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defencejobs.gov.au/airforce/jobs/AirfieldDefenceGuard
Document generated on Monday, 8 February 2016 at 12:03:27 PM

Airfield Defence Guard

Weapons handling and field operations are just some of the activities youll be performing in this
exciting role. Apply now!

Job Details
There are few jobs out there as physically or mentally demanding as being a an Airfield Defence Guard
in the Air Force. Youll be at the peak of your physical ability, able to think fast on your feet and make
clear decisions under extreme pressure. Youll be technologically minded too capable of mastering
sophisticated weapons systems and surveillance platforms. This is a career that will test your limits. But
the rewards are unlike any other.
Airfield Defence Guards (ADG) are non-commissioned Air Force members who provide the specialist
ground (combat) force required to protect air power assets from the effects of hostile ground action in
and around Air Force Bases and Installations, both in Australia and overseas during peacetime and on
operations;. During peacetime ADGs support Air Force Security (AFSEC) and Air Base Protection (ABP)
by conducing routine security tasks, including vehicle and foot patrols, static guarding and control of
entry points. On operations ADGs form the basis of the Air Force's ground combat force, protecting
Base assets, infrastructure and personnel against attack from enemy ground forces both inside and
outside of the airfield perimeter. They also instruct other Air Force personnel in relevant ground
defence techniques.
The mentally and physically demanding nature of the duties carried out by ADGs requires the
maintenance of very high physical fitness and physical employment standards. You will frequently be
absent from your home base and family for several months of the year. During training and operations,
ADGs work in all terrains and climatic conditions by day and night. You must be able to function in
extreme conditions for indefinite periods and endure high levels of fatigue, with the purpose of locating
and defeating the enemy.
ADGs require a high level of personal discipline, adaptability, tenacity, team focus and be willing to
undertake hard physical work for long periods in close proximity of other team members for extended
periods. Note it is not unusual for ADGs to patrol for up to 5 days or more without access to amenities,
carrying mission essential items, personal food and water.
Even though you will be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment, the ADG working
environment is often hazardous and you will be exposed to a high level of noise, small arms weapon
systems and high explosives. ADGs may also be required to work in nuclear, biological and chemical
protective ensembles for prolonged periods. In a non-operational environment, ADGs will work in
instructional settings, on ground weapon ranges, under simulated operational conditions and use small
arms weapons systems and high explosives.

ADGs live and work as a team, normally in groups of five to ten personnel. Some typical tasks
performed by ADGs are:
foot and vehicle patrolling by day and by night in and around both established and bare base
airfields and through vegetated or urban environments in all extremities of weather conditions
and locations within or outside of Australia;
Aircraft Security Operations providing protection toaircraft,infrastructure and personnel;
construction of field defences and obstacles such as weapon pits and bunkers, fences and road
blocks;
search and clearance operations;
manning of crew served weapons such as machine guns and anti-armour weapons; and
instruction on small arms such as rifle, shotguns and machine guns.
Equipment Carriage (Very important)
During training and on operations, ADGs will be required to carry equipment such as:
Patrol Order (combat ensemble and individual weapon) 15 kg;
Field order (Pack, webbing and rifle) minimum 25 kg; and
Additional equipment specific to the mission such as specialist weapon systems, communication
systems and surveillance systems.
The operational role of an ADG will require them to develop the specialised Ground Combat skills and
knowledge needed to perform their duties in an operational environment.

Entry
Note: Part-time applicants must live within 2 hours surface travelling time of an Security Forces
Squadron or Rifle Flight.
Part-time ADGs are an integrated component of the Air Force's ground defence capability and can
deploy on exercises and may apply for operational service overseas. Part-time ADGs are utilised in
areas of war-like operations and in backfill positions left vacant by other Air Force personnel who have
deployed.
Attendance Commitment
Part-time ADGs are required to accept a full-time employment contract involving 11 months full-time
service followed by four years part-time service commitment of a minimum of 32 days each year.
During the 11 months full-time service period, you will be required to undergo initial recruit training at
No 1 Recruit Training Unit (1RTU) followed by initial employment training at RAAF Security and Fire
School (RAAFSFS). Posting will then be to either No 1 Security Forces Squadron at Williamstown, NSW,
No 2 Security Forces Squadron at Amberley, QLD, or No 3 Security Forces Squadron, Edinburgh, SA for
Individual Reinforcement Training that will complete your 11 months full-time service.
Following the completion of the 11 months full-time service you will train and work during part-time
service at a Security Forces Squadron Rifle Flight located near your home town. Rifle Flights are located
at RAAF Bases Amberley (QLD), Richmond (NSW), Laverton (VIC), Edinburgh (SA), and Pearce (WA)
During the four years part-time service ADGs will be required to elect whether they wish to serve in the
Air Force High Readiness Reserve. Should they do so they are entitled to receive a tax exempt
completion bonus of $5000 upon the anniversary date of their election to serve in the High Readiness
Reserve provided they meet all the job proficiencies required of an ADG. In addition they are entitled to
a tax exempt Health Support Allowance of $2500 per annum for the purchase of top tabled health
insurance.
Important to note

