The Future is Clear
“In the past, we have established the initial beachhead
with the pre-landing force, then supplied the landing
force because that’s what we were required to do
to develop the capability,” LTCOL Pashley said.
“We’re changing our role, so now 2RAR will
basically set the conditions ashore, so the
landing force can land and go and do its job.”
The change to a specialist unit delivering
the pre-landing force service (and some basic
amphib training) for other Battalions to go
ashore means 2RAR will be restructured.
There will be no 2RAR mortars, for instance, but
specialists with a wider range of skills will be able
to call in fast air and naval gun fi re support.
Everything else would be as it always was - the
Battalion’s Colours and traditions would not change a bit.
The Pipes and Drums would continue to be a part
of the Battalion, the pioneer platoon (now the small
boats platoon) sergeant would still be required
to grow a beard and carry an axe on parade and
the Silver Soldier would continue to accompany
the Battalion on operations on land and at sea.
And while the ORBAT will be reduced to around
300 fulltime members, the Battalion will have two
companies of Reserves permanently attached to it.
The changes are, in some ways, testimony to
the success of the Battalion in developing their
part of the Army’s Amphibious Capability.
An anomalous consequence of the Battalion
being selected to spearhead development of the
Australian Army’s amphibious capability was that
the Battalion’s soldiers and offi cers became so
skilled, so quickly, they became the keepers of the
skills needed in the Amphibious Ready Element.
“Anybody looking at us at the start of the
Amphibious Trial (in 2014) would be amazed
at what we have achieved in such a short time,”
CO 2RAR LTCOL Doug Pashley said.
During the past four years, the Men In Black worked
hand in glove with the Royal Australian Navy at a
frenetic pace to develop the skills and procedures
to be able to conduct amphibious operations by
day and night in all manner of conditions.
LTCOL Pashley said the Battalion had,
from the beginning of the trial, reported
to 1Div when it was conducting amphibious
exercises, and reported to 3Bde otherwise.
“Our main focus was conducting the amphibious trial on
behalf of the Chief of Army, but when we weren’t doing
that, we were one of 3Bde’s units,” LTCOL Pashley said.
It often meant having a foot in each camp, so, while
no longer being a part of 3Bde was disappointing, the
change was a positive step in terms of clarity and focus.
LTCOL Pashley said it was a natural evolution
and meant the soldiers and offi cers in the Battalion
were properly recognised as “specialists”.
The Battalion would continue to develop
the Amphibious Capability and even as
recently as last month achieved a number
of “fi rsts” in their specialist area.
LTCOL Pashley said the soldiers and offi cers
in the Battalion were keen to seize every
opportunity to be “as good as they can be” which
was illustrated when they saw the chance to
participate in unscheduled training with HMAS
Choules during an exercise at Cowley Beach.
2RAR working with HMAS Adelaide
16 | JUNE 2017