Use Them or Lose Them? Australia’s Defence Force Reserves

Abstract

This article reviews the history of military reserves in Australia with particular reference to the Army Reserve. It shows how the importance of reserves in Australia has waxed and waned across the past two centuries, from an early situation of primacy in the colonial period. The importance of reserves has reemerged in the post–Cold War era, with new forms of reserve organization evolving alongside ‘‘conventional’’ reserve forces. The authors discuss the extent to which these developments need to be accompanied by attention to cultural and personnel management issues and to enhanced reserves–regular integration. Despite the challenge of juggling civilian employment with reserve commitments, most reservists appear to welcome a greater, rather than a token, obligation to serve. There is a viable and meaningful role for the reserves provided that the Australian Defence Force and the government are prepared to devote sufficient effort to them and to assign them appropriate tasks.

Injuries in Australian Army full-time and part-time personnel undertaking basic training

“…Although it was not measured in this study, the shorter duration of basic training for ARES recruits may result in lower aerobic fitness gains than those made by recruits undertaking the longer ARA basic training course. This would mean that part-time personnel must improve their fitness after basic training or experience a greater level of injury risk if they are to be expected to work alongside full-time forces, completing the same tasks, in later years [29]. Recent research suggests that this heightened injury risk in part-time army personnel, per unit of time served, may in fact be a reality [5].…”

A Detailed Analysis of Serious Personal Injuries Suffered by Full Time and Part Time Soldiers of the Australian Army

“…The Australian Army, similar to military units worldwide, is composed of both full time and part time soldiers 1 . To maintain optimal functioning of the military unit both the Australian Regular Army (ARA) and Australian Army Reserves (ARES) are exposed to the vigorous occupational demands of military service 2 . Military service is known to expose personnel in both populations to serious injuries, through activities including physical training (PT) and military operations 2 .…”

“…To maintain optimal functioning of the military unit both the Australian Regular Army (ARA) and Australian Army Reserves (ARES) are exposed to the vigorous occupational demands of military service 2 . Military service is known to expose personnel in both populations to serious injuries, through activities including physical training (PT) and military operations 2 . In this context, a Serious Personal Injury (SPI) is defined as an injury which requires immediate in-patient hospitalization or immediate medical treatment, for example, serious lacerations or serious head, eye, or thermal injuries 3 .…”

A Comparison of Work Health and Safety Incidents and Injuries in Part-Time and Full-Time Australian Army Personnel

“…3 Active service of this nature is becoming more common, and these part-time personnel are no longer considered to be backup personnel but rather integral to the successful functioning of the full-time forces. 4 It is important that the medical teams, which include athletic trainers, physical therapists, and other allied health practitioners, working with these populations understand how mechanisms of injury and injury rates in reservists differ from those in fulltime, regular soldiers in order to properly care for this challenging population.…”

“…Part-time soldiers now contribute to approximately 10% of Australian 4 and United Kingdom forces. 5 In the United States, reservists make up approximately 50% of personnel fighting current conflicts.…”