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Guard’s
drums on a different beat
Life
at Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) is far from the ‘break’
ashore I expected. Since I joined the Guard just on three months
ago, we have been non-stop.
The Guard performs in the vicinity of 100 parades a year. I have
found it an ideal posting for those who want to keep fit, maybe
change category, need a holding ground, or just need to get ashore
for a while and work a normal day.
We are a tri-service unit based in Canberra at the Australian Defence
Force Academy. The Guard comprises equal numbers of Navy, Army and
Air Force personnel.
In total 158 Service men and women form the Guard — the first
unit in Australia’s military history that has been formed exclusively
for ceremonial duties.
AFG participates in the ceremonial welcoming of foreign dignitaries
to Australia and provides ceremonial support for Australian civil
and military events at home and abroad.
This year alone, some of our parades have included the arrival and
departure of the Queen in Adelaide and Brisbane and the State Funeral
of the last ANZAC, Alec Campbell in Tasmania.
We have paraded in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, Temora and Canowindra,
to name a few.
The Guard’s overseas ceremonial activities have included the
Anniversary of the Fall of Singapore ceremony — in Singapore,
Battle of Kokoda commemoration in Isurava, PNG; ANZAC Day services
in both Gallipoli and France and commemorative services in South
Africa and Belgium at the Menin Gate.
In addition to (Navy) PT three times a week, we conduct two dedicated
adventure training weeks per year, plus we have recently abseiled
off Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Leadership opportunities for Leading Seaman exist through challenging
adventure-training activities and the management of a section of
up to nine sailors, within the Navy Division of the Guard.
Not bad for a group of sailors who are ashore. There is also dedicated
time to conduct single service training and brush up for when we
have single service parades.
If anyone would like additional information about the Guard feel
free to check out our website: http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/afg.
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