Joining The Army: Need Advice

[sleekism]

Gday I am looking at putting my application in the Army. I have been looking up info and have the following preferences in mind:

1) Cargo Specialist
2) Marine Specialist
3) Combat Enginner

My preference for the best job would be:

#Not have to move around too much and stick to the Capitals or the East Coast (I have a mrs) basically posted somewhere good

#Not have a job that takes up too many weekends and after hours (mrs)

#Be able to get some qualifications in case I quit later on.

#Not have to spend too long at employment training

#Be able to get some O/S or exciting deployment

#Be able to make some good money to save for house(O/S deployment etc.)

I would appreciate some advice from any defence force members. I am at the stage where all my mates are in the Army and it's about time I joined up. I have Year 12 and a year of an Engineering Degree under the belt as well as experience in local government engineering.

I'm also up for RAAF if anybody thinks ADG or Movement operator jobs are good. The problem is I can't find any information and recruiters are too biased last time I enquired they ried to talk me into becoming a Naval Officer :

[pertuan]

Nothing wrong with the Navy. ;)

I'm not too sure about Army jobs as I am serving in the Navy. However, a common thing about Defence is that you will have to do weekend work and you will have to work after hours pending on your posting.

If you are finding the recruiters too biased... and I think they are all a pack of lying idiots... demand to speak to someone in the service you want to join. Thats what I asked for when I joined. I only ever spoke to the non-uniform recruiters for paperwork.

[Buddy 1]

I cannot help you however you may be able to help me as I have a Son who is in year 12 & I am keen to get him to join & am wondering what sort of passes in the HSC do you need & where do I start getting him the Info from?

Good luck with your Choice & Hope it all works out for you

[Ford_V8]

Originally Posted by Buddy 1

I cannot help you however you may be able to help me as I have a Son who is in year 12 & I am keen to get him to join & am wondering what sort of passes in the HSC do you need & where do I start getting him the Info from?

Good luck with your Choice & Hope it all works out for you

www.defencejobs.gov.au. Has info on all jobs available (tri-service) including pay rates, employment location, civil accreditation etc. I'm also doing year 12 at the moment and will be putting in an application shortly, another thing he might want to look at is the GAP year program targeted at recent school leavers with only a one year obligation. I've also heard plenty about recruiters and seems it would be best to speak to serving members rather than rely on recruiters alone.

[FlipXW]

Originally Posted by Buddy 1

I cannot help you however you may be able to help me as I have a Son who is in year 12 & I am keen to get him to join & am wondering what sort of passes in the HSC do you need & where do I start getting him the Info from?

Good luck with your Choice & Hope it all works out for you

Most jobs I am going for require a pass in English, Maths (general not acceptable), Physics band 3+ and Chemistry band 3+ if doing those subjects. Check out http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/ all the information for every job is on there.

Edit: What he said ^^^

[troppo]

Judging from the criteria you outlined in your first post, the army is not for you.
You want some choice in where you go...forget it.
It matters to you that you have a mrs...the army will make a point of ignoring the fact you have a personal life.
Weekends...see above.
Qualifications...after becoming qualified as a civvy, the choice is yours as to where to apply those skills knowing the industry as a whole benefits. The army doesn't care about the industry as a whole, only the sector within the army and they won't train you unless you agree to give them a few years of service after qualifying. When I looked into before starting my trade, it was 4yrs v's 9yrs for the same apprenticeship.
Training...see above. Also I should mention the trade qualifications from the defence forces aren't looked upon as favourably as I was led to believe. I have worked for several employers who would not touch an ex-service tradie. The bigger the employer, the easier it is for slackers to get through unnoticed. I can think of several tradesman I have worked with who have caused me to question their qualifications. The excuse generally seems to be that have specialised in defence equipment therefore don't have any experience with civilian equipment. Not much use to the civilian industry then.
O/S deployment shouldn't be a problem and cash to go with it.

Have you also considered the dilemma of being ordered to do things you might find morally reprehensible?
For me, deciding NOT to sign up was the best decision I ever made, just on that last point alone.

[b2tf]

I'm not 100% on how it all works but if you do join you will be heading down here (Wagga) for a few months to do your basic training. And from what I've seen on base (Im a contractor) it is not an easy lifestyle!

[pertuan]

For the locality issue, if you join as an enlisted (digger), you will not have much say on where you want to go. You will go where you are told. If you want to have some sort of control for locality, join as an Officer. As an Officer, you manage your own career.

Forget about overseas postings. If you get them, you get them. Don't expect them as a given.

b2tf is correct in saying that upon entry (as a digger) you will have to go to Wagga for your initial training. If you join as an Officer, you'll be off to RMC Duntroon, Canberra for about 18 months.

