A Marine Specialist (MARINE SPEC) is an Australian Regular Army (ARA), Royal Australian Corps of Transport (RACT) soldier who operates and manages Army watercraft in combat service support roles, by day and night, on inland and coastal waterways and open seas. The MARINE SPEC (ECN 218) may be required to undertake the loading and unloading of the vessel. A MARINE SPEC also holds the some driver proficiencies. A Marine Specialist is also employed in SF units and is trained in a variety of specialist skills and techniques. A MARINE SPEC operates in direct support of Special Forces soldiers in conventional or unconventional offensive operations, marine counter terrorism and special recovery operations, which are beyond the capability of other RACT water transport soldiers.There is no ARes stream within this Employment Category.

In addition to the duties performed as a driver, the ECN 218-1 Marine Specialist is required to:

• Assist with the operation, maintenance and navigation of amphibians and small craft in rivers, harbours, coastal passages and during ship to shore operations.
• Load, stow and discharge cargo and guide MHE.
• Communicate on military and civilian radio networks.
• Assist with the briefing and control of passengers.
• Compile craft documentation for amphibians / water-craft.
• Operate and maintain water-craft defence weapons.
• Report amphibians / water-craft defects and damage.
• Assist with the recovery of stranded or disabled amphibians/watercraft.
• Operate watercraft ancillary equipment.
• Undertake safety drills.
• Understand International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDGC) with regard to loading of all types of Military watercraft.
• Operate amphibians in on-road and off-road environments.

The pay levels for this employment are:

• Marine Specialist Grade 1 PTE ECN 218-1 Pay Group 1
• Marine Specialist Grade 2 PTE-LCPL ECN 218-2 Pay Group 3
• Marine Specialist Grade 3 PTE-CPL ECN 218-3 Pay Group 4
• Marine Specialist Advanced LCPL-CPL ECN 218-4 Pay Group 4
• Supervisor Marine CPL-SGT ECN 218-5 Pay Group 4
• Marine Specialist Manager WO1 ECN 218-6A/B Pay Group 4/5

Training

Drivers Course: 42 Days ECN 109 Drivers Course (Course Grants C2 and MR2) at the Army Logistic Training Centre, Road Transport Wing , Puckapunyal, Victoria.

Basic Marine Specialist Course: 6 Weeks (32 Working Days) at the Army Logistic Training Centre Maritime Wing at Ross Island, Townsville QLD.

Note: On successful completion of the Marine Specialist 1 Course, a soldier will be granted ECN 218-1 to be employed on watercraft as a Deckhand.

Posting

Marine Specialists may be employed in Townsville, Sydney, Perth and Darwin.

The Marine Specialist courses meet the requirements for both civilian and military accreditation and will make you eligible for:

• Certificate I in Transport and Distribution (Maritime Operations) is granted to personnel on being assessed competent as a PTE.
• Certificate II in Transport and Distribution (Maritime Operations) (LARC V Operator) is granted to personnel on being assessed competent as PTE.
• Certificate III in Transport and Distribution (Maritime Operations) (Coxwain) is granted to personnel on being assessed competent as LCPL - CPL.
• Certificate IV in Transport and Distribution (Maritime Operations) is granted to personnel on being assessed competent as a SGT.

Detailed employment category information about Op Mov can be found within the Manual of Army Employment.(DefWeb only) and  Royal Australian Corps of Transport