Royal Australian Infantry Corps Cap Badge

The Royal Australian Infantry Corps (RA Inf) is the parent corps for all infantry regiments in the Australian Army.

The role of infantry is to seek out and close with the enemy, to kill or capture him, to seize and hold ground and to repel attack by day or night, regardless of season, weather or terrain.

As its role implies, infantry is the major combat element of the Army. This role demands high standards of mental and physical toughness, esprit de corps, battle craft and determination from soldiers, and doubly so from officers who are expected to lead from the front.

Major components of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps include the battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment, and the six state-based Army Reserve infantry regiments. The corps also includes the regional surveillance and special forces units.

The corps was established on 14 December 1948, with its Royal Corps status conferred by His Majesty King George VI. At her coronation in 1953, Queen Elizabeth II became the Colonel-in-Chief of the corps.