Special Operations Training and Education Centre

Special Operations Training
and Education Centre
Active 1 December 1998 – present
Country  Australia
Branch Australian Army
Type Special Forces
Role Special Operations Training
Garrison/HQ Lone Pine Barracks, Holsworthy Barracks, Campbell Barracks
Abbreviation SOETC

The Special Operations Training and Education Centre (SOTEC), formerly the Special Forces Training Centre (SFTC), is responsible for the recruitment, screening, selection, training, education, doctrine, and professional standards of the Australian Special Operations Command and special forces of the Australian Defence Force. Special Forces qualification is also known as beret qualified.[1] The Special Operations Training and Education Centre was officially launched on the 1st September 2017 at the Holsworthy Barracks as an evolution of the previous Special Forces Training Centre.[2]

History

The Special Forces Training Centre was established on 1 December 1998 at the Lone Pine Barracks outside Singleton, New South Wales as a unit of the former Australian Army Training Command to support, validate and develop Special Forces training. The role of the SFTC grew significantly to manage a broad range of training and training support tasks on behalf of Special Operations Command, becoming a fully fledged Special Forces unit transitioning from Training Command to Special Operations Command in 2004.[3]

The former Special Forces Training Centre badge comprises both Commando Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife and SASR sword overlaying the flame of Gideon, representing the intense heat of the selection process. In the background is the double diamond representing Australias World War II Special Forces origins.[3]

Role

The Special Operations Training and Education Centre is a direct entry program and the unit for the centralised coordination of the selection and training of personnel for the Australian Special Operations Command including for the Special Air Service Regiment, the 1st Commando Regiment, and the Special Operations Engineers Regiment.

The SFTC has grown over 20 years to see it responsible for the delivery of more than 30 courses per year. This includes theconduct of all Special Forces Support Staff Tactical Integration training and the Commando Reinforcement Cycle.[4]

The SOTEC focuses on the following areas of special operations training and education:[1]

  • Martial and force projection skills.
  • Political/strategic/foreign relations acumen.
  • Military and operational excellence.
  • Ethical, cultural, social and emotional intelligence acumen.

Qualified personnel of the former SFTC and SOTEC sometimes find themselves on combat operations within a few months of completing reinforcement training

Special Forces Screen Test

Special Forces selection is open to all serving Australian Defence Force personnel and candidates must complete the Special Forces Screen Test administered by the Special Operations Training and Education Centre. The Special Forces Screen Test assesses physical fitness, teamwork, mental skills and includes an interview. About 64 percent of applicants pass this test.[5]

Australian Special Operations Course

The SOTEC has launched the Australian Special Operations Course open to all Australian Defence Force personnel and personnel from other Australian Government agencies.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 Australian Army (5 September 2017). "Special Operations Training and Education Centre (SOTEC)". www.army.gov.au. Australian Army. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  2. ↑ Brian Hartigan (1 September 2017). "Opening Special Operations Training and Education Centre – SOTEC". CONTACT magazine. Contact Publishing Pty. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Special Operations Command - Australia". Commando Welfare Trust. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  4. 1 2 "Special ops first" (PDF). Army News. Australian Army. 7 September 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  5. ↑ 2nd Commando Regiment. "Special Operations Training and Education Centre (SOTEC)". www.2commando.gov.au. Australian Army. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
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