Badge of distinction

Corporals Pete Hohn, Rebecca Shadwick and Jason Pike after being officially presented with new MSI badges. Photo by CPL Jeremy Patten

QUALIFIED Air Force members can now wear a new Military Skills Instructor (MSI) badge that recognises their skills in human resource management and drill, ceremonial, weapons and ground defence training.

MSIs, regardless of whether they are posted to a training unit, support element or operational squadron, have the skills and experience to enhance the capability of their unit by delivering military training to both officers and airmen/airwomen. The MSI badge was designed to make this capability easily recognisable and more effectively used by commanders in the field.

Commandant of RAAF College Group Captain Keith Brackenbury and No. 1 Recruit Training Unit Commanding Officer Wing Commander Geoff Dittmar officially presented the first badges to MSIs at RAAF Base Edinburgh on October 21 following a three-year approval process. The pewter badge is worn to the left of the operational readiness badge.

GPCAPT Brackenbury said the badge identified the unique skills and experience held by MSIs and would provide recognition for their loyalty, professionalism and dedication.

“In the same way that an ORB easily identifies personnel who are ready for deployment, the MSI badge identifies personnel who are qualified to fulfil a training role within whichever unit they are posted to. Having a qualified MSI on staff gives the commanding officer enormous flexibility to conduct ground defence and weapons training in house, instead of needing to rely exclusively on base resources,” GPCAPT Brackenbury said.

To qualify for the MSI badge, members must have completed the instructional technique course, weapon instructor course, GSI or MSI course and core military ground skills instructor course. A standard application containing certified copies of certificates and a synopsis of the subjects covered should be submitted to CO 1RTU. For more information refer to DI (AF) OPS 2-5 or contact Flight Lieutenant Steve Archer at 1RTU on (08) 839 32428.

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