The Royal Australian Naval Reserve Divers (RANR)
The Royal Australian Naval Reserve has a tremendous history that dates back to 1863 when it was called the NSW Naval Brigade. Since then the RANR has passed through several phases where it was at times independent and at other times a supporting component of the RAN.
It is difficult to ascertain when the RANR Diving Section was formed but it is believed that it was in the 1960s.
It is interesting to note that the highest decorated sailor in WW ll was LCDR Leon Goldsworthy, GC, DSC, GM who was a member of the RANVR and he was decorated for his work in mine clearance which of course was the pre-curser to Clearance Diving.
Today the RANR is an integrated part of the RAN and members of the RANR serve with permanent naval forces to fill gaps created for a variety of reasons. The RANR comprises a mix of ex RAN and civilian personnel from all walks of life.
It is important to understand that RANR Naval Divers are categorized alongside RAN Clearance Divers as members of the Combat and Security sector. RANR Naval Divers are the only ratings in the RANR to be so categorized in combat roles.
To quote from the official RAN web site:
“Naval Diver training is tough, the work environment tougher, but this unique position is made for anyone with the desire for an underwater career.”
Job Details:
Australian Naval Reserve Divers (DVRs) are trained to undertake military tasks using Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) and Surface Supplied Breathing Apparatus (SSBA) using Air to a depth of 30 metres.
The basic functions of the DVR after initial training include service within the Force Element Group (FEG) / Naval Reserve Diving Teams (NRDTs) to perform tasks including, but not limited to:
Hull searches for explosive devices;
Clearing intended berths;
Searches for lost naval stores in shallow water; and
Underwater ship maintenance.
Reserve Divers supplement Clearance Diving Teams in Australia. Reserve Divers can be employed in a number of geographical locations but must live within a 150 kilometre radius of the local Diving Team. Current employment locations include service in the following Permanent Navy (PN) areas:
AUSCDT 1 HMAS WATERHEN – Sydney; and
AUSCDT 4 HMAS STIRLING – Perth.
With further opportunities existing outside the Permanent Naval areas, in the NRDTs as follows:
NRDT6 Melbourne;
NRDT8 Brisbane;
NRDT9 Adelaide;
NRDT10 Hobart;
NRDT11 Darwin; and
NRDT12 Cairns.
Note: Applicants for Naval Reserve Divers do not require previous diving experience but must live within a 150 kilometre radius of the local Diving Team.
Entry:
As a trained member of the Active Naval Reserve, Naval Divers are obligated to serve a minimum of 20 days per year but may work up to 200 days per financial year in approved positions.
Unlike the Army and Air Force that set aside specific days for meeting minimum attendance requirement, in the Navy, Divers seek employment in either Funded Reserve Commitment positions, Project work or Permanent Navy vacancies. This means that divers will effectively contribute to Navy capability rather than just parading. Divers will be assisted to find work by either the Mine Warfare or Clearance Diving Force Element Group or through advertising material provided to Reserves on a weekly basis and passed on through the RANCDA communications network.
Reserve personnel may volunteer for a period of full-time service with the Permanent Navy, provided the member’s services are required.
General Requirements:
Age Requirement:
Applicants must be aged between 17 and 53 years inclusive.
Applicants will not normally be allowed to enter the ADF until they achieve a minimum of 17 years of age, however they may be able to initiate the application process from 16 years and six months of age, depending upon the capacity of their local recruiting centre.
Security Requirement:
The Department of Defence requires ADF entrants including those that wish to be RANR Divers to attain a security clearance appropriate to their avenue of entry. A process of background checks, collection of relevant information and, as required, interviews enables the Regional Security Office to make an informed assessment of an applicant’s suitability for a security clearance.
Current policy requires applicants for this particular avenue of entry to have lived in Australia for the preceding 5 years, or at least have a checkable background for this period.
Aptitude Requirement:
Aptitude testing is undertaken to assess your ability to cope with the strenuous training and intellectual demands placed on you whilst serving as a Naval Diver in the ADF. The standards are sound and realistic in expectation, with psychology support staff explaining what is involved with each test.
Education Requirements:
To become a Naval Diver in the RANR applicants must have successfully completed a minimum of Year 10 with a pass in English and Mathematics. Any form of Maths eg Maths in Society, Social Maths is acceptable for non-tech entry into the RANR.
A Certificate in Adult General Education (CAGE) is an acceptable education substitute for the Year 10 Certificate, for Mathematics and English, or
If you do not satisfy the education requirements necessary to become a Naval Diver or do not possess evidence of educational attainment there is an alternative pathway available. Applicants may sit an Alternative Education Equivalency (AEE) Assessment to ascertain the applicant’s ability at the required educational level for RANR Naval Diver.
Medical & Fitness Requirements:
To be enlisted or appointed, you must be medically and physically fit for entry to your chosen occupation. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering medical history, followed by a comprehensive physical examination. Fitness to dive is a very high standard and is significantly higher than general duty medical fitness.
Applicants must also pass the swim test and physical fitness test to graduate from your Navy Training and to proceed to the Safety of Life at Sea Training that is a requirement for Recruit School and Officer training.
Navy Swim Test
The Navy Swim test consists of:
A safety jump off a 3m tower in overalls;
10m underwater swim in overalls;
50m swim using three safety strokes; and
Tread water or float for 15 mins (removal of overalls optional).
Period of Service:
RANR Naval Divers are enlisted for an initial fixed period of service of 3 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered to Divers subject to the requirements of the ADF and the applicant’s suitability for further service.
Military Training:
Training for entry into the Naval Reserve (NR) Recruits comprises three phases as follows:
Phase 1. This training is residential, undertaken at the Navy Recruit School, located at HMAS Cerberus, Westernport, Victoria, over 19 days (including weekends). Naval Reserve Recruits will join general intake recruits for three weeks of training that includes ‘kitting up’, swimming test, general induction (rites of passage), basic naval knowledge, parade training, and weapons firing. Applicants for the Naval Diver category will undertake Phase 1 upon enlistment.
Phase 2. Distance Learning. This is a task book containing 10 modules that can be completed by the Naval Diver applicant within a 12-month time frame. Progress and assistance is provided by the Naval Reserve Initial Entry Training Team (located at HMAS Creswell and Cerberus).
Phase 3. This training is residential, undertaken at the RAN Recruit School, HMAS Cerberus and focuses on sea skills over a 13 day period. It includes the Combat Survivability (Basic) course (firefighting, damage control, leak, stop and repair and chemical defence), Survival at Sea and First Aid Training. RANR Naval Diver applicants are required to complete Phase 3 within twelve months from enlistment.
On completion of all three phases, recruits are promoted to SMNDVR, which then allows the member to progress to category/employment training.
Alternatively if the Reserve member has the time available, they are able to join their permanent Navy counterparts and complete the full-time eleven week Recruit Training Course.
RANR Naval Diver Employment Training:
Training Program:
Basic Seamanship – 4 weeks at HMAS CERBERUS, near Melbourne, VIC;
SCUBA (Air) Course 3 weeks at HMAS PENGUIN Diving School, near Sydney, NSW;
SSBA (Air) Course 1 week at HMAS PENGUIN, near Sydney, NSW; and
Underwater Tools 1 week at HMAS PENGUIN, near Sydney, NSW.
