Considering joining the Defence Forces as a CIS/Communications Operator. Should I go for Army, Air Corps or Naval Service? Looking for honest experiences and advice
Hi all,
I'm seriously considering applying for the Communications Operator (Recruit Training Pathway) and would really appreciate some honest opinions from current or former CIS/Communications Operators.
I'm 28 and probably at a point where I need a bit more direction and consistency in my life. I've bounced around different jobs over the years and, although I have goals and things I want to build, I've struggled with the discipline and consistency needed to actually stick with them.
I've always been very interested in computers and technology though. I've built PCs for myself and friends, worked in the PC department in Harvey Norman, and have been messing around with computers since I was young. So the CIS side of the Defence Forces really caught my attention because I'd like to develop proper networking/IT skills while also getting the structure, discipline, fitness and general life experience that I feel I'm missing.
My longer-term goal would ideally be to come out of the Defence Forces with skills/qualifications that are actually useful in civilian IT — particularly networking, infrastructure or potentially cybersecurity. At the same time, I'm not completely opposed to staying in the Defence Forces longer-term if I end up enjoying the lifestyle and career.
Where I'm getting stuck is which service to go for — Army, Air Corps or Naval Service.
At the moment I'm leaning towards the Naval Service. I've heard they're relatively short on personnel and that there can potentially be good opportunities for progression, and obviously there are sea days/allowances as well. But I'm not sure how much of that is actually true versus something I've just heard, so I'd be interested to hear from people currently serving.
I'm also trying to balance this with some personal goals outside the military. I'd like to continue building a small marketing services business and eventually develop a personal brand/business around that. Part of the reason I'm considering the Defence Forces in the first place is because I desperately need to develop the discipline and consistency to actually follow through on things.
So I'd particularly love to hear from people who have actually done CIS/Communications work:
What is the day-to-day job really like?
How much actual IT/networking do you get to do versus general military duties?
Did the job live up to what you expected when you joined?
Were you disappointed by anything?
Do you feel like you came out with genuinely useful IT/networking skills?
Did you get qualifications/certifications that helped you afterwards?
For anyone who left after their contract, what sort of civilian IT jobs were you able to get?
Did your Defence Forces experience actually help you get those jobs?
If you could go back and choose Army vs Air Corps vs Naval Service again, would you choose the same one?
And for anyone in the Naval Service specifically, is the stuff about progression/sea pay/opportunities actually as good as people make it sound?
I'd genuinely like to hear the good, the bad and the disappointing parts.
If you joined as a CIS/Communications Operator and later left for civilian IT, I'd be especially interested in hearing what your experience was like and where you ended up.
Thanks!