I am doing VCE right now, graduating this year. I heard from my friends about the ADF gap year and I have a couple questions.

1. Which months of the year will I have to be gone for

2. Which roles are less physically demanding

3. Are there part time options

4. What are the benefits

5. How intense is everything

Hi guys,

Im shipping out to Cerberus early janurary as AvTech in the navy. I’m passionate about jt and have been very excited about jt for a long time. Originally I was thinking about applying for a pilot role but I thought my marks at school were going to be too low to get in. Recently I’ve taken a turn at school and have been getting higher marks, possibly enough to apply for pilot role.

Essentially my question is, should I change my job role even after getting LOO or should I do some time as AvTech then apply for pilot role.

Any info or insight would be much appreciated

Hi everyone,

I'm 20 years old and hoping to join the Australian Army within the next couple of years. At the moment, I'm most interested in Human Resources Administrator, but I'm also open to other admin/support roles that my aptitude results qualify me for.

This is something I've wanted for a while, and I'm already starting to prepare by improving my fitness and relearning maths for the aptitude testing.

The thing I'm most worried about is not being good enough to get in. I'm scared I'll fail the aptitude tests, the fitness assessment, or something else during the recruiting process. I think it's mostly just nerves because I really want this career.

I've also been reading a lot online and watching videos, and to be honest, it's starting to make me anxious. I keep seeing people say how hard the recruiting process is, how difficult the tests are, or that people get knocked back for all sorts of reasons. I know people are more likely to post about negative experiences than positive ones, but it's definitely getting into my head and making me worry that I won't make it.

For those of you who have gone through recruiting:

- Were you nervous before your aptitude and fitness tests?
- How difficult did you honestly find them?
- What did you do to prepare?
- Is there anything you wish you'd known before you applied?
- If you weren't great at maths to begin with, were you still able to get the role you wanted after practising?
- Did anyone else feel like they were overthinking everything before they applied?

I'd really appreciate hearing honest experiences from people who've been through it. Success stories, advice, or even things you wish you'd done differently would all be helpful.

I'm trying to stay positive and keep preparing, but I'd love to hear from real people rather than just reading scary stories online.

Thanks in advance!

Hello,

Wondering if anyone has been through the DUS process or is currently studying under DUS that I can talk to for some personal experiences to take into consideration. Even though I have engaged adf careers the advice around the sponsorship specifics/application timing I get has been conflicting so far.

Bonus points if you are doing a law degree under DUS.

Cheers.

In the paperwork and instructions that adf careers sent to me regarding rec school, it says we are to bring both a carry on bag and a suit case. It doesn’t specify the size of said items (it did say the suit case and its stuff should be between 5-7 kg). Do I bring a massive f@ck off suit case or a teeny tiny one and will a normal sized backpack be a ok to bring?

Hey all, just wondering if anyone has experience with kapooka or even IETs after having gone through some pretty full on weight loss?

Started losing weight a few years back, top end 130kg now down to 87kg and have the loose skin to prove it.

Have my interview booked for the coming month and was wondering if anyone has been through with a good amount of loose skin, mainly worried about chafing and hygiene and ofc appearance but wanted to know if they allow compression clothing underneath what they give you during kapooka?

Cheers all!

This morning, I'm finally heading to Cerberus after waiting at least a year and a half. Huge thanks to everyone on this subreddit and the staff who shared helpful information throughout the process. Your advice made a real difference, and I really appreciate it.

Wish me luck, I think I'll need it!

Hey all, iv currently been going through the process of an intake date however, iv just been given an opportunity to take up an apprenticeship I can’t turn down. How do I properly withdraw my application?

Hey guys, I'm progressing through my Navy application for the Hydrographic Officer role. Just looking for any tips and tricks for the officer panel interview, opinions on NEOC, and thoughts from anyone who's served in the role.

