The Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RASigs) is one of the 'arms' (combat support corps) of the

Australian Army The Australian Army is the principal land warfare force of Australia, a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Army is commanded by the Chief of Army (CA), wh ...

. It is responsible for installing, maintaining, and operating all types of telecommunications equipment and information systems. The motto of the Signals Corps is ''Certa Cito'' and is translated as 'Swift and Sure', signifying the aim of the signal service – that communication be carried out with maximum speed and certainty. Like their British counterparts, the Royal Australian Corps of Signals' flag and hat badge feature Mercury, the winged messenger of the gods, affectionately referred to by members of the corps as "Jimmy" (the origin dates back to the merge with Engineers when the Engineer's band's Drum Major had a "Jimmy" on his staff). Modern Army

command and control Command and control (abbr. C2) is a "set of organizational and technical attributes and processes ... hatemploys human, physical, and information resources to solve problems and accomplish missions" to achieve the goals of an organization or en ...

systems demand reliable, high-speed transfer of large volumes of data. The communications systems provided by Signals must keep pace with modern information technology. The control of the

electromagnetic spectrum The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of frequencies (the spectrum) of electromagnetic radiation and their respective wavelengths and photon energies. The electromagnetic spectrum covers electromagnetic waves with frequencies ranging fro ...

offers a decisive advantage in modern warfare and

Electronic Warfare Electronic warfare (EW) is any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum (EM spectrum) or directed energy to control the spectrum, attack an enemy, or impede enemy assaults. The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponen ...

, listening to or interfering with enemy electronic transmissions, is a critical contribution by the Signals Corps to the Army's combat capability. On the battlefield, Signals provides commanders with the means of controlling the battle using road and air dispatch services, radio, microwave, and satellite links. A high technology computer switched digital network, capable of providing a high quality, high capacity, secure communications network is being introduced. The Corps has recently taken over the responsibility for Army Information Systems. Signal Corps personnel now control large integrated information systems and are responsible for the installation and operation of

local area network A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers within a limited area such as a residence, school, laboratory, university campus or office building. By contrast, a wide area network (WAN) not only covers a larger ...

s using state-of-the-art computer equipment. Specialist roles in the Corps include: Communication System Operator (known in the Corps as "Operators"), Telecommunications Technician (known as "Techs" or "Techies"), Electronic Warfare Operator (known as "Bears" from being primarily posted to a base near Cabarlah (Koala), Queensland) and Information Systems Technician (known as "Geeks").

History

Australia has the unique distinction of having had the first regularly formed signal unit in the

British Empire The British Empire was composed of the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts e ...

. The Corps began in 1869 as a small "torpedo and signals corp", located in

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

and

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada * Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory * Victoria, Seychelle ...

. These units existed until 1882 when they were disbanded. In 1885, a "signalling corps", composed of one officer and twelve other ranks, was created in

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...

and remained active until 1901. After the inception of the Commonwealth Forces, an "Australian Corps of Signallers" was formed on 12 January 1906. This day is recognised as the Signal Corps' birthday. The Corps remained as a self-contained unit until 1911 when it was merged with Australian Engineers. On 1 January 1925, the Australian Corps of Signals was formed and all Signals units were separated from the Australian Corps of Engineers. At the conclusion of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

, a silver salver was presented to the Australian Corps of Signals by Princess Mary as a memento of the co-operation between the Royal Corps of Signals and the Australian Corps of Signals throughout the Second World War. On 10 November 1948, His Majesty King George VI conferred the title "Royal" on the Australian Corps of Signals. The day is recognised a "Corps Day", and commemorative functions are held on, or as near as possible to, 10 November each year. Approval was given by Her Royal Highness,

Princess Anne Anne, Princess Royal (Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise; born 15 August 1950), is a member of the British royal family. She is the second child and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and the only sister of K ...

, The

Princess Royal Princess Royal is a style customarily (but not automatically) awarded by a British monarch to their eldest daughter. Although purely honorary, it is the highest honour that may be given to a female member of the royal family. There have been se ...

