Crewman Main Battle Tank

ECN 065 

The Tank Regiment operates the Abrams main battle tank. The Regiment's manning and equipment make it suitable for a variety of employments. Its main role is to provide close combat protection and in co-ordination with other arms, to close with and destroy the enemy using firepower, manoeuvre and shock action.
This position is for an Armoured Corps Crewman of a Abrams Main Battle Tank (MBT). As part of the Tank Regiment, you will become skilled in driving, gunnery and radio duties on the M1A1. The Tank Regiment provides armoured mobility, communications and firepower on the battlefield.
DutiesPay

As a Abrams Tank Crewman, you will be responsible for:

  • Undertaking tactical driving by day and night.
  • Performing all driver servicing tasks on vehicles and carrying out minor repairs.
  • Assisting tradesmen and other crew in repairs on the vehicle and its ancillary equipment.
  • Loading the main armament and machine guns.
  • Operating on-board communications equipment.
  • Assist with maintaining the weapon systems on board the MBT.
  • Working in a close knit environment and crew.

This particular job is classified as a Pay Group 2 after successful completion of initial course, and up to Pay Group 3 after approximately 12 months.
Training & PostingCivil Accreditation

Training

You will undertake an 95 day Crewman Driver M1A1 course (MBT) which will consist of a Dismounted Training phase, a Communications phase, a Driving and Servicing phase, followed by a Loaders phase.

All of this is conducted at the School of Armour, Puckapunyal, Victoria.

After a period of service as a driver in a Tank you will be eligible to be trained as a 120mm Gunner MBT.


Posting

Crewman MBT are employed at Puckapunyal and Darwin.

This category's courses meet the requirements for both civilian and military authorities and will make you eligible for:

  • Certificate II in Resource Operations is granted to personnel on being assessed as competent as a ARA Crewman Grade Two.
  • Certificate III in Government is granted to personnel on being assessed as competent as a ARA Crewman Commander.
  • Certificate III in Resource Operations is granted to personnel on being assessed as competent as a ARA Crewman Commander.
  • Certificate IV in Resource Operations is granted to personnel on being assessed as competent as a ARA Sergeant.
  • Statement of Attainment towards Certificate IV in Government is granted to personnel on being assessed as competent as a ARA Sergeant.
  • Diploma of Resource Operations Management is granted to personnel on being assessed as competent as a ARA Warrant Officer.
  • Diploma of Government (Management) is granted to personnel on being assessed as competent as a ARA Warrant Officer.
Special RequirementsMedical Requirement

In addition to being able to pass the Army swim test. Applicants must be capable of passing the Armoured Corps swim test which involves duck diving twice through at least two underwater obstacles. The obstacles are two metres apart at a depth of not less than 2.5 metres and not more than 3.5 metres measured from the bottom of the obstacle. Applicants are to swim 30 metres in fresh water, or 50 metres in salt water and without leaving the water, remain afloat out of depth for three minutes. Applicants need to be able to withstand being confined in restricted spaces for extended periods of time and to have the capacity to hold a drivers licence, and those that do are not to have any restrictions imposed or pending on their current licence.

In addition to requirements set out for Army GE, applicants for RAAC must have a visual acuity of 8/3 or better in each eye, and a colour perception (CP) rating of no less than 2.
Further Information 

The specifications of the employment categories of the RAAC can be viewed at the Manual of Army Employments. (DefWeb only)