r/AusMilitary

▲ 2 r/AusMilitary+2 crossposts

DHOAS Changes 01 July 2026

Is anyone else finding it infuriating that the changes to DHOAS have not been published even though the tender expired 30/06/2026 and we’re now 5 days post?

How can such a major government scheme not follow their own guidelines? It states that the new 7 year panel will be instated from 01/07/2026.

Am I missing a source of information perhaps?

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u/mrpunk281 — 2 days ago

Vale - SGT Blaine Diddams MG - 02 July 12

Sergeant Diddams was born in Canberra, ACT, in 1971. He enlisted in the Army on 24 April 1990 and after completing his initial employment training for infantry was posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in Townsville, Queensland on 2 November 1990.

SGT Diddams successfully completed his SASR selection course and was posted to the Regiment in 1995.

SGT Diddams, or 'Didds' to his mates, was a devoted family man and a dedicated professional soldier. Known for his outwards personality and quirky sense of humour, he was held in the highest regard by his mates and comrades alike.

This would be his seventh tour to Afghanistan (Nov 01 to Apr 02, May to Oct 07, Jan to Apr 08, May to Jul 08, Jun to Nov 09, Jan to Jul 11, Feb 12 to Jul 12) and had deployed previously on four occasions to Somalia (Operation Solace Jan-May '93), East Timor x 2 (Jan-May '00) and the Solomon Islands (Op Trek '02).

On what would prove to be his final deployment, SGT Diddams was patrol commander when he was shot in the chest during an operation in the Chorah district of Uruzgan Province in Afghanistan. He sadly died from his wounds at hospital in Tarin Kowt on 2 July 2012 and was buried with full military honours in Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth, Western Australia.

Sergeant Diddams' MG was announced in the Queen's Birthday 2013 Honours by the Official Secretary to the Governor-General on 10 June 2013. The gazetted citation for the award states:

"Sergeant Blaine Flower DIDDAMS, deceased, WA

For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as a patrol commander, Special Operations Task Group Rotation XVII on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan on 2 July 2012.

On 2 July 2012, Sergeant Diddams displayed inspirational leadership and selfless courage in extremely hazardous circumstances. To support his patrol and ensure mission success, he knowingly exposed himself to draw fire and lead assaults on insurgent positions. His leadership and selfless acts of gallantry, which ultimately cost his life, were of the highest order and in keeping with the finest traditions of Australian special operations forces, the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force. "

Sergeant Diddams has been awarded the following honours and awards:

  • Medal for Gallantry
  • Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp Somalia, Clasp East Timor, Clasp ICAT
  • International Forces East Timor (INTERFET) Medal
  • Afghanistan Campaign Medal
  • Australian Service Medal with Clasp Solomon Islands, Clasp ‘CT/SR’
  • Defence Long Service Medal
  • Australian Defence Medal
  • NATO ISAF Medal
  • Meritorious Unit Citation
  • Infantry Combat Badge, and
  • Returned from Active Service Badge.

During Sergeant Diddams’ service in the Australian Army he deployed on the following operations:

  • Operation Solace (Somalia): Jan – May 1993
  • Operation Warden (East Timor): Jan – Feb 2000
  • Operation Tanager (East Timor): February – May 2000
  • Operation Trek (Solomon Islands): 2002
  • Operation Slipper (Afghanistan): Nov 2001 – Apr 2002
  • Operation Slipper (Afghanistan): May – Oct 2007
  • Operation Slipper (Afghanistan): Jan – April 2008
  • Operation Slipper (Afghanistan): May – July 2008
  • Operation Slipper (Afghanistan): Jun – Nov 2009
  • Operation Slipper (Afghanistan): Jan – Jul 2011
  • Operation Amulet (CHOGM Perth): 2011
  • Operation Slipper (Afghanistan): Feb 2012 – July 2012.

RIP

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u/azasmouch — 3 days ago

Aircrew (Navy&Army)

Hi all. I'm just trying to get a better grasp of my chances of making it as an aircrewman. Obviously it's one of the harder roles to get into, but how hard are we talking? Is it like one in every ten people or one in a hundred type level?

