Specialist Service Officer

Course Information

SPECIALIST SERVICE OFFICER FIRST APPOINTMENT COURSE (SSO FAC)

The Specialist Service Officer Course is conducted at the Royal Military College - Duntroon. This is the course for those who already have degrees and wish to serve in their specialist capacity within the Australian Regular Army (ARA) or the Australian Army Reserve (ARes). The course provides Regular and Reserve Force SSOs with the all-corps military knowledge required to fulfill their first appointment.

General:

The SSO FAC consists of 32 days of training split into two modules of 16 days each. ARA and ARES personnel are required to undertake both modules. ARES personnel may undertake the two modules separately; however, trainees will not be deemed competent for employment as an SSO within Army until completion of both modules.The SSO FAC is conducted at RMC and the Majura Training Area. Trainees will be required to work every day of each module as there are no programmed days off.

Module 1 (PMKeys course 200719) - 16 Days: This module is the introduction to all-corps subjects including Service Discipline Law, Weapons Training - F88 Austeyr, service communications equipment and individual and team field skills.

Module 2 (PMKeys course 200720) - 16 Days: This module includes an introduction to Army Leadership theory and practice, Army First Aid Course, Explosive Hazards Awareness Protection Training, navigation, decision and planning methodologies, unit and personnel administration and Laws of Armed Conflict.

Physical Fitness

Initial Fitness Assessment: IAW DI(A) PERS 148-2 Army physical conditioning assessment system, dated 13 October 2009, all trainees attending training at RMC are required to participate in an Initial Fitness Assessment (IFA) on arrival at RMC for both modules. This is an entry level requirement for all courses conducted at RMC. The IFA is based on a shuttle run, push ups and sit ups and is designed to determine whether trainees are at the minimum required standard to complete training at RMC. Due to the unique nature of training at RMC, trainees who do not demonstrate the base line levels of the assessment may be withdrawn from training and RTU. If you do not pass the IFA, you will be medically reviewed by the RMC Medical Officer and you will be advised if you are able to continue with training. Read annex F of the trainee JI for further detail.

BFA: All trainees will be required to undertake a BFA during Module 2.