Hi there, I applied for the navy last year when I was in year 11, and i have completed all my assessments but pre entry fitness and I am also currently waiting on an enlistment date, but i don’t want to go when I’m fresh out of high school and 18. If I decline my application and withdraw would that hurt my chance of reapplying later on? And does it make it harder?
Hi there, I recently had my ADF career session and put down Space operations officer, Aerospace Engineer and GEOINT specialist as my preferences.
I am 40 and have a diploma in aerospace which I obtained years ago. Should I replace GEOINT with Avionics technician instead?
I am thinking more of picking up a technical skill and certificate that I could use in the far future.
Im off to kapooka soon and have a couple questions regarding luggage.
Firstly id like some clarity on weither or not i can bring books to read. The one i have in mind is a manual for snipers, although i know this is probably asking to get chewed out its either that or other military related books anyway.
Secondly. I am planning on bringing a digital watch with an alarm. Although i know its not permitted to be used, will they confiscate it?
Any tips, tricks or general pointers are welcome.
Cheers
Im in year 11 sem1 right now and my dream is to become a pilot, unfortunately the cost of it is too much so i was looking into the adf and realised i would actually want to be a fixed wing pilot. Im currently doing apps, english, accounting, and japanese for atar (i dont have the option for doing physics/methods) and currently on the road for a 83 atar. I definitely can get higher which is what im aiming for this semester. Has anyone gotten into the adfa or deo with similar scores. Ive been told its extremely competitive. Does anyone have any tip or experience doing it, if so i would really appreciate the insight.
I’m of Pakistani and Tongan descent but was born in NSW. I am a Muslim who practices and I am Australian too bumpkins will say it’s not possible. However I’ve always wanted to join the ADF to be honest. I love this country I was born and bred in. I’ve been to other places around the world and realised this really is the lucky country in my late teens.
Anyways I’ve always had an urge to serve the country but I feel like some of my religious obligations would not be taken into consideration if I joined. (I don’t want to get sent to the Middle East to kill other Muslims and tbh I don’t wanna die fighting an American or “Ally” made war) but in the context of defending the country I would join in a heartbeat.
Is it still even viable for me to still have an urge to join ? Should I just not even bother ? I had a mate who was an ex copper who was in a PTSD veterans group or something like that and from most of the stories he told me. Neither the cops nor the ADF like people such as myself.
Honest advice would be appreciated.
Genuine question: Why does everyone seem to talk down on the ARA compared to the Navy and Air Force?
I’m joining the Australian Regular Army in February 2027 for a trade role, and whenever I read discussions online, there always seems to be people saying the Navy or Air Force have better conditions, better accommodation, better work-life balance, or an easier lifestyle.
Is the Army really that bad, or is it just a different experience?
The reason I’m joining isn’t because I’m looking for the easiest option. I want to challenge myself, build discipline, learn a valuable trade, earn my place, and be able to look back one day and be proud of what I’ve accomplished. If I only cared about comfort, I probably would’ve chosen a different path altogether.
“Do not pray for an easy life. Pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.” — Bruce Lee
Not everything in life that’s easier is necessarily more rewarding. Sometimes the harder road teaches you more about yourself.
I know conditions might be better elsewhere, but I’m trying
to understand whether the criticism of Army is genuinely deserved or if it’s mostly people comparing different lifestyles and priorities.
For those who have served in the Army, Navy, or Air Force, especially in trade roles, would you make the same choice again? Why or why not?
Cheers.
I picked Combat Rescue Operator as my first prefrence for job role and i was really set on it. I got past all my assesments and was just waiting on some medical files from CAHS in WA due to some appointments as a kid. I got the call this morning saying the job role had been filled out and wasn't expected to be available till 2027. Recruitment suggested taking up my 3rd Prefrence, Combat Engineering to get in faster.
I just wanted some insights, both roles are part of RAE. I know you can transfer roles once in the ADF but i am unaware of how difficult this is. Am i better off just waiting till mid 2027 and trying my luck or just going in as a Sapper then transfering over?
Thanks
I am 16, almost finished highschool, and for about 4 years i have wanted to join the commandos. I'm starting my application into infantry in a month or two and am physically and mentally where I want to be but am still trying to better myself.
I have heard from people on reddit and recruiters that there is no guarantee that you will be accepted into the selection entry test let alone selection. Is this true to an extent. In the past 6 months I have worried less on if I will pass selection/be chosen to continue the reinforcement cycle and more on plainly being accepted into the course.
Is there any reasons they would plainly say no to me doing the entry test and selection?
I feel like it would be fair to let everyone have a crack or else they might be missing out on some of the best possible operators because of dumb reasons like grades.
Summary:
What does the application to SF look like between the finish of IET(Singleton) and the Special forces entry test/Selection.
