Pioneer sergeant

The modern pioneers are fully trained in mine warfare, field defences, including obstacles, explosives, and demolitions, watermanship, water supply, and general engineering tasks.

Upon successfully completing the assault pioneer class one qualification, the soldier, of any rank, is allowed to wear the cross axes to show his trade status.

A tradition, dating perhaps from the early nineteenth century and possibly copied from the French, is that of infantry pioneers wearing full beards.

[3] In Australia, the tradition began in 1965 when Governor-General Lord De L’Isle presented the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR), with its colours.

[1] On being re-posted the outgoing pioneer sergeant has his beard removed by the unit's commanding officer in front of the entire battalion.