Australian Army

Formed in March 1901, with the amalgamation of the six separate colonial military forces, following the Federation of Australia, it consisted of the former New South Wales, Victorian, Queensland, Western Australian, South Australian and Tasmanian armed forces. During this period the Second Boer War was still in full force. The Defence Act of 1903, established the operation and command structure of the Australian Army.[8] In 1911, the Universal Service Scheme was introduced, meaning that conscription was introduced for males aged 14–26 into cadet and CMF units; though it did not prescribe or allow overseas service outside the states and territories of Australia. This restriction would be bypassed through the process of raising separate volunteer forces until the mid 20th century; this solution was not without its drawbacks, with it usually causing headaches in logistics.[9]

After the declaration of war on the Central Powers, the Australian Army raised the all volunteer First Australian Imperial Force (AIF) with an initial recruitment of 52,561 out of a promised 20,000 men. A smaller expeditionary force, the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF) was created to deal with the German Pacific colonial holdings; with recruitment beginning on the 10 August 1914 and operations starting 10 days later.[10] The first actions of the war by Australian personnel occurred on the 11 September with the landing at Rabaul by ANMEF, and by the end of October 1914 Germany had no outposts in the Pacific.[11] During preparations to depart Australia by the AIF, the Ottoman Empire unleashed surprise attacks on Russian ships and joined the Central Powers; thereby receiving declarations war from the Allies between the period of 2–5 November 1914.[12]

After initial recruitment and training, the AIF departed for Egypt where they underwent further preparations, and during this period the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) was founded. Their deployment, training and reorganisation in Egypt were undertaken as preparations for the start of the invasion of the Ottoman Empire via the Gallipoli peninsula. The invasion began in early 1915, with the AIF landing on 25 April, in what is now known as ANZAC Cove. It quickly devolved into trench warfare, with the ANZACs having little success, and a stalemate ensued. After eight months of fighting, the evacuation of Gallipoli commenced on 15 December 1915 and finished on 20 December 1915, with no casualties recorded.[13] After some training in Egypt and further action against the Ottoman Empire, the AIF was primarily split between Light Horse and infantry units and further expanded. The later would go to the western front whereas the mounted units would stay in the Middle East to fight the Ottomans in Arabia.[14]

The AIF arrived in France with the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Divisions; which comprised, in part, I ANZAC Corps and, in full, II ANZAC Corps. The 3rd Division would not arrive until November 1916 from England where it had been training since its transfer from Australia. The infantry units commenced operations on the Western Front with the Battle of the Somme, and more specifically at Fromelles in July 1916. Soon after, the 1st, 2nd and 4th Divisions became tied down in the actions at Pozières and Mouquet Farm. In total, the operations cost the AIF 28,000 in casualties in around six weeks.[15] Due to these losses and pressure from the British War Council to maintain the required, and agreed upon, levels of manpower, Prime Minister Billy Hughes introduced the first conscription plebiscite on 28 October 1916. It was defeated by a narrow margin and created a bitter divide on the issue of conscription throughout the 20th century.[16][17] Following the withdrawal of the Germans to the Hindenburg Line trench system, which was better defended and eased manpower problems by reducing the frontline, in March 1917, and the subsequent pursuit by Australian divisions, the first Australian assault on the line occurred on 11 April 1917 with the First Battle of Bullecourt.[18][19][20]

Australian light horse unit in Jerusalem during WWI

The Australian mounted units, composed of the ANZAC Mounted Division and eventually the Australian Mounted Division, participated in the Middle Eastern Campaign. They were originally stationed there to protect the Suez Canal from the Turks, and following the threat of its capture passing, they started offensive operations and helped in the re-conquest of the Sinai Desert. This was followed by the Battles of Gaza, wherein on the 31 October 1917 the 4th and 12th Light Horse took Beersheba through the last charge of the Light Horse. They continued on to capture Jerusalem on 10 December 1917 and then eventually Damascus on 1 October 1918 whereby, a few days later on 10 October 1918, the Ottoman Empire surrendered.[11][14]

