Battalions re-linked at parade

Amid three volleys of rifle fire and green and yellow smoke, the 5th and 7th Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment (5/7RAR) were once again re-linked during a parade at Robertson Barracks on December 3.

CAPTION: Soldiers of the newly re-linked 5th/7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, march off the parade ground following the unit’s merger at Robertson Barracks. Story and photos by Warrant Officer Class Two Max Bree.

The battalions’ colour parties merged 18 years to the day since the units last separated in 2006, and 51 years since 5/7RAR originally amalgamated in 1973.

Both commanding officers (COs) took charge of their soldiers on parade, before CO 7RAR Lieutenant Colonel Levon Lambert removed the gold lanyard from 5RAR’s CO Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Grogan.

This was replaced with 5/7RAR’s gold-and-maroon lanyard to symbolise Lieutenant Colonel Grogan taking command of 5/7RAR.

CAPTION: Commanding Officer 7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Levon Lambert, affixes the lanyard of newly re-linked 5th/7th Battalion to its new Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Grogan. 

It was a bittersweet day for Lieutenant Colonel Lambert, who started as a platoon commander at 5/7RAR.

“This marks the occasion where 7RAR, as we know it, ceases to exist,” he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Lambert was with the battalion in Afghanistan when 5/7RAR’s flag was lowered and replaced with that of 7RAR.

He went on to deploy with 7RAR twice to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan, while serving 10 years in the unit as a platoon and company commander, along with being the adjutant and operations officer.

“It’s a big moment for me and I share it with my RSM (Regimental Sergeant Major). We had a lot of time together in 7RAR,” he said.

“But the people who are now headed across Army to other battalions and the schools; I think of them the most.”

The majority of 7RAR’s mech-qualified soldiers will go to 3RAR and another portion will be posted to 5/7, while a smaller number will go to other battalions.

“We were raised for Vietnam, then we were raised for service in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Lieutenant Colonel Lambert said.

“7RAR was born for war and our traditions are wholly defined by that idea. That’s our ethos and that’s what I hope we’re remembered for.”

The re-merger was prompted by a positioning of forces to Australia’s north under the Defence Strategic Review. As a result, 5/7RAR will become a light, littoral infantry battalion within the 1st Brigade.

While the newly linked battalion won’t double in size, it will grow by one company, adding about 100 soldiers to 5RAR’s previous 500.

Lieutenant Colonel Grogan paid tribute to 5RAR’s service while looking to reshape the unit’s identity.

“It’s done an outstanding job over that period of time. I think now is a welcome opportunity as we re-link to invest again in the rich history of the 5th/7th Battalion as well,” he said.

CAPTION: A pair of Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters fly over the re-linking parade for the 5th/7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment.

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