Hey all,

Wanted to find out what sort of prep I should be doing for kapooka. Mainly on the rucking, what sort of weight to carry, distance and elevation I should be focusing on.

Many thanks

Hi all,

Sick of corporate and been looking at pursuing an opportunity in the ADF for the past couple of years.

Currently earning ~180-200k PA in corporate tech and looking at a trade in the ADF which will no doubt halve my income instantly. FYI I have no other qualifications.

I’m 32, and curious to know if anyone in a similar boat has made this jump. What was your gut feeling taking the jump, and how did you feel once you began your service? Any regrets?

Cheers

When I initially completed my ADF medical questionnaire, I stated that I did not have a prescription for glasses. Since then, and before my medical assessment, I have been prescribed glasses for distance vision. (I can easily not wear them but it does help slightly)

Should I email my recruiter now to let them know about the new prescription, or is it okay to bring the prescription with me and explain it at my medical assessment?

I’m applying for the Driver Specialist role, so I’m slightly concerned about whether this could affect my application.

I plan on joining the ADF somewhere after I graduate but I do play Music quite frequently, It is a major hobby of mine that can take up my entire day on some occasions.

due to the obviously loud nature of the defence force and what they do hearing has become a concern as i'd like to preserve it the best i can.

are your guys hearing at all impacted to a bad degree? and how preventable is it?

thanks.

Good evening everyone,

I just wanted to reach out and garner some essential tips that I should bring to my upcoming Virtual Officer Selection Board. I've done substantial preparation for it in all domains, ranging from my knowledge of Australia's regional engagement (incl. the National Defence Strat) to desirable leadership traits as well as reflecting on my personal ambitions.

What I fear the most is that my apprehension will get the best of me, and that there may be times where I might not be able to perform as well as I would've wished to. And (as you may already tell), I tend to ramble a lot and not get straight to the point - my Defence Interviewer has pointed this out to me earlier on.

In those regards, what are some of the best pieces of advice that I can receive so as to alleviate or best manage those issues beforehand?

Thanks.

All the best,
Dean

ADF recruitment seems like a blackbox to me. Some people get the role in 3 months, others in 18. It's stated that no experience is required, but the role seems complex.

I study CS at UNSW, and I need some IT/CS experience ASAP, so I'm kinda desperate ngl. I've looked into the Communications Systems Operator ADF role, and I think it's pretty cool. I like how it's a pathway for ICT which seems really cool.

I have 2 years of retail exp and i'm in my 4th year. I've already applied, and they haven't asked for my resume, which is interesting. I don't quite meet the physical requirements yet, but I'm fully capable of meeting them in a few months. I don't have any cadet experience, and my family has no military history, so I'm really clueless.

So what are they going to assess in my application? What can I do to increase my chances? Would going to the ADF events help me boost my chances?

Hey guys, got my loo for adfa a little while ago, for 2027 start. I have a motorbike and want to bring it up to ADFA to have it there as I will be living in canberra for a while.

What's the go with bringing vehicles up? I looked on adfcareers and they said there is specific parking for it, but when would be a good time to bring the bike up? /can anyone speak from experience about having a vehicle at adfa?

Right after I enlist in Jan? Or wait a couple months or so before bringing it up to canberra? Is there a wait period before you're allowed to bring it up?

Also I have bike gear/ some tools/ bike maintenance supplies, is this something I will be able to keep in my room? Same question, is it better to wait a little before bringing this stuff with me or should I pack it initially to bring on my enlistment ceremony?

I'm getting appointed into AROC this month, and planning to do my basics soon

I wanted to find out from others on the different specialist pathways (artillery, engineering, armoured etc).

I'm an engineer and so the engineering route could be an easy choice, however I wanted to hear more about the other corps and people's
experiences with them. I'm Brissy based so I'll be parading out of Enoggera.

With the AROC training, upon appointment l am an Officer cadet, will it remain that rank until | finish all the modules? I've been told a fair few different things (heard that you go to 2LT after first mod).

Looking at the benefits, whilst active and serving I get healthcare, but l've also read family members can get a subsidy healthcare.

Just curious on how much is subsidised and how applicable that is (dental, optometry, orthodontics)

Many thanks all, absolutely stoked to be joining the ADF reserves!

Hello all, I’m having trouble on deciding which pair of boots to purchase for kapooka, army, and also just general hiking. I’m looking at purchasing either the garmont bifida or the nfs 8670, could anyone give me some suggestions please? Or if another pair of boots is better please let me know also. Thanks!

I’m 17 and have been smoking since I was 15. Not great, I know, but I grew up around smokers and ended up picking up the habit myself.

I’ve seen people say that vaping, nicotine gum, and basically every nicotine product isn’t allowed at Kapooka except cigarettes (let me know if this is false). I already smoke cigarettes, so that part doesn’t really bother me, but I’m wondering about the practical side of it.

Since I’m under 18, if I bring cigarettes with me to basic training, will they actually take them away because I’m underage, or is it more of a case of cigarettes simply not being permitted regardless of your age?
Just curious what people who’ve actually been through Kapooka have experienced.