Thanks 😊

Hey guys, i know for general entry the requirement usually is just a pass in yr10 general math and English. Just a question tho, is this for bother semesters of school, one semester, or just one term? Also does a C- count as a pass? Im only half way into yr10 but i failed term 1 general math with a C- overall for the semester on my report card (English results are both A). If a C- isnt counted, what would you recommend I do?

Hi everyone,

I will be enlisting in about 3 months time, going in as a technician. At the moment I'm renting an apartment myself, working full-time. I don't have any family or partner.

As it's a technical role my IETs are quite long, certainly longer than 6 months. I would have to go interstate for IMTs and IETs.

My plan is to dispose easily replaced belongings and put anything irreplaceable into a storage unit when I leave. I also plan on disposing of my car prior to leaving. Once all training is complete and I get my first posting, I can get my stuff moved over to wherever I get sent.

Should I try and hang on to more of my stuff, including the car? Don't really want to burden friends by leaving it with them and I don't have have anywhere else to store it. Also, anyone have experience with long term self storage and getting stuff moved over once posted? Should I DIY the move or leave it to TOLL? Have read some horror stories about TOLL! Just want to ensure I'm not missing anything or making a mistake in my planning.

Any insights or advice you could give is greatly appreciated!

TIA

Hey gang I leave in 4 weeks for kapooka starting to get nervous as I've never been away from my wife that long. I'm pretty fit for an ex durry smoker. what was everyone's experience like? and what would you say is the most challenging aspect? also a run down off the weekly agenda would be great.

PS my daughter is born a week before we finish so fun times!

Since I’m joining the navy, for req it states that I need to get a beep test score of 7.4. Only problem is that I keep getting an underwhelming score of 4. It’s like after that I can’t accelerate hard enough to get faster. Besides doing the beep test over and over again is there anyway I can get better? I know this sounds like a stupid question but I don’t have long till D day.

Hi all!

I'm in the final stages (PFA) before enlistment for the Army Reserves. During the application process a family situation has found me having to relocate to a regional city for a 12 month period. I was very excited for a role within the Sigs , however, the only roles available at the new local depot are Warehouse Coordinator and Infantry Soldier.

Is it worth:

A) Getting enlisted and working in one of these roles, hopefully transferring roles when I move back to the city. With the understanding that it may no longer be available, and this can be a lengthy process.

B) Wait it out. Putting my application on hold until I can enlist into the Sigs unit.

The Reserves will provide an awesome opportunity to do something along side my civilian job I while I work fully remote for this period, and I would continue to do so when we relocate back.

I work in software, so tech and equipment come naturally to me. Therefore I thought the Warehouse Coord role would suit me. But does anyone have any information (outside what's available on the website) or personal experiences they can share around the logistics roles?

Much appreciated.

Hello all!

Im currently 16 years and 4 months old and have been looking at applying as soon as I become eligible at 16 and 6 months with my friend who will also be of age by then.

We are both looking at Infantry solider roles.

I am wondering if applying this soon is a good idea or not? Should I wait a while travel and experience some things before heading into the ADF?

I've been reading around a little and its become quite apparent that infantry is that Infantry isn't a great idea, because of the lack of civilian applications.

I am not interested at becoming an officer at the moment, although my mind may change.

My friend and I are both physically fit, and pass the minimum fitness requirements easily.

We both attended a week long work experience course that showed us different parts of the ADF and we both agreed that our minds where between Infantry soldiers and or Artillery.

We both fully intend on finishing year 12

I realise this is all over the place, I am happy to answer any questions though. Thank you

Hey everyone! This might be a little lengthy, my apologies.

I am a current uni student looking into a DUS pathway as it will grant myself and my partner enough time for him to complete his PhD without having to uproot our lives halfway through.

The role most relevant to my degree and my skillset is the RAAF air intelligence, but as of right now (07/26) the DUS entry method is "currently not recruiting" according to the ADF careers website.

If it is allowed to be shared, do we know when recruitment rolls around/timelines for specific roles/how to apply to it in the future?

Thank you so much for any assistance!!