I'm looking at doing an air-force security gap year but have read a lot of negative things about the job online. Does anyone have any more insight into the job or positive things to say, or recommend other ADF gap year jobs?? I imagine even if the work is boring, it's only for one year and training will be a decent portion of that anyway. I am mainly looking for a new experience where I can learn different skills and get paid well. Cheers
i’m 27f, and become a qualified cabinet maker in april of next year. my boss has made it clear he won’t need me when i’m qualified and i’m at a bit of a crossroads for what i should do next. im considering all my options, one of them joining the military.
for women especially, would it be worth joining? my only standout qualifications would be my eventual cabinet making trade, an inattentive issue with my brain (that i take stuff for) and im gay. i also live in rural qld but i believe the closest base to me in rosewood
would my trade be valuable for the military? is it even safe enough to join as a woman? and as a lesbian woman? i know attitudes have changed around who can join, etc but ive never heard anyone really speak on being a gay woman in the army, just gay males.
i genuinely know nothing about the military so please consider all these questions good faith! i want to make an informed deduction about my future and this is the only place i really know to ask about the army
How often do gay people get discriminated and/or left out of things?
And would I need to shower next to other dudes?
I applied for chef gap year
Hi, I’m currently in the process of getting ready to apply to join the reserves. My main concern is from what I’ve read online about parade.
I live in a small rural town approximately 4 and a bit hours from a major city (Toowoomba QLD).
Would I have to travel there once a week? It’s approximately 10 hours of travel for a round trip (fuel stops, ect).
It is doable, but I just don’t like the idea of the cost, the wear on my vehicle, plus fatigued driving in a remote area with large kangaroos and potentially loose cattle and horses.
Sorry if this seems like a silly question, but I’d love to know other people experiences from rural areas.
Thank you 😊
Hey crew,
I'm 26 turning 27 this year, in a professional career at the moment, feeling incredibly unfulfilled and very stagnant.
I have a mortgage, a missus and a dog at home.
I'm pretty much looking for a full 180 in my working & personal life, and have always toyed with the idea of joining the ADF, but I suppose never had the courage or the strength to look into it seriously, until now.
I have hundreds of questions, but no one in my life close to me who has served, so no one really to ask.
I suppose the big one is; what branch and jobs are the ideal ones to look for? I initially thought about a trade through the ADF, but then saw some intelligence roles I love the sound of, but also considering life after the ADF, what employment prospects would be most abundant / prosperous. Anyone got any insider intel on that?
And also, frankly how hard and uncomfortable is the interview and training process?
I'm not the blokiest bloke out there, pretty in tune with my emotions and whatnot, don't play footy or AFL either, will I struggle? Is it as hard as how I'm building it up in my mind?
Any general comms around life in and after the ADF would be super appreciated, or even just a DM would be rad
Thanks
Hi all, I'm currently a first year electrical engineering student at UNSW and have recently become interested in the Defense University Sponsorship (DUS) scheme.
I'm aware that it's a massive commitment and I'm not fully sure whether military life would suit me in the long term or if I would have second thoughts later down the line. Because of this I was thinking about doing the Navy Electronics Engineer Gap Year to try and get a better understanding of what I would be committing to through DUS.
However, this idea has recieved mixed opinions from friends and family who think that the gap year is not worth delaying graduation by a year and that i should either commit to DUS or stay on the civilian path of engineering.
I'd really appreciate advice from people who have done the ADF gap year program or who have gone through the DUS pathway, primarily on whether the gap year is a good way to understand Navy engineering life and whether you think it would help provide clarity to the DUS path.
Hey guys,
I finished my Year 10 in an equivalency program via Department of Human Services x TAFE, looking at some ADF roles and unfortunately some of the ones peaking my interest are Year 12 required (typically with passes in English, Math and another STEM subject).
What’s the most effective way to achieve a Year 12 education in the eyes of the ADF?
I’m already working full time so ideally it’s an online or part time study option.
I see tertiary preparation programs with universities, I see a Cert IV in Adult Tertiary Prep with TAFE and I see the ACER ran STAT test to basically sit down and run an exam that results in your ATAR.
Any options I’m missing and which is best for matching the requirements of the ADF?
Thanks all
At the credentialing stage of recruitment.
Noted some senior staff/management know I am applying for ADF army reserves nursing officer.
However I am applying for postgrad studies (this is through my job/hospital) for 2027.
- noted I am not guaranteed to get this position- very competitive at my hospital
I am at the point where I need to tell my workplace including the head of the department (who kinda knows my interest in ADF but doesn’t know currently in process).
My worry is that I won’t get into post grad because they think I’m focusing on ADF/why would they train me if I’m doing ADF. I know they can’t discriminate against me, but it’s thought they’ll have. Due to the competitive nature of post grad I need everything I can get so have been holding off.
Thoughts on how to go about this?
TIA