Full-time fast track for reserve commandos

An SFDRS soldier takes cover behind a bunker during a live fire platoon attack at the culmination of the first SFDRS platoon’s training at SFTC. Photo by Cpl Sean Burton, SOComd

By Capt Jim Wackett

THIRTY-eight soldiers have been awarded their commando berets after completing a four-month continuous training course as the unit’s Simpson Platoon.

CO 1 Cdo Regt Lt Col Anthony John said that Simpson Platoon’s success is indicative, not only of the quality of the candidates, but of the experience and dedication of those responsible for the training.

“This parade demonstrates the incredible success of the new training approach,” he said.

“This is the largest number of soldiers to be awarded their berets at one time in more than a decade.”

The platoon brings together reserve recruits who are able to undertake a challenging period of continuous training to qualify as commandos in four months, rather than part-time training over two or more years.

As a cohort group, the soldiers completed their six-week recruit training at ARTC, Kapooka, followed by a four-week infantry IET course and finally a two-week Advanced Infantry Training continuum – which qualifies them as trained infantry soldiers – all conducted at Holsworthy Barracks.

The soldiers then went on to complete the Special Forces Entry Test and the Reserve Commando Training Course. Completion of this demanding regime also qualified the soldiers as High Readiness Reserves within the Commando Reserve Response Force.

The soldiers will now go on to complete a range of specialist commando courses, such as parachuting, amphibious operations, roping and rappelling, urban operations, demolitions, signals and patrol medic.

More than 80 reserve soldiers from 1 Cdo Regt commenced training with Simpson Platoon. Only 38 completed the intense training course. Most of those who did not make it this year vowed that they would be back for Simpson 2005.

Selection for Simpson Platoon 2005 is currently underway, with the intake occurring in December this year. For further information contact 1 Cdo Regt on 1800 041 278.

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