[FlipXW]

Originally Posted by troppo

Judging from the criteria you outlined in your first post, the army is not for you.

Troppo is on the money I think judging by your post.

[envyyvne]

being an officer rather then grunt dosnt mean u get to go where you want :
and by the way you CANT be ordered to do something unlawfull or that dosnt have anything to do with defence. There are rules and guidelines governing this sort of thing.

i cant speak about how much choice you will have regarding where you get posted in the army (im in the air force) but from what my brother and a good mate of mine say you DONT get a choice. He wanted townsville and got darwin.

With my posting in the airforce there was spots avaible all around australia and basicly whoever had the highest average mark on my course got first pick and so on and so forth.

Its a good lifestyle but if you dont want to travel i wouldnt join up.

[jeremyevans]

my advice.- DON'T. in the current world situation with conflicts/insurgents (used to call it war and terrorism in my time) you'll just be cannon fodder.

[atec77]

Originally Posted by sleekism

Gday I am looking at putting my application in the Army. I have been looking up info and have the following preferences in mind:

1) Cargo Specialist
2) Marine Specialist
3) Combat Enginner

My preference for the best job would be:

#Not have to move around too much and stick to the Capitals or the East Coast (I have a mrs) basically posted somewhere good

#Not have a job that takes up too many weekends and after hours (mrs)

#Be able to get some qualifications in case I quit later on.

#Not have to spend too long at employment training

#Be able to get some O/S or exciting deployment

#Be able to make some good money to save for house(O/S deployment etc.)

I would appreciate some advice from any defence force members. I am at the stage where all my mates are in the Army and it's about time I joined up. I have Year 12 and a year of an Engineering Degree under the belt as well as experience in local government engineering.

I'm also up for RAAF if anybody thinks ADG or Movement operator jobs are good. The problem is I can't find any information and recruiters are too biased last time I enquired they ried to talk me into becoming a Naval Officer :

Long answer simple , you would be unhappy , find a suitable position in civy street and DO NOT sign for the adi .

[Buddy 1]

Originally Posted by Ford_V8

www.defencejobs.gov.au. Has info on all jobs available (tri-service) including pay rates, employment location, civil accreditation etc. I'm also doing year 12 at the moment and will be putting in an application shortly, another thing he might want to look at is the GAP year program targeted at recent school leavers with only a one year obligation. I've also heard plenty about recruiters and seems it would be best to speak to serving members rather than rely on recruiters alone.

Thanks Guys, yes it would be the Gap year thing he would do just incase he Hates it lol

Good Luck Hope it goes well for you.

[sleekism]

Originally Posted by troppo

Judging from the criteria you outlined in your first post, the army is not for you.
You want some choice in where you go...forget it.
It matters to you that you have a mrs...the army will make a point of ignoring the fact you have a personal life.
Weekends...see above.
Qualifications...after becoming qualified as a civvy, the choice is yours as to where to apply those skills knowing the industry as a whole benefits. The army doesn't care about the industry as a whole, only the sector within the army and they won't train you unless you agree to give them a few years of service after qualifying. When I looked into before starting my trade, it was 4yrs v's 9yrs for the same apprenticeship.
Training...see above. Also I should mention the trade qualifications from the defence forces aren't looked upon as favourably as I was led to believe. I have worked for several employers who would not touch an ex-service tradie. The bigger the employer, the easier it is for slackers to get through unnoticed. I can think of several tradesman I have worked with who have caused me to question their qualifications. The excuse generally seems to be that have specialised in defence equipment therefore don't have any experience with civilian equipment. Not much use to the civilian industry then.
O/S deployment shouldn't be a problem and cash to go with it.

Have you also considered the dilemma of being ordered to do things you might find morally reprehensible?
For me, deciding NOT to sign up was the best decision I ever made, just on that last point alone.

The first two jobs I have as preferences: Cargo Specialist and Marine Specialist are ONLY based in Townsville.

The third preference Combat Engineer are based in Sydney, Brisbane, Townsville or Darwin which is fine by me as I have family in the first three and serving Army buddies in Darwin.

I did 2 years of Naval Cadets and 4 years of Army Cadets and got to visit a lot of Army and Naval bases and absolutely loved it. I'm willing to take a pay cut from my current job to join up.

There are obviously people in the defence force with families so I would like to know what are the best jobs for people with families and people who want to save up to buy some land and go civvy street after some service.

[VZKOOP]

Finish your degree. Forget the Army - it will be a waste of 4+ years. Unless you are a megalomaniac or like being told what to do the army is not the place for 'most' humans.
There is a major shortage of Engineers in Australia. You can command a 6 figure salary within 1 year of graduating.
My 6 years in the Army gave me some great experiences but I wouldn't do it again if given the opportunity to go back in time.