Repatriation efforts were implemented following the war and finished by the end of 1919.[21] In 1921, a decision was made to renumber the Citizens Military Forces units to that of the AIF.[22] During this period there was complacency towards matters of defence due to the effects of the previous war.[23] Following the election of Prime Minister James Scullin in 1929, conscription was abolished and the Great Depression hit, this led to a decrease in defence expenditure and manpower for the army.[24] To also reflect the new volunteer nature of the Citizen Forces, they were renamed to the Militia.[25]

Following the declaration of war on Germany and her allies by Britain, and the subsequent confirmation by Prime Minister Robert E. Menzies on 3 September 1939,[26] the Australian Army raised the Second Australian Imperial Force, a 20,000-strong volunteer expeditionary force, which initially consisted of the 6th Division; later increased to include the 7th and 9th Divisions, alongside the 8th Division which was sent to Singapore.[27][14] As part of efforts to ready Australia, compulsory military training recommenced in October 1939 for unmarried males aged 21, who had to complete a period of three months of training.[17]

The initial force commenced its first operations in North Africa, and the war, with the Operation Compass offensive; beginning with the Battle of Bardia.[14][28] This was followed by the supply of Australian units to Greece to defend against an invasion by Axis forces, which ultimately failed and a fighting withdrawal was issued.[29] Australian troops landed in Crete after the evacuation of Greece to defend against an airborne invasion, which was more successful but still failed and another withdrawal was ordered.[30] During this period the Allies were pushed back to Egypt and Tobruk came under siege by the Germans, with the primary defence personnel being Australians of the 9th Division; they lasted for 241 days before Tobruk was freed, however the Australians were relieved earlier than this.[31] Also, in June and July 1941, the AIF participated in the invasion of Syria, a Vichy French mandate, in response to German air forces being stationed there.[14] The 9th Division fought in actions in El Alamein before also being shipped home to fight the Japanese.[32]

Soldiers of the Australian 39th Battalion in September 1942

Following the entrance and announcement of war by Japan in December 1941, alongside its subsequent victories that conquered most of South East Asia by the end of March 1942, the militia was mobilised and the AIF was requested to return to Australia. This haste was increased when Singapore fell, in which the 8th Division was captured, and was the impetus for the relief of Australian troops at Tobruk, with the 6th and 7th Divisions immediately being sent to Australia to reinforce the defensive positions of New Guinea.[26] General conscription was also reintroduced, with service again being limited to Australia's territorial possessions, namely New Guinea. There were continued tensions between personnel of the AIF and Militia due to the latter's perceived inferior fighting ability which led to their nickname of "chocos", short for chocolate soldiers; this was in the belief that they would melt in the heat of combat.[17][33][34]

The naval engagement of the Imperial Japanese Navy by the Royal Australian Navy and US Navy in the Battle of the Coral Sea, and subsequent denial of the Japanese achieving their objective, was the impetus for the overland invasion to capture Port Moresby via the Owen Stanley mountain range.[35] This invasion, which occurred on 21 July 1942 when the Japanese landed at Gona, alongside Australian defensive actions, represented the Kokoda campaign. Australian forces tried to slow the advancing Japanese with operations across the Kokoda track and eventually succeeded, with the resultant operations concluded with the Japanese being driven out of New Guinea entirely.[36] In parallel with the Kokoda campaign being waged, another landing took place at Milne Bay on 25 August 1942 with fighting lasting until 7 September 1942 when the Japanese were repulsed; this is widely considered to be the first significant reversal of the Japanese forces for the war.[37] The Kokoda Track Campaign ended after the Japanese withdrawal in November 1942, with subsequent advances leading to the Battle of Buna–Gona on 16 November 1942; this battle continued until 2 January 1943.[36][38] In early 1943, the Australian Army started offensive actions to recapture Lae and Salamaua, where the Japanese had been entrenched since 8 March 1942.[39]

After the surrender of Japan, the Australian provided a contingent to the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF), with mainly volunteers from the 2nd AIF. The units that comprised the brigade would eventually become the nucleus of the regular army, with the battalions and brigade being renumbered to reflect this change. Following the start of the Korean War, the Australian Army committed troops to fight against the North Korean forces; the units came from the Australian contribution to BCOF. The 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) arrived in Pusan on 28 September 1950. Australian troop numbers would increase and continue to be deployed up until the armistice, with 3RAR being eventually joined by the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR).[40][41]