, the Signals Corps' Colonel-in-Chief, on 10 September 1980 for the Corps to carry a banner bearing her Cipher. The banner is known as "The Princess Anne Banner", and was presented to the Signals Corps by the then Governor-General, The Right Honourable Sir Ninian Stephen on 29 November 1986. On 5 July 2000, a parade was held for her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, The Princess Royal at

Simpson Barracks Simpson Barracks is an Australian Army facility in the suburb of Yallambie in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is named after Major General Colin Hall Simpson, Signals Officer-in-Charge of Allied Land Forces during the Second World War. Simpso ...

, Watsonia, marking the 75th anniversary of the Corps. In the Australia Day Honours List, 2014. The FCU Cambodia was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation. The Citation is kept in trust with the DFSS. The Citation streamer “FCU Cambodia” is affixed to the head of The Princess Anne Banner. In addition, FCU members and AFP were invited to receive the keys to the City of Sydney on 9/9/1993. About 350 members were on parade. *(Platypus No41 AFP)

Structure

The Royal Australian Signals Corps has a number of regiments and squadrons which support

Regular Army A regular army is the official army of a state or country (the official armed forces), contrasting with irregular forces, such as volunteer irregular militias, private armies, mercenaries, etc. A regular army usually has the following: * a standin ...

Army Reserve A military reserve force is a military organization whose members have military and civilian occupations. They are not normally kept under arms, and their main role is to be available when their military requires additional manpower. Reserve ...

, and

Special Operations Special operations (S.O.) are military activities conducted, according to NATO, by "specially designated, organized, selected, trained, and equipped forces using unconventional techniques and modes of employment". Special operations may include ...

units and Formations. The Australian Army's two Divisions and each Regular Army Brigade have a Signal Regiment directly supporting their Headquarters, Special Operation Regiments are supported by an Independent Signal Squadron. In January 2021, the 8th Signal Regiment was established as a National Signal Regiment. Under the new structure, Independent Signal Squadrons within the

were amalgamated under the command of the Regimental Headquarters. Whilst the Squadrons are now under the command of 8th Signal Regiment, they are responsible for providing direct support to Reserve Brigades located within their respective states and territories.

Regular Army

* 1st Signal Regiment – 1st Division in

Enoggera, Queensland Enoggera is a north-western suburb in the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is home to the Gallipoli Barracks. Geography Enoggera is by road north-west of the Brisbane GPO. The west of the suburb is dominated by Enoggera Hill () ...

** HQ Squadron ** 100th Logistic Support Squadron ** 101 Signal Squadron * 1st Combat Signal Regiment – 1st Brigade in Darwin ** Operational Support Squadron ** 104th Signal Squadron ** 105th Signal Squadron * 3rd Combat Signal Regiment – 3rd Brigade in

Townsville Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Queensland, Australia. With a population of 180,820 as of June 2018, it is the largest settlement in North Queensland; it is unofficially considered its capital. Estimated resident population, 3 ...

** HQ Squadron ** 102nd Signal Squadron ** 103rd Signal Squadron * 7th Combat Signal Regiment – 7th Brigade in

** HQ Squadron ** 139th Signal Squadron ** 140th Signal Squadron * 7th Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare) – 6th Brigade in Cabarlah ** 71st Squadron ** 72nd Squadron ** 73rd Squadron ** 138th Signal Squadron ** Operations Support Squadron * 145th Signal Squadron – 17th Sustainment Brigade in Sydney

Army Reserve

* 8th Signal Regiment – 2nd Division,

Randwick Barracks Randwick Army Barracks is a military base in Sydney, Australia. It is the base for a number of support and Australian Army Reserve units. List of units 1st Division * 39th Operational Support Battalion 2nd Division * Headquarters, 2nd Divi ...

in Sydney ** 141st Signal Squadron - Supporting the 11th Brigade at

Gallipoli Barracks Enoggera Barracks (also known as Gallipoli Barracks) is an Australian Army base in the northwestern Brisbane suburb of Enoggera in Queensland, Australia. It was officially established in the early 20th century when the area was used for field ...

in Brisbane and

Lavarack Barracks Lavarack Barracks is a major Australian Army base located in Townsville, Queensland. Lavarack Barracks is currently home to the Army's 3rd Brigade and 11th Brigade. Elements of the 3rd Brigade based at the Barracks include the Combat Signal ...

in Townsville **142nd Signal Squadron - Supporting the 5th Brigade at

Holsworthy Barracks Holsworthy Barracks is an Australian Army military barracks, located in the Heathcote National Park in Holsworthy approximately from the central business district, in south-western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The barracks is part of ...

