On February 20, Blamey Barracks, 'home of the soldier', welcomed hundreds of family members and loved ones who watched from the grandstands as 124 recruits eagerly marched out on the parade ground.
It marked a milestone for 1st Recruit Training Battalion (1RTB), as the largest march-out Kapooka has hosted in decades.
For Corporal David Murray, of 25 Platoon, Charlie Company, it marked another proud moment in his career since enlisting in Brisbane in 2014.
Ahead of stepping out in ceremonial dress, Corporal Murray said the mood among the recruits was a mix of anticipation and excitement.
"Super excited, super nervous," Corporal Murray said.
"We keep things pretty relaxed - lots of music, no yelling - it's their last day being a recruit.
"One of the highlights of Kapooka is that last day."
Three Section, under Corporal Murray's command, earned both the Drill Trophy and Best Section Trophy, awarded for highest overall performance across the entire recruit training course.
"Three Section got referred to as the jet section," he said.
"A lot of different backgrounds. It was really good to see them come in as individuals and mould into a well-oiled machine.
"It's a massive testament to them and also nice warm fuzzies for me. The training obviously worked."
'Seeing someone come in off the street and in 11 weeks be a completely different person, it's crazy seeing the transformation they don't see themselves.'
Managing 124 recruits through the 11-week program demanded significant effort from instructors across 25 and 26 Platoon.
"Especially during those first couple weeks. When you have such a large volume of recruits, it's double the amount of work," Corporal Murray said.
"It's tough, long hours, frustrating. But nine times out of 10, the rewarding stuff makes up for it.
"Seeing someone come in off the street and in 11 weeks be a completely different person, it's crazy seeing the transformation they don't see themselves."
The parade also signified the final march-out under the 11-week model, as 1RTB transitions to the 13-week training program.
Officer Commanding Training Support Company, Major Stacey Brown, said the redevelopment strengthened Army's foundation soldier training.
"We need a program that is threat-informed, contemporary and able to produce soldiers who are better prepared for the demands of the integrated force," Major Brown said.
"The 13-week model builds stronger field craft, better decision-making under pressure and improved resilience.
"It places greater emphasis on combat physical conditioning, survivability, lethality and water-based confidence."
Major Brown said the redesign, driven by Land Combat College with support from 1RTB and Army training authorities, also improved sustainability for recruits and instructors.
"The new sequencing spreads complex activities more evenly across the course with lower tempo periods allowing more time for revision and reflections, reducing overall fatigue," Major Brown said.
She said recruit instructors felt positive about the new training model.
"They recognise that the new program gives them more time to shape recruits into confident, competent soldiers," Major Brown said.
"General sentiment is that this model enables them to do their job more effectively."