The Australian Army committed the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) in the Malayan Emergency, a guerrilla conflict between communist forces and Malay allies over ethnic Chinese citizenship, in October 1955. The operations consisted of primarily patrolling actions and guarding infrastructure; they rarely saw combat and by the time of their deployment, the confrontation was in its final stage. 2RAR rotated out with 3RAR and consequently 1RAR, with 2RAR completing another tour before the end of Australian Operations. The end of deployments of Australian troops occurred in August 1963, 3 years after the official ending of the emergency.[42] The Indonesian (or Borneo) Confrontation was the result of Indonesia's opposition to the formation of Malaysia, with Australian support in the conflict beginning and extending primarily with the training and supply of Malaysian troops. The initial combat unit deployed was 3RAR, with the deployment of 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR) following after.[43][44]

The Australian Army commenced its involvement in the Vietnam War by sending military advisors in 1962. This was then increased by bringing in combat troops, the 1RAR, on 27 May 1965. In March 1966, the Australian Army increased this force again with the replacement of 1RAR with the 1st Australian Task Force; a force in which all nine battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment would serve. One of heaviest actions occurred in August 1966, the Battle of Long Tan, wherein D Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) successfully fended off an enemy force, estimated at 2,000 men, for four hours. Australian forces, in 1968, defended against the Tet Offensive and repulsed them with few casualties. The contribution of personnel to the war was gradually wound down, which started in late 1970 and ended in 1972; while the official declaration of the end of Australia's involvement in the war happened on 11 January 1973.[45][46]

Following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in August 1990, a coalition of countries sponsored by the UN Security Council, of which Australia was a part, gave a deadline for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait of the 15 January 1991. Iraq refused to retreat and thus full conflict and the Gulf War began two days later on 17 January 1991.[47] In January 1993, the Australian Army deployed 26 personnel on an ongoing rotational basis to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), as part of non United Nations peacekeeping organisation that observes and enforces the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt.[48]

Two Australian soldiers during the Shah Wali Kot Offensive in Afghanistan

Australia's largest peacekeeping deployment began in 1999 in East Timor, while other ongoing operations include peacekeeping in the Sinai (as part of MFO), and the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization. Humanitarian relief after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake in Aceh Province, Indonesia, Operation Sumatra Assist, ended on 24 March 2005.[49]

Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre, Australia promised troops to any military operations that the US commenced in response to the attacks. Subsequently, the Australian Army committed combat troops to Afghanistan in Operation Slipper. This combat role continued until the end of 2013 when it was replaced by a training contingent operating under Operation Highroad.[50][51]

Australian Cavalry Scout in Iraq, 2007

After the Gulf War the UN imposed heavy restrictions on Iraq to stop them producing weapons of mass destruction. The US accused Iraq of possessing these weapons and presented evidence of this from unsubstantiated reports and requested that the UN invade the country to seize them, a motion which Australian supported. This was denied, however, the this did not stop a coalition led by the US, and joined by Australia, invading the country; thus starting the Iraq War on 19 March 2003.[52]

Between April 2015 and June 2020, the Army deployed a 300-strong element to Iraq, designated as Task Group Taji, as part of Operation Okra. In support of a capacity building mission, Task Group Taji's main role was to provide training to Iraqi forces, during which Australian troops have served alongside counterparts from New Zealand.[53][54]

1st Division carries out high-level training activities and deploys to command large-scale ground operations. It has few combat units permanently assigned to it, although it does currently command the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment as part of Australia's amphibious task group.[56]

1 RAR machine-gun team training in Hawaii during RIMPAC 2012

A 1st Commando Regiment soldier jumping from a 16th Aviation Brigade, 171st Aviation Squadron Black Hawk helicopter

Forces Command controls for administrative purposes all non-special-forces assets of the Australian Army. It is neither an operational nor a deployable command. Forces Command comprises:[57]

