Week 5 - Waller Division Intake 267

This week, Waller Division participated in Combat Survivability, Corrosion Control, Steyr and Survival at Sea. Melbourne and Newcastle Classes learnt the correct handling techniques and usage of the F88 Austeyr Rifle. The F88 Steyr is the Australian Defence Force’s choice of small arms, and a week is dedicated to the correct methods of firing and safety procedures involved. The F88 Steyr course consists of hands-on training, and recruits become fully conversant in not only firing the weapon, but also assembling, disassembling and cleaning it. The “Live Fire” component enables the recruits to fire live rounds in a controlled environment, whilst learning special sighting and firing techniques to ensure the most accurate shot. With most of the recruits having never handled a weapon before, this was an exciting but also daunting week for some, with the adrenaline pulsing through the veins as the order to “Fire” was called on the firing range.

Melbourne class learning Steyr procedures.

RCT Morris, RCT Shipman and RCT Maher from Melbourne class learning Steyr.

Adelaide, Brisbane and Canberra classes spent two fairly cold and gusty days learning the Survival at Sea component of recruit training. Survival at Sea introduces recruits to the 25 man inflatable life raft and teaches all aspects of safety and survival should the need arise to abandon ship. The day is finished with a simulated ‘abandon ship’ scenario with a few hours spent on the bay in their life raft.

Waller division classes practising entry into the 25 man inflatable life raft.

Waller division classes practising entry into the 25 man inflatable life raft.

Darwin and Canberra class participated in Combat Survivability this week which involved them being put through rigorous training for fire fighting and flood control. After theory and fire extinguisher lessons, recruits were put through our ‘Fire’ unit and our ‘Leak Stop and Repair’ unit. Our fully controlled fire training unit allows maximum realism for recruits to fight real fires and conduct both hatch and door entries into a burning compartment. Our Leak, Stop and Repair Unit allows recruits to attempt to shore up leaking doors, hatches and holes before the compartment fills up with water.

Canberra class being briefed and preparing for CBRND (Chemical, biological radio nuclear defence).

Recruits attempting to ‘shore’ up leaking doors, hatches and holes before the compartment fills up with water.

Jack Speak

Easy - Go or haul carefully, slowly or less vigorously.

Recruit Comment

"The change in lifestyle has been very challenging, the different activities that we participate in have been interesting and intense"; RCT Daniel Flanigan aged 19 from Wagga Wagga, NSW.