in Liverpool ** 143rd Signal Squadron - Supporting the 5th Brigade and 2nd Division from

HMAS Harman HMAS ''Harman'' is a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) base that serves as a communications and logistics facility. The main base is located in the Australian capital of Canberra, and is geographically recognised as the suburb of Harman (postcode 2 ...

in Canberra **144th Signal Squadron - Supporting the 9th Brigade at

Keswick Barracks Keswick Barracks is a barracks of the Australian Army in Keswick, South Australia Keswick() is an inner south-western suburb of Adelaide, adjacent to the park lands, and located in the City of West Torrens. The suburb is home to the Keswic ...

in Adelaide **108th Signal Squadron - Supporting the 4th Brigade at

in Melbourne and from Derwent Barracks in Hobart ** 109th Signals Squadron - Supporting the 13th Brigade at Irwin Barracks in Perth ** Operational Support Squadron - Supporting the 2nd Division at

in Sydney

Special Operations Command

* 126th Signal Squadron (

2nd Commando Regiment The 2nd Commando Regiment is a special forces unit of the Australian Army and is part of Special Operations Command. The regiment was established on 19 June 2009 when the 4th Battalion RAR (Commando) was renamed. It is based at Holsworthy, ...

) in

Holsworthy, New South Wales Holsworthy is a suburb in south-western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia 31 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Liverpool. Holsworthy is most notable for ...

* 152nd Signal Squadron (

Special Air Service Regiment The Special Air Service Regiment, officially abbreviated SASR though commonly known as the SAS, is a special forces unit of the Australian Army. Formed in 1957, it was modelled on the British SAS sharing the motto, "Who Dares Wins". The re ...

) in

Perth Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth i ...

* 301st Signal Squadron ( 1st Commando Regiment) in

Randwick, New South Wales Randwick is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Randwick is located 6 kilometres south-east of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the City of Ra ...

Colours

The Royal Australian Corps of Signals has two sets of colours, tactical and domestic. The Tactical colours are White on Royal blue. White symbolises the ribbons wound on the Caduceus of the god

Hermes Hermes (; grc-gre, wikt:Ἑρμῆς, Ἑρμῆς) is an Olympian deity in ancient Greek religion and Greek mythology, mythology. Hermes is considered the herald of the gods. He is also considered the protector of human heralds, travelle ...

and the Blue representing the Royal Colours. The domestic colours, sky blue on dark blue on dark green, represent the three mediums of communication: air, sea, and land.

Training

Soldiers joining the Signals Corps are given training specific to their field at the Defence Force School of Signals after first graduating from recruit training at the

Army Recruit Training Centre Army Recruit Training Centre (ARTC) is the official name given to the Australian Army's basic training establishment since 1 December 1998. Situated at Kapooka, an outer suburb of Wagga Wagga, in the Riverina region of New South Wales, the Army ...

Kapooka Kapooka is a suburb in the south-west of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia. Kapooka is home to the Department of Defence's Blamey Barracks from where the Army Recruit Training Centre conducts its operations. It is located on the Olympic ...

. The School of Signals is a tri-service educational facility located on

Watsonia, Victoria Watsonia is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 16 km north-east of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the City of Banyule local government area. Watsonia recorded a population of 5,352 at the . History Watsonia ...

