Training and Courses

Introduction to 51 FNQR

Service in the 51^st Battalion, The Far North Queensland Regiment is interesting, diverse and not without challenges. As a Regional Force Surveillance Unit, it plays a vital role in the detection of threats through continual surveillance of the Far North Queensland coastline and hinterland of Australia.

In conducting its activities 51 FNQR draws on soldiers and civil support from the area of operations, and utilises the knowledge of the local population. Local indigenous and non indigenous communities provide both a source of recruiting and information about any unusual activities in their area. Recruiting teams travel to remote islands and community locations to conduct the recruiting of potential soldiers, and successful recruits are utilised as patrolmen in the conduct of the Battalion's activities.

The unit has over 500 personnel including approximately 60 regular personnel. Companies are located in Cairns, Weipa, Thursday Island and Mt. Isa. The unit is proud to be the most racially integrated unit in the Australian Defence Force, with around 25% of its soldiers indigenous Australians from both Torres Strait and Aboriginal communities.

51 FNQR has a high standing within the local community and plays an important role in local activities and ceremonies. In 1996 51 FNQR was privileged enough to receive the Freedom of Entry to the City of Cairns. Many local organisations call upon 51 FNQR to support their functions, activities or events. Every year 51 FNQR is able to provide the civil community with support, whether it be personnel or equipment, for a wide variety of activities throughout the Far North region.    51 FNQR also plays an important role in lending assistance during local emergencies, and has assisted during cyclones by offering its services and equipment for such tasks as personnel evacuation, the delivery of supplies and flood relief.

One of 51 FNQR's Regional Force Surveillance Vehicles

Unit Training and Courses

Unit training and courses form an integral part of raising and maintaining the skills of personnel and the unit capability. 51 FNQR routinely conducts two intensive monthly-long course periods per year. Six courses are run throughout the month, many of which are held at the Porton Barracks Depot in Cairns. Some of the courses which are run include; the Combat First Aid Course, the RFSV Drivers Course, the Kitchen Field Mobile Course, the Intelligence Dutyman Course, the Recruit Course and the Patrolman Course.

Courses are held in a variety of locations across the Battalions Area of Operations, and may include students from Norforce and the Pilbara Regiment, as well as the Vanuatu Mobile Force, which is affiliated with 51 FNQR. Many of the courses are physically challenging and demand much from the students. For example, the vast majority of the Patrol Commander course is spent in the bush where students gain practical experience in taking command and control of a patrol. They also receive lessons on the planning factors and considerations for patrols, the Military Appreciation Process, patrol diaries and external agencies briefs. Both of these courses are essential to increasing the number of people within the unit qualified to take patrols out into the field.

The Combat First Aid course is another demanding course conducted to qualify students as patrol medics. Students are required to master, both in theory and in practice, a number of competencies such as basic first aid, drug therapy, assessing and managing a casualty, casualty evacuation, and wound dressing.

The RFSV Drivers Course is a course which trains students in the use of the purpose designed Landrover surveillance vehicle (RFSV). Two courses are run each year to qualify unit personnel as drivers of the RFSV, which is the basic patrol mobility asset of the Battalion.

51 FNQR is a well-equipped unit that must continually train its soldiers in the latest communications, surveillance and personal combat equipment. After completing a series of courses the members of the Battalion become well versed in the use of high-tech equipment, and soon develop excellent patrol skills.