Photo illustration by Cpl Belinda Mepham, Army newspaper. Model is LCpl Ian Mason, AFG

Green skingraft
Direct recruiting of commandos to begin

By Capt Jason Logue
SPECIAL Operations Command has launched a new initiative designed to rapidly fill almost 200 vacancies within its ranks.

The Special Forces Direct Recruiting Scheme (SFDRS) is designed to draw young, fit and educated males from civilian life to service within SOCOMD units.

SOCAUST Maj-Gen Duncan Lewis said the recruiting program would work in conjunction with the more familiar route of currently serving ADF members volunteering for service in Special Forces.

"It is based on a program that has recently proved very successful in the United States," Maj-Gen Lewis said.

"In essence we are augmenting our current arrangements to provide a larger pool of applicants for service within Special Forces."

He said the current in-service lateral recruitment program was providing SOCOMD with quality personnel but the ADF's recent high operational tempo was taking its toll on the number of soldiers applying for entry.

"We get the very best ADF personnel in SOCOMD and this scheme is about adding to that quality mix.

"Unfortunately SOCOMD's development means we need more high-quality applicants and we need them now."

"Therefore we have had to widen the pool of potential applicants through the introduction of the SFDRS."

The scheme hopes to attract enough applicants to fill the vacancies, mostly in the Holsworthy-based commando battalion, 4RAR(Cdo), by the end of next year.

The SFDRS targets young males of exceptional fitness and intelligence who may not have considered service in the wider ADF.

"We're hoping to attract people with drive, determination and high levels of intelligence who see service in Special Forces as the ultimate challenge.

"We can promise them a high-intensity lifestyle, great training and best of all, the chance to work within a group of like-minded and dedicated professionals.

Maj-Gen Lewis said the overwhelming majority of reinforcements coming to SOCOMD would still come from those serving in the army and the wider ADF.

Successful SFDRS applicants will attend recruit and initial employment training as a group and then begin an eight-week accelerated training program to prepare them for the rigours of Special Forces training.

At the completion of the accelerated training program applicants must complete the Special Forces Entry Test before entering their special operations training.

"We are primarily looking to recruit commandos and Special Forces signallers for service at 4RAR(Cdo) but we are also seeking a few high-grade applicants for service in SASR," Maj-Gen Lewis said.

He said it was likely only a few trainees would posses the skills and drive to succeed on SASR selection immediately.

"If we think they have what it takes we'll offer them a chance at SASR selection but I would see most consolidating skills at 4RAR(Cdo) and attempting selection a couple of years down the track."

Soldiers enlisted through the scheme who fail to immediately meet the requirements of the Special Forces Entry Test will be offered other positions within SOCOMD units and the option to reattempt the test at a later date.

All SFDRS applicants will be required to meet the same exacting standards as those soldiers joining SOCOMD through traditional methods.

"The issue of maintaining standards is not negotiable," Maj-Gen Lewis said.

"Instead we're trying a different approach to find more people who will meet those standards and offering them a chance of a lifetime in return.

"They'll have the opportunity to make a direct contribution towards Australia's security and the safety of the Australian population.

"They only need to walk into Defence Recruiting, dial 13 19 01 or log onto www.defencejobs.gov.au and indicate they want to be in Special Forces to get started."

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