SCdt McDonald gets down under the low wire at Bindoon training range during the first module of the Part-Time General Officer First Appointment Course, held in February. Photos by Cpl Tracy Tillman, WAUR Staff cadets undergo bayonet training at Bindoon Training Range, Western Australia.

Summer jobs for future bosses




By Cpl Tracy Tillman
When most people were enjoying a more leisurely summer break, 60 newly-appointed staff cadets were taking their first steps to becoming future leaders in the Army Reserve.

WAUR kicked off the first phase of officer training on January 10.

The cadets commenced their training with the first module (MOD IIIA) of the Part Time General Service Officer First Appointment Course (PT GSO FAC).

Just one of eight modules that must be completed before graduation, it aims at preparing cadets to become effective part-time team members within a military environment.

This will take cadets between 15 months and three years to complete, before graduation as a second lieutenant.

Training and courses are all part of a nation-wide modularised curriculum, that allows participants to plan the training objectives around their work or study schedules.

Course co-ordinator Sgt Rod Walker, WAUR, said that despite the heat and demanding tempo, both participants and staff consistently managed to produce good results.

The officer-training courses draw on the support, skills and expertise of instructors from all over Australia.

The result is that the cadets benefit from a wealth of knowledge and experience.

"On this course we witnessed excellent teamwork between the staff from many different units within the formation," Sgt Walker said.

"There was an excellent blend of complimentary skills and shared information."

For most of the cadets it will be at least another 14 months before they see the results of their efforts with their graduation parade at RMC.

For the instructors it is an on-going process and investment, as they must ensure that the quality of training is there to produce good officers.

After all, one day they could be your boss.