u/AbbreviationsDue3600

G’day everyone,
I’m currently in the pipeline for Navy recruitment, aiming toward an intake for Electronics Technician (ET).
I’m 50 years old. Physically I’m in good shape and completely fine with meeting the fitness standards, and academically/intellectually I feel pretty confident handling the study load for the technical side.
However, looking down the barrel of Recruit School at HMAS Cerberus and the subsequent category/trade school (IETs), I’m keen to get a reality check from people who have been through it or serve alongside mature-age recruits.
A few specific questions for current/former ETs or recent Cerberus grads:

1. Social/Divisional Dynamics at Cerberus: How does the division dynamic work when you’re old enough to be the parent of 80% of the recruits? I’m happy to keep my head down, do the work, and help out the younger recruits where I can, but I’d love to know how staff and division mates generally view guys joining in their 40s/50s.
2. IETs & Category School: I understand the trade training for ET is quite long (roughly 18 months to 2 years at Cerberus depending on holds/streams). How is the lifestyle during category school for mature-age recruits? Are you treated completely like a day-one recruit the whole time, or do you get a bit more leeway once you’re out of 11-week basic?
3. Life at Sea/Fleet: How does the ET rate actually play out on a ship for someone older? From what I gather, "Greenies" have a pretty solid reputation and good job satisfaction, but what’s the day-to-day physical and mental strain like once posted to a frigate/destroyer/patrol boat?
4. General Advice: Anything you wish you knew before doing basic/IETs as a mature recruit?
   Appreciate any insight, straight talk, or advice. Cheers!