By Cpl Damian Shovell

THE MUTUAL obligations between instructors and trainees will be reinforced with new Training Command - Army (TC-A) Instructor and Trainee Behavioural Codes, that both officer and soldier training establishments will introduce during their 2005 induction programs.

Developed by TC-A, in conjunction with the Inspectorate of Training (IOT), the codes are the latest initiatives from the Safety and Welfare of Trainees Campaign Plan. Head IOT Lt-Col Craig Burn said the codes outlined the principles of good leadership and soldiering.

They were a measure by which instructors and trainees could conduct and assess themselves and would apply universally across Training Command.

To facilitate discussion, the codes will be presented to instructors in conjunction with a video entitled TC-A Instructors: Leaders and Mentors – How do you measure up?

“The video is introduced by the Chief of Army.

It was developed by the IOT and has been distributed during December and January.

Its purpose is to assist chief instructors and RSMs to work through the issues associated with the instructors’ code during induction sessions,” Lt-Col Burn said. He said the instructors’ code was a guide based on good leadership and sound behavioural principles, linked back to the Army values of courage, initiative and teamwork.

It outlines the TC-A instructors commitment to trainees, and states their responsibility to:

• lead, teach and mentor;
• be firm, fair and consistent;
• respect their trainees;
• display integrity and earn their trainees’ respect;
• encourage initiative;
• be approachable; and
• build values of loyalty and selfless service to the team and to the nation.
  
  Importantly, the obligation of trainees to instructors is also addressed.
  
  “The trainees’ code is designed to help those newly arrived in the Army confront their two biggest challenges; learning the many things they are being taught, and at the same time adjusting from their civilian life to accepting the many demands of service life,” Lt-Col Burn said.
  
  The trainees’ code clearly lays out Army’s expectations with respect to trainees’ values, character and commitment.
  
  Ultimately, the code should assist trainees to confront the many challenges that they will meet during training and throughout their military career.”
  
  Lt-Col Burn said the most fundamental obligation for trainees was personal commitment to accepting and dealing with the challenge at hand.
  
  Specifically the code asks new trainees to:
  
  
• embrace the inherent requirements of ADF service (see DI(G) Pers 36-3);
• accept personal responsibility for what they do and say;
• embrace the Army’s values as their own
• develop their personal qualities;
• look, listen, learn and take notes;
• be critical of themselves and hone self-discipline;
• be a dedicated and useful member of their team;
• maintain a positive attitude towards learning;
• seek and accept assistance; and strive to lead.
  
  Lt-Col Burn stressed that the codes would also be introduced to instructors who were periodically attached from Land Command units or the other services.
  
  This would support their orientation to TCA instructor/trainee interaction, behaviour and leadership obligations.
• Both codes can be viewed under Commander’s words at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/sites/HQTCA/

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