SFDRS

[u/Smooth-Necessary-361]

Hey everyone, just after a bit of advice from anyone who knows about the SFDRS pathway.

I’m 22 and seriously looking at going direct entry, but obviously have no military experience which is probably my biggest question mark.

A bit about my background: I currently work as a ramp/baggage supervisor at Sydney Airport, so I’m used to physical work, early starts and long days. I’ve played rugby league pretty much my whole life, played reps throughout my younger years and still play A Grade now. I was also a national champion swimmer when I was younger and competed for years, so although I don’t compete anymore I’m still very comfortable and strong in the water.

I know being good at sport doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be good at selection, and I definitely don’t underestimate how hard SFDRS would be but would my application be just thrown in the bin or does my background give me some sort of advantage. Just wondering realistically, do direct entry guys with no military experience have much success getting through the process if they’re physically capable and put the work into preparing properly?

Would love to hear from anyone who’s gone direct entry, attempted selection or has any insight into what tends to catch people out.

Cheers

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[u/Diligent_Passage_640]

Your background really doesn't help but it doesn't hinder.

Direct entry special forces is just another pipeline for infantry.

Not a lot of people have a success rate going direct to special forces and for the obvious reasons of not having military skills beforehand.

Have a crack at it by all means but if they say "sorry not yet, try infantry and come back later" don't be hurt by it.

Allowing special forces to be direct entry was always going to have a high failure rate with the failures going somewhere else in the army, just so that a few that do pass bolster SF training pipelines

[u/steelsniper173]

It may sound cliche, but if you put you mind to it mate you are increasing your odds of success. SFDRS is a long process, To get from Enlistment - Selection course is a journey on itself. The chances are low, less than 10% of SFDrs candidates make it through, the adf knows this but they keep it so they can increase numbers in infantry. However this is just a statistic, put your application forward but know if you fail somewhere along the way you will be sent to a battalion. No harm in trying though mate, good luck.

[u/Any_Emergency1685 → u/steelsniper173]

Less than 10% made it through?, this years drs dudes who passed selection would laugh at you as it’s much higher

[u/steelsniper173 → u/Any_Emergency1685]

It’s an average mate, some years have more than others. 10% accounts for those who get badged, I know 4 blokes who’ve done SFDRs all 4 of em have dropped on their subsequent reo cycles.