4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
Badge of the Royal Australian Regiment
Active	1st February 1964-Present
Country	Australia
Branch	Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Commando
Part of	Special Operations Command
Garrison/HQ	Holsworthy
Nickname	The Fighting Fourth
Motto	Duty First
March	Inverbrackie
Commanders
Colonel-in-Chief	HM The Queen (Australian Infantry Corps)
Insignia
Unit Colour Patch

The 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment or 4 RAR (Cdo), is one of the battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment and is one of three combat capable groups within the Australian Special Operations Command (the other two being the SASR and 1st Commando Regiment). It is the only battalion of the Australian Army which requires members to undergo a rigorous selection process prior to gaining entry. Training for 4RAR upon completion of the commando training course consists of several more specialist school including urban and Commando amphibious operations courses, climbing, special forces weapons, Special Forces parachute course as well as many other specialist courses. Image File history File links Royal_Australian_Regiment_Badge. ... (Redirected from 1st February) February 1 is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... The Australian Army is Australias military land force. ... SOCOMD Badge Wyvern with Acies Acuta Soldiers from Special Operations Command during a demonstration held for the Media in May 2003 The Special Operations Command (SOC) is the newest branch of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). ... Holsworthy Barracks is located in the outer south-western suburbs of Sydney. ... Elizabeth II in an official portrait as Queen of Canada (on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002, wearing the Sovereigns badges of the Order of Canada and the Order of Military Merit) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary) (born 21 April 1926), styled HM The... Image File history File links 4RAR_UCP.PNG‎ Unit Colour Patch of 4RAR I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO military graphic symbols A battalion is a military unit usually consisting of between two and six companies and typically commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. ... The Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) is the parent regiment for regular infantry battalions of the Australian Army. ... SOCOMD Badge Wyvern with Acies Acuta Soldiers from Special Operations Command during a demonstration held for the Media in May 2003 The Special Operations Command (SOC) is the newest branch of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). ... The Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) is a Special Forces regiment modelled on the original British SAS and also drawing on the traditions of the Australian World War II Z Special Force commando unit, as well as the Independent Companies which were active in the South Pacific during the same... 1st Commando Regiment is a mixed regular and reservist commando regiment of the Australian Army. ... The Australian Army is Australias military land force. ...

History

The raising of a regular battalion

On 18 January 1952, a Royal Australian Regiment Depot was raised as a training unit for special establishment on the Order of Battle. The Depot was later renamed 4 RAR on 10 Mar 52. This renaming was necessary because Government approval had been given to raise a Battalion and not a ‘Depot’. The primary function of 4 RAR at the time was to train and hold infantrymen for service in Korea. On 24 March 1960, the unit was incorporated into the School of Infantry as ‘Depot Company, Royal Australian Regiment’. The two units comprised resulted in the formation of the Infantry Centre [1]. January 18 is the 18th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1952 (MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) is the parent regiment for regular infantry battalions of the Australian Army. ... Korea (Korean: 한국 or ì¡°ì„ , see below) is a geographic area, civilization, and former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. ... March 24 is the 83rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (84th in leap years). ... 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1960 calendar). ...

The political decision to raise the fourth battalion of The Royal Australian Regiment was made in 1963 [2]. Consequently, instructions for the raising of the Battalion were issued on 13 January 1964. The official raising of 4 RAR on 1 February 1964 was the first time a regular infantry Battalion had been raised on Australian soil. Additionally, it was stated that this battalion was a new battalion and not a resurrection of the old 4 RAR. January 13 is the 13th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... February 1 is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ...

With the reorganisation of the Army during 1973 due to the cessation of National Service, 2 RAR and 4 RAR were linked on 15 August 1973, to form 2nd/4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2/4 RAR).[3] August 15 is the 227th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (228th in leap years), with 138 days remaining. ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... The 2nd/4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (2/4 RAR) was an Australian Army infantry battalion. ...

2/4 RAR was charged with the task of preserving the traditions, associations, museums and proprietorship of the two original battalions from which it was formed until such time as the linking was annulled. Because of this, all ranks of 2/4 RAR were aware of the history of both 2 RAR and 4 RAR and jealously preserved these traditions, whilst working hard to establish a distinctive image for their Battalion.

Between 1977 and 1979 2/4 RAR concentrated on conventional warfare including night and mounted operations. On 1 July 1980, the unit was re-organised on light scales and trained as part of the Operational Deployment Force (ODF) in close country and conventional warfare operations. July 1 is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 183 days remaining. ... 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... Traditionally light infantry (or skirmishers) were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. ...