Reserve ADGs may apply to transfer to the Permanent Air Force (PAF) or volunteer for a period of
full-time service with the PAF. Success of this application may depend on vacancies at the time.
Annual Activities
During Air Force Active Reserve service all members are required to complete the following activities:
bi-annual physical fitness test; and
normal ADG ground defence and weapon training, further continuation training including first aid, fire
fighting, equity, security, fraud and occupational health and safety awareness training is required.
Applicant Selection Process
Entry as an Air Force Active Reserve ADG is by selection to fill available vacancies. The selection
standards are the same as those for joining the Permanent Air Force.
To enlist asan Air Force Active Reserve ADGcontact your local Defence Force Recruiting Centre or
telephone 13 19 01. A Careers Counsellor will discuss with you the various aspects of the Active
Reserve. If you meet the minimum requirement, an interview will be arranged for you with a senior
member of the ADG mustering who will be able to discuss the part time ADG role in more detail.
Further information on part-time ADF careers can be found by accessing theDefence Reserves
websiteor specified questions relating ADGs can be emailed toadg.recruitment@defence.gov.au

Pay & Allowances

During the 11 months full-time service period you will receive salary as follows:
Salary while undertaking Military (Recruit) Training: $1,321.23 per fortnight ($34,459.48 per year).*
Salary while undertaking Initial Employment Training: $1,510.85 per fortnight ($39,382.55 per year).*
While under training, you will also receive $365.93 per fortnight ($9,551.98 per year pro rata) Trainee
Allowance.
To assist you in maintaining your uniforms in good order and condition, you will also receive a Uniform
Allowance of $16.40 per fortnight ($429.48 per year).
Salary (excluding allowances) on completion of Initial Employment Training: $1,770.18 per fortnight
($46,160.88 per year).*
In addition to your salary, you will receive Service Allowance of $488.93 per fortnight ($12,741.78 per
year) except while undertaking Military (Initial) or Employment training. This allowance compensates a
member for the unique requirements that service life may impose on an individual and his or her
family.
On completion of your 11 months full-time service contract you will receive the following salary:
Air Force Active Reserve ADGs on Part Time Service (PTS) receive $126.46 per day tax free. ADGs on
part time service will also receive a tax exempt Service Allowance of $13.15 per day.
Each General Entry job in the Australian Defence Force is classified into a pay grade. This particular job
is classified as a Pay Grade 2 occupation. Your Pay Grade will normally increase following the
acquisition of additional skills and completion of advanced courses.

Refer to the Salary Scales for further details.

Completion Bonus and Health Support Allowance
Air Force Active Reserve ADGs on part time service who elect to serve in the Air Force High Readiness
Reserve may also be entitled to a tax exempt completion bonus of $5,125.00 upon meeting the
proficiencies of the role and a tax exempt Health Support Allowance of $2,562.50 for the purchase of
top tabled health insurance.
Taxation
Members on Full-Time Service (FTS) will be taxed at normal tax rates. The Income Tax Assessment Act
allows payment for periods of PTS to be tax exempt.
* Note: These figures do not include compulsory deductions for taxation; meals, accommodation and
utilities (as applicable); and superannuation.

General Requirements

Age Requirement
Applicants must be aged between 17 and60 years of age inclusive on entry.
Applicants will not normally be allowed to enter the ADF until they achieve a minimum of 17 years of
age, however they may be able to initiate the application process from 16 years and six months of age,
depending upon the capacity of their local recruiting centre.

Citizenship Requirement
Only Australian citizens are permitted to serve in the ADF.
If you are a Permanent Resident of Australia, the ADF may consider a temporary waiver of the
citizenship requirement if the position for which you are applying cannot be filled by an applicant who
meets all the citizenship requirements, and then only in exceptional circumstances. You will be required
to obtain Australian citizenship as early as possible following enlistment or appointment.
More information on citizenship requirements and the citizenship waiver process is available from the
Recruitment Centre and your local Defence Force Recruiting Centre.

