How can I become an Australian paratrooper?

Question

I'm joining the ADF and i want to jump out of planes. i know that the commandos do it, and the SASR. But i've heard that there are some other people who do it as well, and not only from the infantry. How would i go about becoming an airborne combat engineer? if that is even possible.

Any info would be great. i already checked out the ADF site and the only parachute related job info was SF or parachute rigger. i have no interest in being a rigger and i don't want to go SF just yet.

Answer 1

The Airborne Battle Group consists of quite a few parachute-trained units:

- 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment

If you want to go SF one day, this is the best place to get started - the Army's parachute infantry battalion

- A Field Battery, Royal Australian Artillery

Airborne Gunners - the most elite unit in the artillery, oldest unit in the whole Army and due to be the last to use the Hamel gun

- Engineer Troop from 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment

There's one small unit from the Combat Engineers trained to parachute. I imagine competition to get in would be high, as is the case with all parachute units

- Parachute Surgical Team

Another small unit, this time for Medics

- Signals Element from 7th Signals Regiment

Joining the Signals Corps can be a surprisingly exciting thing depending on where you go - some Sigs get to ride around the desert with the SAS

If you're definitely interested in parachuting, start your application and inform your recruiter during your first meeting. You'll have to apply as a Rifleman or a Gun Number to get into the first two jobs I mentioned - but your desired posting ascertains whether or not you can jump out of planes. Most of the parachute units in the Army are based in Holsworthy, Sydney