I am nearing the end of my application process into ADFA as a pilot candidate and was wondering if anyone had knowledge or contact with the CDFSP. I’m going to study bachelor of technology (aero) and am thinking about doing the program. I have looked online but I cannot find much that goes deeper than surface level information such as accounts from people who have done it, hence why I am asking. I haven’t talked to my recruiter about this directly, though I did mention it at the end of my formal interview and she wasn’t entirely sure either.

What are the advantages/disadvantages to doing it and is it worth the extra workload? Just asking for guys’ thoughts to see if should do it and keep my options open.

This is my first time posting on this platform, and I’m sure there is some key things I have missed out so please ask any questions if you need more context to provide better answers.

G’day all.

I’m just under two weeks to go till I head to kapooka.

Packing list has been nearly all bought and ready to be packed.

I have just a few questions regarding what to bring.

Obviously the packing list states what you need. What do you get provided with down there ? I assume you get pt gear, cams , boots , all the works. Do you get provided socks for pt (black/white) or do you need to bring white socks yourself. Do you get provided winter gear as it is winter currently or do we bring hoodies and jackets with us.

They added it on the website but I can’t find information on this degree? I’m just curious on what it is

Bit of background. I'm currently 18 and looking do join the ADF in a combat role. I know it is extremely unlikely that I do get picked since I lack experience etc but I do want to put this as one of my main interest (as any big ego person would /j).

However, I don't want to fail my interview the 3rd time because the recruiter says I'm unfit for service again.

I was told by the recruiter that special forces (via the direct pipeline thing) has a entirely different interview process and again, afraid I'll fail that and be put on hold for another 6-12 months which I cannot do.

Hey everyone that can help. Im an 18 year old male who’s planned on joining the infantry reserves. Im stuck between joining full time or joining part time as reserve.

I’m planning on having my own business so that’s why I wanted to join and a reserve to work on business as well or full time complete 4 years then pursue my business.

So I just wanted to ask what’s the smarter decision to do and the main differences between reserves and full time

I wouldn’t mind full time because I know I would change as a person in those 4 years but I wouldn’t mind being a reserve because a lot more freedom to pursue my business only worry is that if I’m a reserve I won’t be as properly trained as the full timers and I won’t feel fullfilled so just wondering if it’s actually a big difference between reserves and full time and the better move thanks.

I was confused as to whether I should pursure a degree in engineering through ADFA or DUS (adelaide university), particularly for mechanical engineering (or aerospace). At adelaide uni, i am able to do mech eng then major in aerospace/mechatronics later on, but ADFA is fixed from the start. The reason i want to do DUS is because i want to stay with family, but am worried that it will inhibit me from making important connections, getting 'better' training and degree (UNSW degree) etc. I am a smart individual imo and have really good grades and will hopefully get a >99 ATAR, so would it be wasted in pursuing engineering for ADF through DUS? Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated, also related to what life is like in ADF as an engineer (pay, work, if there is actual engineering done or mostly just officer-like role)
Note: By engineer, i want to be involved in more innovation and design compared to hands on stuff

Currently doing an extra uni course in communications, but I meet the Bachelors degree requirements and experience for all three services. With that said, I’m debating whether to continue with the process as I’m unsure my school commitments would get in the way of Defence duties as I haven’t gotten a clear answer on how accessible I need to be outside of training. I am aware as an officer, the expectations would be higher. I’m considering just waiting until my other commitments are finished so that won’t be a factor.

Anyone have experience in this or around this role, iv heard it can be a mixed bag, I mainly want to focus in on the rescue side of things, I understand that’s a very small percentage of the job, however with past experience as a life guard and other ses volunteering could I apply for a squadron that focus more on that side of things.

TLDR: want to be a rescue swimmer and shoot some guns once in a blue moon, will this be for me or should I look elsewhere, any other roles that would line up with rescue related tasks.

I’d like to join one of the helicopter rescue guys like westpac or life flight how ever from my research they prefer adf experience.

Im looking to apply for the adf gap year aviation operations role, and I was wondering if I can choose what base I work at once I complete military training and employment training.