I'm nothing extraordinary, grade wise I'm really locking in now, switched to physics and a higher level maths to try better my chances, but I want to know if it's even worth it. Physically wise, I'm pretty strong, but have a slow metabolism. I can't really lose weight or even gain it like a normal person, (5'10, 90kg, not very lean but definitely not obese type) I still meet the BMI standards for all roles, sit ups are good, swimming I haven't tested but I'm confident, running I'm working on, push ups.... don't chat to me..

Basically as I said before, do I need to be top level, athlete, genius type of candidate to even have a chance?

Another things, on the ADF website there's an Aircrew Operator role for the army, but I was told that it wasn't a role you could externally apply for. I've also seen other people's JOA results and didn't see it in any of the categories, so I'm wondering what category (A, B, C, D, E) it's in if it is indeed a direct entry role.

Any and all feedback, insight, etc is appreciated, alternative aviation role suggestions as well would be sick. Thank you all.

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u/VeryFruityToast — 9 days ago

Criminal charges during or after enlistment

I’m currently 18 and half way through my application and up to my Pysch, I had no criminal record when applying but on a night out a situation happened and I’m pretty certain I will receive charges for assault and or criminal damage, I won’t go into detail but how will this effect my application if the charges come during enlistment or if i start training and they come to lay charges once I’m already in.

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u/Clean_Basis8111 — 9 days ago

Why did BRS not go to DFCE?

I was just skimming through the wiki of the DFCE and from what I can tell it's the highest level military prison in Australia. It says that service members can be sentenced there for up to two years and more importantly in this case, await trial there. I understand he is not an active service member but I thought that considering his charges are specifically related to military activity and he is former military he would await trial there. That also brings up the question of where he would serve his sentence if he were found guilty?

Also let's not get into the guilty/not-guilty debate please.

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u/Dependent-Two-2723 — 8 days ago

Daily life in RAR?

Hey, I have been serving 21 years in UK MOD. I was just wondering what daily life is like in RAR? Is it pretty chill, like the UK, or more in line with how the US run business? This is coming from someone who is mildly accustomed to having flexibility to go gym or grab a coffee when I feel like it. Currently a WO2 in Parachute Regiment thinking about options when I can take EDP. Thanks.

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u/Nox-Cinematic_YT — 9 days ago

Can I ask a question about Military Uniforms In Australia

So I'm sort of seeing this guy, and I just have a couple of questions. I hope that's ok.

I'm interesting in what he's doing so I want to be better informed, but to start with I'm a little puzzled and confused.

So he says he's in the Air Force Reserves. Supposedly this is like a family tradition because his Dad and all his uncles all served in the Air Force.

He doesn't fly planes or anything but says that's he's a pilot. Like that's just what the Airforce calls everyone???

Now I thought that everyone had coloured uniforms and like the AIr Force is Blue, Army is Green (and the Navy is "Navy Blue"??)
I haven't seen him in uniform, but friends have and said he was dressed in "green camo" like the Army.
So does the Air Force also wear Green, and only wear the Blue for special occasions?
Like, I don't think he would lie about being in the Air Force, instead of the Army, but it just seems weird.

Sorry for being such an "Air" head, but I don't know much about the Airforce and want to learn.

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u/hilda_shel_yeshu — 14 days ago

Just wanted to hear some things form previous and curent military members

So I want to apply to join the airforce as a Fixen Wing Pilot and I'm gauging what to expect.

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I am currently aiming to lose weight and increase my physical fitness. I am 5'9 and weigh 136kg (in relation to my most recent doctors visit). I aim to be 30kg lighter by December and hopefully 60-70kg lighter by april/may next year.

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I love flying and would absolutely love to pilot any kind of aircraft.

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However I do suffer from sleep apnea (which I have been told can be due to weight) and I am in the process of being tested for ASL and ADHD. I also wear glasses for long distance sight so I am afraid I won't be eligible for the position.

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The only other thing I fear is having to let go of my beard, but I really want to do something like this so I am coming to terms with it.

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Is there anything I should be aware of, and if there is anything I can do to help my eligibility?

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u/Intense_Pretzel — 14 days ago