Journal
Friday,Sep 4 2009, 02:10:52 AMEarmarked for Sapper selection after ARTC
My next preliminary tests for DFRS is my psych test and my physical including a medical and fitness test. There are four classifications for medical fitness assessment which I feel I will be able to pass quite easily.
My criminal records and ASIO clearances have to be bureaucratically processed and finally determined by the interviewing panel within the ADF DFRS.
The BFA tests is the shuttle run test, if I pass this, then the enlistment process will be finalised and a military career offer and an appointment package will then be issued.
So far, SFTC has declined my application stating that only current serving members may apply, including lateral selection considerations from overseas military services, ie, NZSAS, British SAS, US Navy SEALS etc.
As a consequence of the initial tests, including my IQ test, I was offered a regular army recruitment offer, with an earmarked ARA 'Combat Engineer' career offer being considered negotiable prior to enlistment and deployment to ARTC.
I have been offered selection as a combat engineer or in layman terms as a "Sapper", within the Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) as part of my ARA IET. In order to be considered favourably by the interviewing panel I have to demonstrate some knowledge of the combat engineer package. I have previewed the Initial Employment Training (IET) schedule which runs for 71 days and contains four phases of military instructions. This encompases a level of civil engineering as well as military training in their syllabus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWuk1XqCh8w
Overall, the Sappers are reputedly the brains trust of the Australian Army, they are the 'constructive' component of the Army.
The crucial role of the Sapper is to construct buildings, military Forward Operations Bases (FOB) eg, Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, in conflict zones, combat Team barracks, bases and perimeter defences. As well as assisting in constructing infrastructure for various deployment areas, namely in reconstruction of war ravaged countries or natural disaster areas. Some of the Sappers job description in civilian life is to assist in developing community areas such as Aboriginal communities ravaged with anarchic disharmony with alcoholism related violence and abuse.
The Royal Australian Engineers (RAE), 3rd CER and 1st CER, are currently deployed in operation RTF 4, 2009, in Afghanistan, helping with reconstruction of the Afghanistan infrastructures, ie, Oruzgon Province, and Helmund province, in Afghanistan, as well as, mentoring the Afghanistan Nationaly Army (ANA).
The 'Sappers' now also have an 'out of the wire' component units, supporting SASR and 4th RAR (Commando Regiment), which have now become a fully instituted functional unit, the Incidence Response Regiment (IRR), which is now divided into two mainstay squads, the Alpha Squadron and Bravo Squadren. These combat engineers are able to offer infantry combat units with equal fire power support as well as offering to construct bases, perimeter defence positions, and check points, for Australian infantry units.
I am scheduled for my final assessment before enlistment on Tuesday, 8th September, 2009.
Then, I will continue with my training for the Sydney 42km marathon, I will be flying out of Brisbane in less than a fortnights time.
20th September, 2009 is the Sydney 42km marathon.
See you on the starting line.
Tim Tufuga