From the
Commander ’ s
DESK
THANKS to all those involved in the RSL Queensland sponsored Lavarack Barracks Open Day and Legacy Trail Run on Saturday . The success of the day really demonstrated the strength and good will of our team and the strong relationship we have with our community . Having good team members is what makes our organisation work , and we are fortunate to have the best serving in Townsville .
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OUR priority is looking after our soldiers and their families through each step of their career and a big part of that is assisting the transition process back to civilian life . To that end , Defence provides a comprehensive transition support service for all ADF members and their families leaving the military . This includes members leaving for medical reasons , Reserve members on Continuous Full Time Service and ADF Gap Year members . ADF Transition Support Services ensure that members and their families are well-informed , and are encouraged to access educational , financial , rehabilitation , compensation and other government services to facilitate sound transition planning . Locally , to assist members with complex injuries , we conduct the Soldier Recovery Centre ( SRC ) Transition Support Course . The course is intended to develop independence , optimise transition opportunities and encourage structure , routine and goal-setting .
The start of the 10kms trail run at the Lavarack Barracks Open Day
The course includes a psychology and health support package focussing on life skills including communications , connections , emotional intelligence , goal-setting and healthy living including nutrition advice .
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NOW we are taking the process of transition for our people forward with the help of our community . A framework is being established through which transitioning members can access the broad range of services , resources and agencies available to them . The framework will be built on the following three pillars : 1 . Tailored for Individual Support . 2 . Community Connection . 3 . Ongoing Support Post-Defence . Tailored for Individual Support acknowledges the crucial role of the Defence Transitions Support Service ( TSS ), Department of Veteran Affairs ( DVA ) and the SRC to ensure that individuals are provided with correct guidance , mentoring , medical management ; that military skills are civilianised and appropriate courses and vocational training are offered , in order to match the member to new employment opportunities outside of Defence . Community Connection is pivotal to the process with employers included in the transition process modelled on the understanding that for a transitioning member , Meaningful Employment equates to a Meaningful Life . Ongoing support post- Defence was identified as crucial in assisting members as they re-adjust to a new life outside of Defence with appropriate support provided . Community partners such as Queensland RSL will play a key role to enhance support already in place .
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WE are always looking to improve in everything we do and part of that is pitting ourselves against the best . This week we are delighted to welcome partner nations here , competing with our best in the inaugural International Military Skills competition hosted by 3rd Brigade . Teams of soldiers representing the Papua New Guinea Defence Force , United States Marine Corps , Republic of Fiji Military Forces and Falintil-Forças de Defesa de Timor Leste are joining 3rd Brigade and 11th Brigade to participate in the competition finishing tomorrow . The competition aim is to build mutual trust , respect and co-operation amongst military forces in the Asia Pacific through a series of section and squad-sized ( 10 personnel ) all Corps activities .
The competition will be fierce , but friendly , and we will all be better for it .
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AS we progress , so we evolve , and you may have heard 2RAR will soon come under direct command of the 1st Division from October 15 , 2017 . The good news is 2RAR will remain based in Townsville . They will operate from a variety of Australian Navy platforms and potentially partner nation ships providing the ADF with an amphibious capability specialised in the provision of a pre-landing force . Effectively , they will be the eyes and ears to a commander of an amphibious mission , landing first in support of ADF tasks . The Battalion has had a long history with our brigade and we will continue to work closely together going forward . Exciting and productive times are ahead for all .
-COMD 3Bde BRIG Chris Field AM , CSC
6 | SEPTEMBER 2017