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Within the Battalion, the Pipes and Drums are required to maintain the skills of four roles.
Infantry
Members of the Pipes and Drums are all qualified Infantry Soldiers, having completed Basic Training and Infantry Initial Employment Training before entering the Battalion.
Once in the Battalion they recieve the extra training required to become Mechanized Infantry.
All members are required to maintain their Infantry skills including fieldcraft and the use of personel weapons. Weapon skills maintained include;
F88 Steyr
F89 Minimi
84mm Carl Gustov
66mm SRAAW
GLA 40mm Grenade Launcher
F1 Grenade
Armoured
Between 1976 and 1978, 5/7RAR conducted Mech trials with a company's worth of vehicles. In 1984 the Battalion became fully Mechanized and continues to maintain this unique capability within the Australian Army.
The M113a1 family of Vehicles entered sevice with the Australian Army in 1965 and continues to soldier on in units such as 5/7RAR.
All members of the Platoon are required to complete a Drivers Course and later a Crew Commanders Course which enables them to crew the Platoon's Ambulances and all other vehicles in the M113 Family should the need arise. During these courses, soldiers learn how to drive and service the vehicle, fire the .50 cal and .30cal Machine Guns as well as operate the Radios.
The M113a1 Family
Combat First Aid
The traditional wartime role of Pipes and Drums within the Battalion is as Stretcher Bearers. This role has been modernised with increased medical training and a greater resposibility with the use of drugs such as Morphine to become what is now refered to as Combat First Aid. All members of the Platoon undergo an intense three week course on advanced First Aid and have to recertify annually on skills such as the use of drugs, Canulation and various types of wound dressings.
Musicians
When a Soldier arrives in the Platoon he has the option of becoming a Piper or a Drummer and all members are required to have a working knowledge on the B flat Bugle. Training is conducted at the Pipes and Drums section, Defense Force School of Music in Watsonia, Victoria and include Basic through to Advanced Piper/Drummer/Bugler and Drum Majors Courses.