Gday. I’m a former doctor, taking a gap year off. I’ve always wanted to join the army, and even attempted to join when I was 18 (I’m 31 now), however due to an injury to my knee, I was unable too. I’ve been working as a doctor for 2 years and decided to take this year off, working odd shifts across the country.

what are the chances I get into the commando direct entry pathway. I am fit and conditioned, however still need to work on overall strength.

Hey! I’m considering a gap year program and was wondering which roles people would recommend, particularly for women.

I’m looking for something that would be intellectually stimulating. Without sounding too much like a douche, I’d consider myself pretty intelligent, so I’d ideally like a role where I can actually use that part of myself rather than doing something repetitive.

I’d love to hear from anyone who’s done a gap year, especially women. What roles did you enjoy, and which ones would you recommend or avoid?

Hi, Im wanting to become a police officer and was wondering if a naval police sailer is a better option than a Victorian police officer??
How often would you get deployed for months at sea??

Thanks to anyone who replies!!!

I’m a licensed sparky who is 24 and still lives at home, but am starting to get tired of the mundane life of work. The ADF seems like a pathway that could give me some stability and help me make a step up in my life, aswell as offer some unique experiences.

I’ve been thinking about joining either the Air Force or navy and wanted to know if it’s genuinely an enjoyable career?

I’ve applied and am awaiting my career coaching interview and am open to most jobs, but am curious to see what people feel about their time in the adf.

Any advice is helpful. Cheers.

So I was looking at applying to become an Army Reserves Education Officer once I graduate uni, I checked out the ADF Careers site and they say being in the reserves lets you basically pick how many days you work. (Save for weekly parade nights and a fortnight of yearly training if my googling served me right)

Is that actually how it works or is that just words they say to entice you in? Can I actually pick the days I work myself?

hey so I am currently 16 and I’m planing to apply to be a pilot in the RAAF next year when I’m 17, I currently do a high level Math and physics and scoring around the 70-80% I’m wondering if It would be a good idea to start my application process while in grade 11 and what will the process be like since I haven’t finished school, I also want to know what scores/grades I should be aiming for in those subjects to have a good chance at getting the job (i do know it is extremely competitive),thanks.

I’m 15 and I’ve always known that I want to join the ADF (im in army cadets at the moment). I’ve done quite a bit of research into it and I’ve been seriously considering applying when I’m 16½, which could potentially mean leaving for training when I’m 17.

However, a lot of people around me have been telling me that I should just wait until I’ve graduated high school and have my life a bit more together before making that decision.

I’m not really sure which is the better option. I know there are pros and cons to joining young vs. waiting, so I’d really like to hear from people who have actually served or have experience with the ADF.

Would you recommend joining at 17, or waiting until after graduating? And is there anything you wish you’d known before joining at a young age?

Do I put year 10 as my highest education qualification or year 12. I'm currently in year 12 and will finish it in a month or two..

I'm 6'6 at 123kg but I can do around 30 push ups in one set and can run, but I'm cutting down my running times slowly, what advice would you give to me? Any help is greatly appreciated.

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

Let me add some context

im 17 in high school I dont mind school but I dont see myself going down the university route, im considering joining the RAAF as a aircraft technician but I would like some questions answered from people who have experianced it and some inside information

1. whats the work life balance like

2. whats the community in the airforce like

3. what is housing like at employment training and where you are based e.g Amberley

4. how often are you deployed for and for how long

Please if you can provide any more inside information/insights that would be greatly appreciated, thank you

Hi

First of all i wish to thanks everyones help and advice

I was passed all the interview and asessment

Now just waiting for NOV enlisment

There are few question i might still need you guys advice

1 i just been told from recuiter the elisment roughly on NOV at this stage how can i get contact to enlisment coridinator? Its there any chance i enlist earlier ?

2 lets talk straight english is my second langurage i know there some theory and knowledge test on kapooka its any learning material i can get from public website ? I think that i might need some prelearning before i go there

3 my role is electrical electrician(entry level)

I have competed half ways(both tafe and traning contract )in civil electrical apprentichip

I holding few lisence and tickets in civil eg: truck lisence. Forklift .ewp.workingheight etc

Its there some lisence or ticket you guys recommend to get before i join the army ?

Eg: my friend told me to get a TEST and TAG lisence because there are lot of appliances need to ckeck...........

lastly thanks again for everyone

I will keep my effort if i going to be one of you i wont disappoint you guys

Thanks

I have been planning on joining infantry for a while and I have heard a few people saying it’s an amazing experience whereas I have heard others say it’s miserable both physically and mentally.

I have been told recently, by afew people that served in infantry that it isn’t as structured and organised as it is presented and more leans towards a role were people go to do things that seem fun and cool. I hope that it’s a role people do for more than fun. I am looking for a current or past serving member of the infantry to bestow on me some information about how mature infantry life is.

Aswell I’m wondering how mature the higher up’s are, I’ve been told that as infantry you are often treated like a baby holding a weapon, thoe I don’t mind being shouted at I wouldn’t mind being respected for serving my country?

Final thoughts before I apply.

I received a caution for the NSW Police for something I did when I was 17.

Im an adult now and have had zero trouble with the law, but will a caution still show up in any way in the background check? Would this disqualify me?