7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment

7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
Badge of the Royal Australian Regiment
Active1965–1973
2007–present
CountryAustralia
BranchAustralian Army
TypeMechanised infantry
Part of9th Brigade
Garrison/HQRAAF Base Edinburgh, Adelaide
Nickname(s)The Pigs
Porky Seven[1]
Motto(s)Duty First
ColoursMaroon
MarchQuick – Australaise (band); Cock o' the North (pipes and drums)
Slow – My Home[2]
Mascot(s)Pig (unofficial)[1]
EngagementsVietnam War War in Afghanistan
DecorationsGallantry Cross Unit Citation (South Vietnam)
Commanders
Current
commander
Lieutenant Colonel Levon Lambert[3][4]
Insignia
Unit colour patch
TartanGordon (pipes and drums)

The 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (7 RAR) is a regular infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally raised in 1965 as part of Australia's commitment to the Vietnam War and it eventually served two tours in Vietnam in 1967 and 1971. In 1973, following Australia's withdrawal from the conflict, the battalion was amalgamated with the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment to form the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (5/7 RAR).

These two units remained linked until 2007, during which time they served together in the mechanised infantry role in East Timor and Iraq. In December 2006 – early January 2007, 5/7 RAR was delinked and 7 RAR was re-raised. In January 2009, 7 RAR achieved operational status, a year ahead of schedule. The battalion deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Slipper in 2008–09 and 2012–13. Following its return in 2013 it was converted into a standard infantry battalion. As of late October 2022 it forms part of the 9th "Heavy" Brigade (Australia) and is based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in Adelaide with the 1st Armoured Regiment.

  1. ^ a b "7 RAR". Digger History. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference rarorg was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "LtCol Levon 'Von' Lambert". 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Association. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Club Luncheon: Celebrating 30-Year Members". Naval, Military and Air Force Club of South Australia. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.