. It is the home of the Signals Corps and the centre for defence training in communications and information systems for the Australian Defence Force. The school was previously located at Balcombe, before moving to Watsonia in the late 1960s. though Balcombe was maintained as a training location for some Signals and Army apprentice courses into the 1980s. The School also has an Electronic Warfare wing, called the Joint Telecommunications School, located on Borneo Barracks in Cabarlah, Queensland. After successful completion of the 80-day recruit course at Kapooka, all soldiers joining the Signals Corps, regardless of specialisation, first complete an eight-day Common Corps course which provides basic Royal Australian Corps of Signals skills in radio, line laying and computing and is a prerequisite for all Australian Regular Army RA Sigs trade courses. The course (and most subsequent training) is held at Defence Force School of Signals, Simpson Barracks, Macleod, Victoria. On successful completion of the Common Corps course, students will be placed in a holding platoon while they wait for their trade course to start. During this time students may be placed on other courses, such as driver training. *Communication Systems Operator: Communication Systems Operator training is a 25-week course in which trainees are instructed in the operation and maintenance of military High Frequency (HF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) radios, portable satellite terminals, frequency hopping and cryptographic equipment. Communication Systems Operators will also be trained to deploy computer networks and to operate computer-based communications applications. This training is conducted in a range of simulated environments based upon vehicle and Command Post operations. *Telecommunications Technician: Telecommunications Technician training is a 72-week course that incorporates all aspects of the telecommunications communications equipment used in RA Sigs Units. Subjects include telecommunications cabling, satellite theory and equipment stations, circuit switch networks, docking, telephone systems and local and wide-area computer networks. *Electronic Warfare Operator: The Electronic Warfare Operator course is delivered in two parts due to the security clearance requirements. It trains ARA trainees in Electronic Warfare and Signal Intelligence fundamentals, including basic language skills and typing. **Part One is of 22 weeks duration and is delivered at the Australian Defence Force School of Languages,

RAAF Williams RAAF Williams is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) military air base set across two locations, at Point Cook and Laverton, located approximately south-west of the Melbourne central business district in Victoria, Australia. Both establishm ...

Laverton, Victoria Laverton established in 1886, is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, south-west of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the Cities of Hobsons Bay and Wyndham local government areas. Laverton recorded a population of ...

. **Part Two is of 36 weeks duration and is delivered at Defence Force School of Signals, Electronic Warfare Wing, Borneo Barracks, Cabarlah, Queensland. :To commence Part Two training, trainees must have a Top Secret Positive Vetted (TSPV) clearance, which depending on the individual and on personal history can take from 6 to 12 months to acquire. Both the ADF School of Languages and the Defence Force School of Signals (DFSS) are tri-service training facilities and also train Navy and Air Force personnel. *Information Systems Technician: Training incorporates a wide variety of Information Technology (IT) subjects including fundamentals of computing, diagnosing hardware and software problems, network operating systems, installation of applications and peripheral devices, operating a help desk, data communications and operation of a Deployable Local Area Network (DLAN).

Equipment

Project

Parakeet A parakeet is any one of many small to medium-sized species of parrot, in multiple genera, that generally has long tail feathers. Etymology and naming The name ''parakeet'' is derived from the French wor''perroquet'' which is reflected in ...

is the Army's mobile Battlefield Telecommunications Network (BTN) which was introduced into service in the mid-1990s through Project JP65. At the time of its introduction, Project Parakeet was considered to be a highly advanced military communications system. It included

secure voice Secure voice (alternatively secure speech or ciphony) is a term in cryptography for the encryption of voice communication over a range of communication types such as radio, telephone or IP. History The implementation of voice encryption dat ...

and data trunking services. In 2002, the Defence Force commenced the multi-phase Project JP2072 Battlespace Communications System, including combat net radio and trunk communications replacement. Phase 2A of Project JP 2072 is replacing the ageing fleet of Wagtail (VHF), Raven (VHF/HF) and Pintail (V/UHF) hand-held / man portable tactical radios and the AN/PSC-5 / 5D SATCOM. The Army is introducing new Harris tactical radios:- *

AN/PRC-152 The AN/PRC-152 Multiband Handheld Radio, also known as Harris Falcon III, is a portable, compact, tactical software-defined combat-net radio manufactured by Harris Corporation. It is compliant without waivers to the Joint Tactical Radio System ( ...

handheld (V/UHF) Software Defined Radio (SDR) * AN/PRC-150 manpack (HF) SDR * AN/PRC-117F manpack wideband Satellite Communications (SATCOM) * AN/PRC-117G manpack multiband SATCOM In September 2015, Boeing was awarded Phase 2B to replace Parakeet known as Project Currawong by 2020 using digital wideband voice, data and video services over wireless and wired infrastructure.

Order of precedence

References

External links

*
Royal Australian Corps of Signals' WebsiteAntique Australian military and domestic radio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Royal Australian Corps Of Signals

Signals In signal processing, a signal is a function that conveys information about a phenomenon. Any quantity that can vary over space or time can be used as a signal to share messages between observers. The ''IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing'' ...

Australian army units with royal patronage Military communications of Australia Military units and formations established in 1906 1906 establishments in Australia Military communications corps