Every year in October, Army Logistics Training Centre (ALTC) sends soldiers to Cowley Beach to participate in Exercise Nautical Overland Petros.
This year, 13 petroleum operator trainees joined them, three of whom will begin their initial employment training at ALTC early next year. Three prospective recruits are going through the Defence Force Recruiting process.
It was the first time trainees and recruits had been invited to the exercise, which Army School of Ordnance Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Gareth Humphries deemed a “screaming success”.
“It was the first practical application of individual trade training intersecting with collective training outcomes to achieve increased learning experience,” Lieutenant Colonel Humphries said.
“Exercise Overland Nautical Petros is the one and only time in the year where the trade – petroleum operators – complete, come together to practise the full suite of bulk fuel operations.
“This allows those initial employment trainees to see the full suite of capabilities in action prior to posting.”
‘Seeing what soldiers do on a daily basis and on exercise will help them determine for themselves whether this pathway is right for them.’
Bulk fuel was transferred from a landing craft medium-8 to bladders on shore, 1km inland.
The bulk fuel storage and installation distribution system is a critical capability, which sustains the force and ensures soldiers can continue advancing forward when there is no fixed infrastructure.
It is something only 17th Brigade is capable of doing in the ADF.
The exercise was also designated “green”, with concealing fuel and carrying weapons and body armour.
Sergeant Bryan Hudson, of Defence Force Recruiting, said it helped the recruits understand the role.
“A lot of young people are interested in the job roles offered by Defence, but they often don’t have an understanding of what the job is like,” Sergeant Hudson said.
“Seeing what soldiers do on a daily basis and on exercise will help them determine for themselves whether this pathway is right for them.
“The hope is that these candidates, and hopefully more in the future, can make an informed decision about their own future.
“Most recruits I’ve interacted with see the Australian Army as a combative role in infantry, so bringing them out here to see other trades, which offer transferable qualifications both in and outside Defence, is a bonus.”
‘The hope is that these candidates, and hopefully more in the future, can make an informed decision about their own future.’
Private Dane Thompson said it left him excited about his training and career ahead.
“Getting exposure to it early is going to help not only with my training but, when I get to my unit, my understanding of how everything is all put together,” he said.
“I like the whole aspect of working as a team. Pet-Ops (petroleum operators) seem like a tight-knit group. They like working with each other and they have fun, but they get stuck into it. The job has a physical side to it as well, which I think I quite like.”
Petroleum operator course manager Sergeant Jake Demmery said there was no substitute for experience.
“Back at ALTC, while we do try and simulate real-life taskings, the IETs (initial employment training) that are coming out here are getting live tasks with qualified operators in the field environment,” he said.
“I think, looking forward, it’s definitely a positive output for both the IETs and the qualified soldiers, as they get a bit of a chance to mentor and be mentored.”