On 1 Feb 82, with the official replacement of the title 'Task Force' with 'Brigade', 2/4 RAR became a unit of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. The Battalion was placed on operational readiness in 1987 and 1990. On each occasion the Battalion was prepared to evacuate Australian citizens from Pacific region countries experiencing civil disturbance. The Australian 3rd Brigade is an infantry brigade. ... 11th Battalion posing on the Great Pyramid of Giza, 1915. ...

From 1990 to 1993 many individual soldiers from the Battalion served with the United Nations in Cambodia. In 1993, 54 soldiers from the Battalion were detached to 1RAR for operational service in Somalia as part of Operation Solace. In May 1993, 2/4 RAR was tasked to provide a Rifle Platoon for Operation Gemini in Cambodia. 12 Platoon Delta Company, deployed to Cambodia tasked with providing local security for Australian Army Aviation Assets. Australian soldiers prepare to board a United States Marine Corps helicopter in Somalia Operation Solace was the Australian Defence Forces main contribution to humanitarian efforts in Somalia in 1992. ...

It was during the Battalion's deployment to Rwanda on Operation Tamar in 1994, that the Government made the decision to unlink the 2nd/4th Battalion. This was a result of the 1994 Defence White Paper that identified the need for an additional Infantry Battalion to enhance the Army's capability to meet strategic guidance requirements [4]. The 2nd/4th Battalion was unlinked by the Chief of the General Staff, LTGEN J.C. Grey, AO on a parade at Samichon Lines, Lavarack Barracks, Townsville at 1500 hrs on 1 February 1995. Lavarack Barracks is a major Australian Army base located in Townsville, Queensland. ... Townsville in 2004. ... February 1 is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

From infantry battalion to special forces

In 1996, a decision was made to convert the Battalion to a Special Forces unit and on 1 February 1997 was re-rolled to 4 RAR (Commando). Regular serving members were given the opportunity to undertake special forces training or elect a posting to a conventional forces unit. General Reserve positions existed in the new structure and reserve members discharged or posted to GRes units. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... February 1 is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Following the federation of Australia in 1901, the six colonial militias were merged to form a national reserve army. ...

The initial years were busy creating a structure and recruiting members suitable for commando training. Bravo Company was raised first followed by Charlie Company in 1999, both taking 2-3 years to reach full maturity. The pace of battalion life during these development years was hectic with capability development, equipment acquisition and training, focussing every member’s attention [5]. For other uses, see Commando (disambiguation). ...

Current Role

4RAR Commandos conducting fire & movement drills.

Some tasks a commando may be required to perform include but are not limited to: Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

• Accurately employ a range of advanced weapon systems (including night aiming devices);
• Fight at close quarters with weapons;
• Participate in a Commando fighting patrol in both urban and rural operations;
• Destroy targets using explosives;
• Parachute onto land or into water;
• Participate in Tactical Air Land Operations from both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft;
• Embark and disembark from Commando amphibious insertion craft in surf (beach and rocky landings) and from parent craft;
• Ascend and descend vertical obstacles using military roping and caving ladder climbing techniques;
• Operate intra-platoon communications equipment;
• Conduct manual entry to urban structures;
• Comply with the Laws of Armed Conflict (LOAC), Rules of Engagement (ROE) and adhere to Orders for Opening Fire (OFOF);
• Conduct airborne rappelling and fast roping (including suspended extraction); and
• Operate Commando amphibious boats as coxswain / bowman as part of a flotilla.

Organisation

4RAR(Cdo)

• Battalion HQ
• A Company
• B Company
• C Company (Tactical Assault Group (East))
• D Company
• 126 Signal Squadron
• Operations Support Company
• Logistics Support Company

Members of TAG(E) during a demonstration for the media in 2002. ...

Alliances

•  United Kingdom - Irish Guards

Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... This article deals with the current British Army regiment, for historical regiments, see Historical Irish Guards regiments. ...

See also

• 1st Commando Regiment
• Australian Special Air Service Regiment
• UK SFSG
• United States Army Rangers
• Canadian Special Operations Regiment

• 4RAR complete unit history

• Australian Army Commando Employment information

1st Commando Regiment is a mixed regular and reservist commando regiment of the Australian Army. ... The Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) is a Special Forces regiment modelled on the original British SAS and also drawing on the traditions of the Australian World War II Z Special Force commando unit, as well as the Independent Companies which were active in the South Pacific during the same... The Special Forces Support Group (SFSG) is a unit of the United Kingdom Special Forces. ... The 75th Ranger Regiment —also known as the United States Army Rangers— is a light infantry special operations force of the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC); with headquarters in Fort Benning, Georgia. ... The Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) is a highly trained high mobility force that is capable of independent operations as well as supporting both special and conventional operations forces. ...

Sources

• Official Website of the 4RAR (under construction as of 13/3/2006)
• Australian SF Community
• Defence Jobs Website
• Commando operations in Afghanistan - September 2006