• 1 Brigade – Multi-role Combat Brigade based in Darwin and Adelaide.
• 3 Brigade – Multi-role Combat Brigade based in Townsville.
• 6 Brigade (CS&ISTAR) – Mixed brigade based in Sydney.
• 7 Brigade – Multi-role Combat Brigade based in Brisbane.
• 16 Aviation Brigade – Army Aviation brigade based in Enoggera, Brisbane.
• 17 Sustainment Brigade – Logistic brigade based in Sydney.
• 2nd Division administers the reserve forces from its headquarters located in Sydney.
  • 4 Brigade – based in Victoria.
  • 5 Brigade – based in New South Wales.
  • 8 Brigade – training brigade with units around Australia
  • 9 Brigade – based in South Australia and Tasmania.
  • 11 Brigade – based in Queensland.
  • 13 Brigade – based in Western Australia.

Additionally, Forces Command includes the following training establishments:

• Army Recruit Training Centre at Kapooka, NSW;
• Royal Military College, Duntroon in the ACT;
• Combined Arms Training Centre at Puckapunyal, Vic;
• Army Logistic Training Centre at Bonegilla, Vic and Bandiana, Vic; and
• Army Aviation Training Centre at Oakey, QLD.[58]

Australian special forces in Afghanistan, 2009

Special Operations Command comprises a command formation of equal status to the other commands in the ADF. It includes all of Army's special forces assets.[59][60]

As of June 2018 the Army had a strength of 47,338 personnel: 29,994 permanent (regular) and 17,346 active reservists (part-time).[66] In addition, the Standby Reserve has another 12,496 members (as of 2009).[67] As of 2018, women make up 14.3% of the Army – well on track to reach its current goal of 15% by 2023. The number of women in the Australian military has increased dramatically since 2011 (10%), with the announcement that women would be allowed to serve in frontline combat roles by 2016.[68]

The ranks of the Australian Army are based on the ranks of the British Army, and carry mostly the same actual insignia. For officers the ranks are identical except for the shoulder title "Australia". The Non-Commissioned Officer insignia are the same up until Warrant Officer, where they are stylised for Australia (for example, using the Australian, rather than the British coat of arms).[69] The ranks of the Australian Army are as follows:

NATO Code	OF-10	OF-9	OF-8	OF-7	OF-6	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3	OF-2	OF-1		OF(D)
Australia Officer rank insignia
Rank title:	Field Marshal	General	Lieutenant General	Major General	Brigadier	Colonel	Lieutenant Colonel	Major	Captain	Lieutenant	Second Lieutenant	Officer Cadet	Staff Cadet
Abbreviation:	FM	Gen	Lt Gen	Maj Gen	Brig	Col	Lt Col	Maj	Capt	Lt	2Lt	OCDT	SCDT

NATO Code	OR-9		OR-8	OR-7	OR-6	OR-5	OR-4	OR-3	OR-2	OR-1
Australia Other Ranks Insignia								No insignia
Rank Title:	Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army	Warrant Officer class 1	Warrant Officer class 2	Staff Sergeant (Phased out as of 2019)	Sergeant	Corporal	Lance Corporal	Private (or equivalent)		Recruit
Abbreviation:	RSM-A	WO1	WO2	SSgt	Sgt	Cpl	LCpl	Pte		Rec

The Australian Army uniforms are grouped into nine categories, with additional variants of the uniform having alphabetical suffixes in descending order, which each ranges from ceremonial dress to general service and battle dress. The Slouch hat is the regular service and general duties hat, while the field hat is for use near combat scenarios.[70] The summarised categories are as follows:

• No 1 – Ceremonial Service Dress
• No 2 – Ceremonial Parade Dress/General Duty Dress
• No 3 – Ceremonial Safari Suit
• No 4 – Multicam Dress
• No 5 – Crewman Dress
• No 6 – Mess Dress
• No 7 – Working Dress
• No 8 – Maternity Dress
• No 9 – Aircrew Dress

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  Australian Army Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk
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  An Australian Army MRH-90
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  Australian Army Tiger ARH