JMO

[sleekism]

Geez nobody seems to have high opinions of the defence force.

[gtfpv]

i take my hat off to you mate. for wanting to help in any way you can for our country, and earn a living out of it too.
have you considered the fact though that you will be ruled by fat arrsed politicians sitting on thier aarrsses living a long life, whilst you could end up dead/ and possibly also a murderer.
i personally would rather see my son in jail rather than be compelled into the army.
but the end measure i guess is someone has to do it . and i only wish whoever does it the best and honour to go with it.
but use your brains and think of what your doing , because once you sign , your life and your actions are no longer yours, but a fat aarsed politicians.
remember if you go over seas, you could be an invader ( how would you know other wise)
wish you well.
and please this is only my opinion. it's not meant to offend. just think wisely about the purpose of the army, and defence, as to what they actually do . and who does the dirty work.

[sleekism]

Originally Posted by gtfpv

i take my hat off to you mate. for wanting to help in any way you can for our country, and earn a living out of it too.
have you considered the fact though that you will be ruled by fat arrsed politicians sitting on thier aarrsses living a long life, whilst you could end up dead/ and possibly also a murderer.
i personally would rather see my son in jail rather than be compelled into the army.
but the end measure i guess is someone has to do it . and i only wish whoever does it the best and honour to go with it.
but use your brains and think of what your doing , because once you sign , your life and your actions are no longer yours, but a fat aarsed politicians.
remember if you go over seas, you could be an invader ( how would you know other wise)
wish you well.
and please this is only my opinion. it's not meant to offend. just think wisely about the purpose of the army, and defence, as to what they actually do . and who does the dirty work.

Thanks mate,

All my mates are in the Army and I don't want to sit around getting fat and lazy while they are fighting for me.

[XRQTOR]

Shoot first ask questions later.

[troppo]

Originally Posted by sleekism

Geez nobody seems to have high opinions of the defence force.

It's not the defence forces I don't have a high opinion of, it's the fact that the agenda of the forces is directed by our policy makers, and those are the ones I don't have a high opinion of. Unfortunately for defence members, the policies of the powers that be sometimes reflect poorly on them.

The same could equally be said for the education system and the law and judiciary systems. Indeed, pretty much the entire public sector suffers at the hands of those in charge.

[Booka]

Originally Posted by XRQTOR

Shoot first ask questions later.

Thats the one, Im looking to join the army too as a mechanic or weapons specalist ( which will never happen ), But good luck with it mate

[FlipXW]

Originally Posted by sleekism

Geez nobody seems to have high opinions of the defence force.

I do, i'm extremely excited about joining . Hopefully I cut it as pilot.

[Badcooky]

Who cares who dares, who cares who wins,maybe.

[sleekism]

Originally Posted by PhilXR8

I do, i'm extremely excited about joining . Hopefully I cut it as pilot.

I saw a tv series on it on TV very competitive!

The guys who apply normally already have flying experience.

Same as SAS the guys who apply for that are professional athletes.

[FlipXW]

Originally Posted by sleekism

I saw a tv series on it on TV very competitive!

The guys who apply normally already have flying experience.

Same as SAS the guys who apply for that are professional athletes.

Thats very true, But theres no harm in trying. AEA will do me if I dont make it though.

[devilcv8]

Originally Posted by b2tf

I'm not 100% on how it all works but if you do join you will be heading down here (Wagga) for a few months to do your basic training. And from what I've seen on base (Im a contractor) it is not an easy lifestyle!

Yep, 80 days basic training and then straight onto IET that can be another 70 odd days. During the first 80, consider yourself lucky if you get more than 4 days of local leave. ie half day in Wagga. As for ringinging home, between 2 and 3 20 minute lots of phone priviledges per week.

My son is there now, 3 weeks in and while he has found it a challenge he is copeing well. He wasn't real happy with the dressing down he got when he opened up on full auto for his marksmanship qualls... oops..

[timz]

My advice to joining the army is....... join the chair force, I mean air force.

There is more potential to be bossed around by tossers in the army compared to the raaf.

Either way you'll be looked after (eventually in the army), as far as training goes.

And you'll be on good $$$ especially if you get a remote locality posting.

[Selwonk]

just don't drop the soap in the shower block as the defence force is chock full of raging homosexuals unless you go in for a bit of backshed bonanza buggerey!!!

[02futura]

nah u dont drop the soap in the navy shower block or on a ship for that matter army's more civilised from wat i hear
i can hear that "YMCA" song atm

[Nappa]

Originally Posted by Selwonk

just don't drop the soap in the shower block as the defence force is chock full of raging homosexuals unless you go in for a bit of backshed bonanza buggerey!!!

are you speaking from experiance....