Then and now: Jobs in the Australian defence forces

Occupation: aeroplane pilot

Pilots can fly different types of planes, large or small.

Vietnam War

Pilots had very important jobs in the war. Lots of people relied on them. They flew people to and from battle zones. They also carried food and supplies to troops on the ground. Sometimes they dropped bombs from the planes. Pilots during the Vietnam War flew their planes in dangerous situations.

Present day

Since then pilots have continued to do vital work. They help civilians during natural disasters like fires and floods. They also support the Army and the Navy during times of conflict. Today some pilots fly enormous aeroplanes. These planes can transport very large equipment, like vehicles, from place to place.

Learn more about these huge planes.

Occupation: armoured vehicle crew

Armoured vehicle crew are the people trained to work inside protected vehicles. They know how to drive them and fix them.

Vietnam War

During the war, crews travelled through enemy territory in these vehicles. Their job was to destroy enemy bases. They also carried troops to and from combat zones. The armoured vehicles cleared paths in the thick jungle. This helped the soldiers move through the dense bush. It also helped protect them from hidden enemy soldiers.

Present day

Today, the defence force uses armoured vehicles in similar ways during conflicts. Our crews also train with the defence forces of other countries in case of conflict.

Occupation: army engineer

Vietnam War

Australian Army engineers had many essential jobs in the war. Army engineers are also called sappers. They rebuilt roads, bridges and buildings that were damaged or destroyed. Sometimes their work was very dangerous. Engineers checked underground tunnels to see if the enemy was hiding there. They also made booby-traps and mines safe for soldiers who had to walk through areas where these weapons were used. The sappers' work helped the local people to have clean water, shelter, food and roads to travel on.

Present day

Today, people who live in or near war zones are helped by sappers. Sappers train in Australia and overseas. They help to clean up after natural disasters.

Occupation: army signals and communications personnel

People in signals and communications jobs get information to those who need it. It is important that messages are sent and received quickly.

Vietnam

Internet, email and mobile phones were not used in the war. They had not been invented yet. Messages were sent over the radio, and anyone could hear the radio messages. Even the enemy. Radio operators used secret codes so the enemy could not understand. Radio communication was not very good. Sometimes radio messages did not transmit when they were sent. This could create danger.

Present day

Today, communication happens in many different ways. Connecting with the people you work with is easier. Signals and communications people can send messages via satellite or the internet.

Occupation: nurse

Nurses treat people who are injured, sick or dying. They help other medical workers like doctors.

Vietnam War

Nurses did their jobs in difficult conditions during the war. Often they did not have access to the same supplies they could get in Australian hospitals. Nurses helped people who needed emergency care. This meant they also worked in operating theatres. In the wards, nurses cared for Australians and others who were sick. Sometimes the nurses went to the villages to help the local people.

Present day

Today, nurses do some parts of their jobs very differently. This is because of new technology. Nurses also have more responsibilities than ever before. They have always worked hard to make people well.