Rifleman in the ADF
- Thread starter MTBmaster05
- Start date
Macr
Likes Dirt
I agree with skwiz05. I have done 21 years on Hornets and there are definitely good and bad times in any job in the defence, just like outside at a guess.
I can't tell you anything about the Army, but I do know that you can get lots of perks in the defence force to further your studies. You can even go to uni.
Being a bit biased, but I would look towards a technical job in the defence force. Pay is higher for a start and the qualifications are recognised outside in most cases. I know the new guys on Hornets do a civilian work journal and they will have a Cert IV at the end of their training.
You make some great mates and you get to see some things that you just wouldn't see outside. I have been lucky and have travelled extensively with work, including places like Las Vegas, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, to name a few. I have even done a number of flights in the back seat of the Hornet. I am glad with what I have done and now I am moving on to a Project in Canberra (Still in the RAAF), which starts a new phase in my life and maybe, I will even do further studies and either commission or get out. Time will tell.
My slant on it.
moto_guy
Banned
I managed to watch the whole thing and was really surprised at the lack of fitness and mental conditioning most of the applicants had. You really could tell which ones weren't the best of the best.
I was hoping someone would ask. One Kangaroo Exercise a number of Leopard tanks went missing while out bush. It's very embrassing rocking up to the Q-Master asking for a new tank because the last one was stolen (By an SAS trooper that was ex-Tank Corp.) And SAS will steal anything to get the job done, including a 42 tonne tank.
But you can't start a tank without the key.
irate: (It's not a typical key as such)Agreed! I know guys that trained their asses off and still didn't make it though.
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skwiz05
Likes Bikes and Dirt
A transfer of Category (TOC) or transfer of Service (TOS) can sometimes be harder than joining a branch or category from the beginning, depending on availabilities, ie whether theyve got their numbers required for each type of job. Ive spent several years dealing with just this, and on occasion, seen guys lose their job upon transferring. But you must have a valid reason (they just spent $467,876 training you to parachute, shoot, drive a tank etc and now you want to be a cook?). And theirs buckleys chance if recruiting are on target for the specific job you want to change to.
Its not impossible however, but will inevitably slow your career down, and most likely land you back at the bottom.......
A wiser choice is to do the research first, before you get there and decide its the wrong job, and DO NOT be fooled by the recruiters trying to push you into any given category. Stick to your guns.
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A wiser choice is to do the research first, before you get there and decide its the wrong job, and DO NOT be fooled by the recruiters trying to push you into any given category. Stick to your guns.[/QUOTE]
Yep can vouch for that, applied for an electronic technician apprenticeship, only to have an acceptance letter sent say that I had been accepted as an Motor Mechanic... recruiting sent out the worng letter... This type of admin stuff up pretty much summarised my miliatary career.
I will repeat what a number of others have already said.. Infantry is not the only was into the Special forces. Signals have atleast (or did have) two units that are pretty much embedded into the SF. (152 Sig Sqn and 126 Sqn, I think 126 is now part of 4 CDO, happy to be corrected). With both units having beret qualiaifed operators/troopers.
At the end of the day, I went in to the army with a couple of goals.. to gain qualifications that would help me professionally (with no HECS debt), serve on an overseas deployment (managed two deployments) and have a good time (have made mates for life, which can not be said for my civvy career). Some days I miss being in the service, other days I am glad to be out (served for 9 years, discharged 9 years ago).
Yep can vouch for that, applied for an electronic technician apprenticeship, only to have an acceptance letter sent say that I had been accepted as an Motor Mechanic... recruiting sent out the worng letter... This type of admin stuff up pretty much summarised my miliatary career.
I will repeat what a number of others have already said.. Infantry is not the only was into the Special forces. Signals have atleast (or did have) two units that are pretty much embedded into the SF. (152 Sig Sqn and 126 Sqn, I think 126 is now part of 4 CDO, happy to be corrected). With both units having beret qualiaifed operators/troopers.
At the end of the day, I went in to the army with a couple of goals.. to gain qualifications that would help me professionally (with no HECS debt), serve on an overseas deployment (managed two deployments) and have a good time (have made mates for life, which can not be said for my civvy career). Some days I miss being in the service, other days I am glad to be out (served for 9 years, discharged 9 years ago).
MTBmaster05
Likes Dirt
So your saying, i can go in to do a trade, lets say a.. Diesel fitter? Then after 5 years of doing my apprenticeship i can still have time to apply and try out for SF? Cause like you said, stick to your guns..I'm pre determined on join and succeed in the SF. I know this might sound weird coming from a 16 year old. But I'm trying to gather as much information as i can before i apply. This might be a dream for some people, but im determined to make mine reality. cheers
Yep any one form any of the three services can apply to complete the SF selection course, (keep in mind that course are different for Commando and SASR) at anytime during their career. One of the guys who I went through appy school with (who at the time was 16) went on the join the SASR 7 years later. Other guys I worked with ended up at 152 Sign Sqn and then became beret qualified. (http://www.army.gov.au/rasigs/152_Sig_Sqn.asp)So your saying, i can go in to do a trade, lets say a.. Diesel fitter? Then after 5 years of doing my apprenticeship i can still have time to apply and try out for SF? Cause like you said, stick to your guns..I'm pre determined on join and succeed in the SF. I know this might sound weird coming from a 16 year old. But I'm trying to gather as much information as i can before i apply. This might be a dream for some people, but im determined to make mine reality. cheers
So go in with a plan, if you dont you will not get anywhere and will get walked over)
thepope1986
Likes Dirt
As a qualified mechanic I would never recommend it a job. Great skill to have but pay is terrible, your body gets wrecked and you never get respect. Hairdressers are the only 'trade' that gets paid less than us
Go work in the mines... that is if you are a qualified desiel mechanic... sorry offtopic.
Pay is terrible? How do you figure that? Do your basic training followed by an 18 month self paced course that can easily be finished in 12-14 months. While your doing this, your getting paid around 33 grand plus 'training allowance' which takes the pay up to around 41k per year. How many first year apprentices get that? Once your IET ( Initial Employment Training) is finished you then go and do your OJT ( on Job Training) where your pay will go up again. By the time your in your third year, your getting paid around 52-53k per year before service allowance which adds another 11k per year. 63k a year as a third year tradie!? Show me another civie trade where you can get that coin. Add a specialist course to bump yourself up another pay grade and the money is quite nice.
I've been a VM for ten years now with the Army it's been pretty rewarding. Lots of experience and variety, I've seen most of Australia for free, been overseas to both Iraq and Afghanistan (which is where I'm actually writing this from now) and have quite easily set myself up for the rest of my life. Career opportunities are good if your a hard worker and if you want to get out, you can easily walk into a 6 figure job down the track....
Like sqwiz said, it's easy to figure out whom actually knows what their talking about.....
Woody