job he has had in a lengthy ADF career.

“In the last 12 months I’ve been to Gallipoli and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, I’ve worked with the Queen’s Colour Squadron, Royal Air Force Regiment, and I’ve visited the Marine’s Silent Drill Platoon in Washington DC. I’ve also had the opportunity to escort the Queen and British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, as well as Prime Minister John Howard and the Governor-General on parade numerous times. The Guard is particularly rewarding in terms of getting to travel around the world, visit very interesting places and do very interesting things.

“My aim is to build on this for the whole Guard, so everybody gets a chance to participate in the most interesting activities in the most interesting places.”

Clearly, life at the Federation Guard is one that provides many opportunities not offered in other military units – where else could soldiers, sailors and airmen and women travel in non-operational roles, get to represent all Australians as the face of the ADF and meet dignitaries from all over the globe?

For further information on life at the Guard, contact the Guard Sergeant Major, WO2 Eddie Penman on (02) 6268 9402 or email: edward.penman@defence.gov.au, or the OC, MAJ Justin Olde, on (02) 6268 9401 or email: justin.olde@defence.gov.au.

Alisha Welch is Editor, Defence magazine, Corporate Governance and Renewal Branch, ADHQ.

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