With short notice to move, Army recruits and their skills in the bush were tested during the Regional Force Surveillance Group's (RFSG) Army Indigenous Development Program (AIDP) survival weekend.
Held at Berrimah Close Training Area in Darwin, the survival weekend challenged participants to apply teamwork, adaptability and problem-solving skills in a practical field environment, blending cultural awareness, personal development and military preparation.
Participants learnt valuable survival techniques, while strengthening their understanding of the environment and working together as a team, which AIDP Recruit Auda Wapau said forced him and his fellow recruits to think outside the box to get the job done.
"We [built] shelters and only got given two knives and rope, so we had to forage for everything off the land. We got some vines, trees and stumps, and they came out pretty good," Recruit Wapau said.
"With all the hard work, it's a test on your resilience and team work. [It means] you know what to expect when you do head off to Kapooka. I really liked the starvation part of it as well, to see how long we can go.
"When you don't have food that's when you lose energy and get angry, but teamwork makes the dream work and we got there in the end."
'To see them be tested like this on the survival weekend and come out on top is really pleasing. It shows the program is heading in the right direction.'
After a long day in the bush testing their shelter-building, fire-making and food-sourcing skills in the NT, it was finally time for the group to have some dinner.
"We [had] some buffalo. I hadn't tasted buffalo before. We also [had] some pork and fish, so it was a great night," Recruit Wapau said.
RFSG Commander Colonel Steve Dickie was impressed with what he saw during the activity.
"They're a great group, and they are improving every day as part of the program," Colonel Dickie said.
"To see them be tested like this on the survival weekend and come out on top is really pleasing. It shows the program is heading in the right direction."
Run by the RFSG Regional Training and Education Centre, the AIDP is a 17-week program aimed to build potential Defence recruits' educational and fitness requirements.
Colonel Dickie said the program was designed to build confidence, resilience and life skills that support success in both military and civilian careers.
"The AIDP plays an important role in helping recruits recognise their potential and discover opportunities they may never have otherwise considered," Colonel Dickie said.