Security Requirement
The Department of Defence requires ADF entrants to attain a security clearance appropriate to their
avenue of entry.
A process of background checks, collection of relevant information and, as required, interviews enables
the Regional Security Office to make an informed assessment of an applicant's suitability for a security
clearance

Current policy requires applicants for this particular avenue of entry to have lived in Australia for the
preceding 10 years, or have a checkable background for this period.

Reserve

Aptitude Requirement
The application process to join the Australian Defence Force requires you to complete a series of
aptitude tests including verbal, spatial and numerical ability and a general maths test. Some jobs may
also require you to complete additional testing at a later date.
Psychology support staff will explain what is involved with each test.
The aptitude tests provide information about your suitability for the Defence Force and for particular
jobs. Defence Force Recruiting can then help you identify jobs that best match your abilities.
Further information on the aptitude testing requirements can be found here.

Gender Restriction
Currently women can not be employed in direct combat roles, however this will change in January 2016
with all roles, including combat roles, open to women. Female applicants can now apply for this role,
with recruitment to commence from January 2016.

Education & Experience

It is essential that the applicant has completed Year 10 with passes in English and Maths and is
proficient in the areas of spelling and grammar,
or
If you do not satisfy the education requirements for this trade or do not possess evidence of your
educational attainment there is an alternative pathway available to you.
You may be eligible to sit an Alternative Education Equivalency (AEE) Assessment to ascertain your
ability at the required educational level for this trade.
Further information is available here.

Medical & Fitness Requirements

For entry to the Air Force as an Airfield Defence Guard, you must be medically and physically fit for
entry to your chosen occupation. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive
questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
During the recruiting process you must acknowledge that you can swim 25 metres and during
employment training you will undertake a swim test.
You will also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness test beforeenlistment. For Airfield
Defence Guard, the standard you will be required to meet beforeenlistment is a PFA consisting of:

 Push-Ups: 15;
Sit-Ups: 45; and
Shuttle Run: 7.5.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards refer toPhysical Fitness Standards for
Entry into the ADF and Medical Process for Entry into the ADF.
Physical fitness is very important for Airfield Defence Guards as they are required to maintain a higher
fitness level than most members of the Air Force. This is to ensure that Airfield Defence Guards can
cope with the physically demanding conditions often encountered in the nature of their duties.

Period of Service
Airfield Defence Guard candidates who enlist into the Air Force Reserve have an initial full-time contract
of 11 months, and are required to serve the following four years part-time, or until age 65 (Compulsory
Retiring Age), whichever occurs earlier.
Members may apply for transfer out of an active element of the Air Force Reserve at any time. All
transfers will be considered by your chain of command and be based upon Air Force capability
requirements.

Additional Requirements
Applicants seeking employment as an Airfield Defence Guard must satisfy the following civilian driver
licence requirements:
Applicants must hold a provisional or full Australian C Class (or equivalent) motor vehicle licence for a
vehicle with a manual transmission for 12 months. Applicants must be free of traffic infringements
and/or offences that may result in future cancellation of the licence, or prevent the issue of an ADF
Drivers Licence.
It is essential to be able to swim 25 metres.

Military Training
Duration: 12.6 weeks
Location: RAAF Base Wagga (NSW)
No 1 Recruit Training Unit (1RTU) conducts initial recruit training for Airmen and Airwomen. The 12
week andsix day recruit course is an intensive period of learning and adjustment to a military lifestyle.
The aims of the course are to: provide an orderly transition from civilian to Air Force life; equip the
recruit with the basic knowledge, skills and physical fitness to perform future roles in the Air Force; and
instil in the recruit the motivation to become a dedicated and productive Air Force member.
For more details on recruit training, refer to the Joining instructions. These instructions will provide
you and your family with enough information to arrange your personal affairs before enlistment in the
Air Force, and give you an idea of what you will be doing on the recruit course.
Further details on recruit training are also available on the 1RTU website.
Upon graduation, most Airmen and Airwomen undertake specialist employment training before moving
on to full employment in their chosen mustering in the Air Force.

During Military (Initial Recruit) Training and (Initial) Employment Training, members may be required to
pay a contribution towards meals, accommodation and utilities.

