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Australian Defence Force troops are steadily advancing towards an August graduation under the new condensed officer training program at Royal Military College - Duntroon.
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Under the new approach, the officer commissioning program is being trialled over 12 months rather than 18 months, from January to December 2024. Under the two-year trial program, trainees receive the same training in a shorter format, meet the same graduation standards and qualifications, and graduate as lieutenants on completion of the course.
Commandant Land Combat College Brigadier Jason Groat said Australian Defence Force trainee officers are undertaking final modules before graduating in August.
“The first group of Staff Cadets to undertake the Foundation Warfighting module has been completed. The module culminated with an extensive field exercise at Puckapunyal,” he said.
“During the field exercise, Staff Cadets integrated with the School of Armour, School of Artillery and Army School of Transport to experience and better understand the Combined Arms Fighting System. This involved Staff Cadets conducting attacks with the Mechanised Regimental Officer Course.
“The preparation for this phase started in the classroom. In the learning environment, Staff Cadets develop their understanding and application of tactical actions. This involved developing and refining their understanding of tactical actions in theory and application at Duntroon before putting them to the test during the field phase.
“Both the learning and practical phase of Foundation Warfighting enhanced their resilience and demonstrated their ability to survive and thrive in a field environment for extended periods. Conducting stability operations at Puckapunyal – inclusive of force on force – was extremely beneficial, and I’m encouraged by the cadets’ skills and resilience.
“My direction to the team has been to develop combat behaviours at every opportunity. Initial evaluations support additional time to develop these behaviours during the Foundation Warfighting module.
“I Class Staff Cadets are undertaking their final module – Foundation Command – prior to graduating in August. II Class has commenced the Foundation Military Planning Module.”
Royal Military College - Duntroon originally began trialling the condensed 12-month program earlier this year instead of a traditional 18-month format in a bid to educate trainees to the same standards quicker.
The program design presents an opportunity to increase the speed to capability for service category (SERCAT) 7 generalist officers and inform a training design to benefit other SERCAT and training audiences.
Additionally, earlier this year, the Australian Defence Force engaged support for the ServeOn program for already employed military personnel to remain connected with Australian Army and embrace semi-retirement in a flexible role.
