Some 153 new soldiers from 11 and 12 Platoons Bravo Company and 25 and 26 Platoons Charlie Company marched out of the Army Recruit Course. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
Kapooka had its biggest and final march-out of the year and welcomed its new colonel.
Some 153 new soldiers from 11 and 12 Platoons Bravo Company and 25 and 26 Platoons Charlie Company marched out of the Army Recruit Course and 66 new Army Reserve Soldiers on Friday (9 December).
The Army Recruit Course march-out parade at the 1st Recruit Training Battalion (1 RTB) is the culmination of 83 days of recruit training, which establishes a foundation of skills, knowledge and attitudes required for progression to initial employment training.
Colonel Andrew Deacon presided over his final march-out as the reviewing officer and handed the reins to Colonel Timothy Stone to command 1 RTB.
Colonel Deacon thanked the parents, families and friends for their support and encouragement of the soldiers in their 12 weeks of training.
He said the new soldiers had learned to march, use their personal weapons, defend themselves and their team from physical threats, navigation, radio communication, live in the field, and had adopted the ADF values as their own.
“Without your support, this journey would not have been possible,” Colonel Deacon said. “Thank you for everything you have done to support the army’s newest soldiers.”
Colonel Deacon addressed the soldiers on parade, highlighting the significance of the occasion.
Kapooka’s final march-out of the year represented the culmination of 12 weeks’ training. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
“It signifies the end of your recruit training and the final step in your transition from civilian to recruit to soldier,” he said.
“You have faced challenges that only a soldier will know and have earned the title no one can take away from you … You are now an Australian soldier and truly earned the right to wear the Rising Sun badge.
He told the soldiers they were now part of a proud tradition that expected commitment, personal sacrifice and putting the team before themselves.
“Be proud of your achievements in reaching this point in your journey but remain ready for the challenges ahead … global instability and the enduring threat of extremism continue to write challenges to our nation,” Colonel Deacon said.
Colonel Andrew Deacon has handed over the reins. Photo: Chris Roe.
“You may be soon called upon to play your part.”
Colonel Deacon said the final parade as a commanding officer of the 1 RTB was very special to him.
“It’s mixed emotions and an absolute highlight of my career to be here,” he said.
“Personally, this parade carries even more meaning … after three years and more than a hundred parades with over 6000 of the army’s newest soldiers marching out of the parade ground.
Colonel Deacon hands out a new soldier award. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
“It’s time to hand it over to someone else and share it around, and I will very much miss it.”
Colonel Deacon recently testified at the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and hopes to continue to look for ways to improve and ensure training is safe and effective.
“Training our soldiers is a fundamental thing … it’s a critical capability in our army.”
Colonel Stone’s vision for Kapooka is to build on the “good, solid base” as much as he can.
Colonel Timothy Stone is keen to build on the training centre’s ”solid base”. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
“But I’ll be honest, I don’t think there’s too much work that needs to be done,” he said.
“I think it’s mine to lose now, and I’ve just got to make sure that I do the best job I can to keep the training centre in the condition it’s in at the moment.”
Colonel Stone hopes to boost recruit numbers by maintaining the connection with the community and ensuring people understand that although soldiers are different from civilians, everyone is part of the same society.
The march-out marked a proud moment for the new soldiers. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
“I think if we concentrate on showing our similarities rather than our differences, we could probably boost recruiting numbers.”
A former commander of the Army School of Ordnance, the new colonel’s priority now is to ensure the Kapooka maintains quality, relevant training for the soldiers.
Colonel Stone presided over the march-out parade for the new Army Reserve Soldiers as the reviewing officer.
‘[Soldiers] they’re joining in the best condition that they can, that they will be in and that they can continue their follow on training in the best possible condition.”
Award Winners
11 Platoon:
The Baird VC MG Award for Most Outstanding Soldier – PTE Jackson Kapotas, RAINF
Skill at Arms – PTE Nicholas Franco, RAINF
Best at PT – SPR Hayden Flaxman,
12 Platoon:
The Baird VC MG Award for Most Outstanding Soldier – PTE Zach Lipscombe, RAINF
Skill at Arms – PTE Joshua Robinson RAINF
Best at PT – PTE Daniel Sim RAINF
25 Platoon:
The Baird VC MG Award for Most Outstanding Soldier – PTE Andrew Bradshaw, RAINF
Skill at Arms – CFN Domanic Gibson, RAEME
Best at PT – PTE Dylan Bennett, RAINF
26 Platoon:
The Baird VC MG Award for Most Outstanding Soldier – SPR Lachlan Archer, RAE
Skill at Arms – PTE Lewis Lloyde, RAINF
Best at PT – PTE Darcy Smith, RAINF
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