A MODIFIED Sub-1 for Sergeant Course specifically for ARA Recruit Instructors posted to ARTC has been trialled.
The course was held for selected recruit instructors posted to Kapooka. If the trial is assessed as a success, then the course might become part of Training Command’s annual schedule.
WO1 Michael Carley, LWC-Queensland Training and Development Officer, said the course would reduce the instructor’s time away from 1RTB.
“The course provides the incentive for recruit instructors so when they leave 1RTB they will come away with a subject one for sergeant qualification,” WO1 Carley said.
“It acknowledges the skills and knowledge that the recruit instructors have developed through their role, and acknowledges some of the content of the Recruit Instructor Development Course.”
The trial course consisted of two components.
The first was a non-residential phase where students were trained and assessed by 1RTB staff who maintained a portfolio of evidence that demonstrated the assessment criteria has been met.
Some of the competencies covered were leadership, service law, drill, workplace safety and procedures, and planning training programs.
“We have a recognition process and that sets the students for the residential phase where they complete same package as the standard Sub-1 for Sergeant Course,” WO1 Carley said.
“With an increase in 1RTB’s workload we have split the residential phase into two so we only take 15 instructors out of the unit at a time.”
The second component included a residential phase, which began on September 2, and was conducted as a nine-day exercise in WA. This phase focused mainly on operations aspects such as leadership, platoon defensive and offensive operations and platoon security.
Students who complete this course would not have to do the standard Sub-1 for Sergeant Course. WO1 Carley said the course was not intended for everyone at ARTC.
“To qualify for the course students must have completed the Recruit Instructor Development Course and be employed as a recruit instructor at ARTC,” WO1 Carley said.
The development of this course certainly provides an incentive for junior non-commissioned officers to be posted to Training Command as Recruit Instructors because such a posting will enhance their career development.