Employment Training
Recruit training is followed by the 14.4 week full-time Airfield Defence Guard Basic Course conducted at
the RAAF Security and Fire School (RAAFSFS), RAAF Base Amberley, QLD. Training is provided on:
small arms weapons (ranging from the F88 AUSTEYR Individual Weapon, a robust rifle that can be
fitted with the Grenade Launcher Assembly (GLA) and a range of advanced sighting systems, F89 Light
Support Weapon, , the 66mm Light Direct Fire Support Weapon ((LDFSW), and Night Fighting
Equipment, high explosive weapons (Grenades and the M18A1 Claymore - anti personnel weapon),
radio communications, field engineering, battle-craft and tactics, map reading and navigation, nuclear,
biological and chemical defence, first aid and casualty handling.
The basic ADG course is physically very demanding. Accordingly, students need to have a very high
level of physical fitness before commencing training. Upon graduation from RAAFSFS, students must be
able to perform chin-ups, sit-ups (3 second cadence, feet not held) and run 2.4 kilometres according to
age group. For example, ADGs less than 25 years of age are required to perform 10 chin-ups, 40
sit-ups and run 2.4 kilometres in 10 minutes or less. ADGs are assessed twice yearly for physical fitness

Additionally, ADG trainees are to successfully satisfy all requirements of the Ground Defence Physical
Employment Standard Assessment (GDPES-A) which comprises of four components; a 15 km Combat
Endurance March; Fire and Movement; a Jerry Can Carry; and a Box Lift and Place. The GDPES-A is
conducted within a 24 hour period.
Note: While not a formal requirement, candidates are encouraged to meet the physical fitness
standards required of an ADG prior to entering the Air Force. Do not commence a physical fitness
program without consulting a physician.

Further Training
INDIVIDUAL REINFORCEMENT TRAINING
On completion of the ADG Basic Course you will undertake Individual Reinforcement Training. This
training will assist with your transition into a Squadron environment and is an integral part of the 11
months full time service period.
The Individual Reinforcement Training program covers all typical ground defence operational
requirements as well as routine administrative requirements. The program has been devised to be both
interesting and challenging using realism in mission orientation and finally group dynamics. The
program consists of the following phases.
Specialist Training
During their career ADGs have the opportunity if selected to undertake specialist training in specific
ground combat skills which may include:
Direct Fire Support Weapons: ADGs trained to operated the MAG 58 GSMG in the sustained fire role
and the 84mm Medium Direct Fire Support Weapon;

 Chemical, Biological and Nuclear Defence advanced courses: ADGs trained in advanced skills allowing
them to support the operation of Air Force elements in Chemical, Biological and Nuclear environments;
Reconnaissance and surveillance: ADGs trained to work in small teams to conduct reconnaissance and
surveillance tasks in support of the defence of an airfield;
Marksman and Sniper Weapons: ADGs trained to operate specialist weapons such as SR-25 and
SR-98 to provide precision fire support to airfield defence operations;
Linguistic training
Motor Transport Operations: ADGs will be trained to operate military vehicles to support ground
defence operations and training

Employment Location
On completion of recruit and basic Airfield Defence Guard training, Air Force Active Reserve ADGs will
be posted to either 1 Security Forces Squadron (1SECFORSQN), at RAAF Williamtown (WLM), No 2
Security Forces Squadron (2SECFORSQN) at RAAF Amberley (QLD) or No 3 Security Forces Squadron
(SECFORSQN) at RAAF Edinburgh (SA). to continue Individual Reinforcement Training for the remaining
period of their 11 months full-time duty employment contract.
Following the completion of the 11 months full-time service you will train and work during part-time
service at a Security Forces Squadron Rifle Flight located near your home town. Rifle Flights are
currently located at RAAF Bases Richmond (NSW), Edinburgh (SA), and Amberley (QLD).

Other
Daily Physical Training Routine
SECFORSQN members will report at 7:15 am for morning parade.
On completion of parade, Rifle Flight members will conduct physical training under supervision of a
Physical Training Instructor or Ground Defence Fitness Leader. Physical training will involve a
combination of strength, cardio and military specific workouts which will assist in the physical nature of
the ADG role.
After physical training, ADGs begin their training day in accordance with the Rifle Flight training
program. The program will be specific to the Rifle Flight but may involve activities such as: range
practices firing live rounds utilising a variety of weapon systems, patrolling activities, aircraft security
operations, unarmed combat, and field craft training.
The day will normally conclude at 4:15 pm.
Additional to the daily program, SECFORSQN members spend weeks at a time away from their home
Base, on exercises and training activities.

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