Thinking About Joining The Defense Force

ELtim · 02-04-2008, 11:53 PM

2 months until I'm 17. And I'm thinking of joining the defense force.

I want to know what they do in the way of apprenticeships. I wish to be a Diesel Mechanic as the apprenticeship (gyp rock fixer) I had lined up hit the fan. But, I've been thinking about it. It seems to be a good way to honor my country and gain the qualifications I desire.

I checked the website and when I'm 17 I'll have the qualifications to sign up. Year 10 + 17 + no reason to not pass medicals/ fitness tests etc.

Anybody got an input?

FlipXW · 03-04-2008, 12:04 AM

http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/army/t...prenticeships/
http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/navy/t...prenticeships/
http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/airfor...prenticeships/
That should get you strated to see whats there for you.

bigred · 03-04-2008, 12:06 AM

I think for every year that they pay for study, you must serve for 2? I'm not sure if that has changed though.

Good luck if you do though. I just did the boring uni -> drink -> get in debt -> boring office job thing

ELtim · 03-04-2008, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilXR8

http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/army/t...prenticeships/
http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/navy/t...prenticeships/
http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/airfor...prenticeships/
That should get you strated to see whats there for you.

Thanks mate.

I'm just wondering if there's anywhere I can just wander in and inquire though.

I like the hands on approach.

EDIT: I think I just found all the requirement stuff I wanted to know.

Thanks very much.

FlipXW · 03-04-2008, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ELtim

Thanks mate.

I'm just wondering if there's anywhere I can just wander in and inquire though.

I like the hands on approach.

Yeah you can. There should be a recruitment office near you, just ring up and book an appiontment for a chat.

ELtim · 03-04-2008, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigred

I think for every year that they pay for study, you must serve for 2? I'm not sure if that has changed though.

Good luck if you do though. I just did the boring uni -> drink -> get in debt -> boring office job thing

According to the web site I need to do 6 years service.

I'm not sure if that includes training or not.

EDIT:

Another question.

While being in the Defense Force and doing training. Is it possible to keep a normal social life? Like a normal non-Defence Force based apprenticeship.

zetec · 03-04-2008, 12:26 AM

Yes - apart from living on or near a base, you'll have normal weekends and nights.

ELtim · 03-04-2008, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zetec

Yes - apart from living on or near a base, you'll have normal weekends and nights.

GREAT!

Well, while it's winter I'm bound to have a few days off so I'll be booking myself an appointment and doing some research.

Thanks heaps guys. This has been a lot of help.

FlipXW · 03-04-2008, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ELtim

While being in the Defense Force and doing training. Is it possible to keep a normal social life? Like a normal non-Defence Force based apprenticeship.

Yep, if i wanted to do a trade a could have at Williamtown RAAF base and lived at home while doing it, there for being no different to a regular trade.

IDT · 03-04-2008, 02:30 AM

Id advise you to go to the mines if you want to be a diesel mechanic. Have a look at the tafe website or go straight to the BHP, Rio Tinto websites.

If money and travel are what you are after. When you finish your apprenticeship youd be set

QLD-Bluey · 03-04-2008, 08:30 AM

There is no apprenticeship/trade for a Gyprock "Fixer" anyway so you are making the right desision I think. I am a plasterer by trade and did that for about 17 years before giving it away and doing something more rewarding.

XplosiveR6 · 03-04-2008, 09:11 AM

Not sure about a diesel mechanic, but i think most of the apprenticeships in the defense force require you to have a year 12 pass HSC/VCE, even though, its highly recommended you finish high school anyway, its only another year and its easy.

GS608 · 03-04-2008, 09:46 AM

they may have a IMSP (Initial Minimum Service Period) i know that if you study at ADFA to become a pilot you have to serve for 14.5 years, so just be aware of that, and that you may need to stay in the Defence Force for quite a while..

BA_Turbs · 03-04-2008, 09:50 AM

I'd probably learn to spell it correctly before applying too. Might help out your credibility.

flappist · 03-04-2008, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BA_Turbs

I'd probably learn to spell it correctly before applying too. Might help out your credibility.

No that is never looked at in the Ahmee, Nayvee or Aerfors......

myxr6 · 03-04-2008, 12:05 PM

Actually a spelling test is part of the Navy interview process , when I joined you only needed grade 10 to apply for an apprenticeship .

GK · 03-04-2008, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

No that is never looked at in the Ahmee, Nayvee or Aerfors......

LOL!

GK

ELtim · 03-04-2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BA_Turbs

I'd probably learn to spell it correctly before applying too. Might help out your credibility.

Firefox corrects my spelling. Even if it corrects it wrong.

ELtim · 03-04-2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XplosiveR6

Not sure about a diesel mechanic, but i think most of the apprenticeships in the defense force require you to have a year 12 pass HSC/VCE, even though, its highly recommended you finish high school anyway, its only another year and its easy.

Year 10 or pass a test.

trburnard · 03-04-2008, 08:48 PM

Hi Eltim,

The term is ROSO (return of service obligation). Whilst it maybe a little different for an "Appy" it usually works like this: For every year you spend on course you owe that plus one year. So for instance, if your Dieso appy course goes for 4 years you would complete your four years training then give them another 5 years. So if you compared it to a civvie job you would do your appy course then have job security for at least 5 years after that you are free to move on and do whatever you want and whats more you'll have a fairly broad range of experience behind you by then as well.

If you want to mate, PM me and I'll put you in touch with a good friend of mine who has done all that and gone on to work for CAT.

I hope this helps....just keep in mind that my ROSO explanation is valid for what I know and nothing can replace up to date info from the snake oil salesman in town

Seriously though, service is not for everyone but it can be amazingly rewarding also.

Best regards and good luck.

Daymoe · 03-04-2008, 08:57 PM

Sorry to raid your thread but how much does a Rifleman get payed a year for first rank?

**fordomatic** · 03-04-2008, 09:47 PM

"Sorry to raid your thread but how much does a Rifleman get payed a year for first rank?"

Mate i'm a rifleman and have been for two years, i love my job. Some of the things ive done i would never have thought possible. I get paid $48200 standard, if you go bush or overseas you obviously get more. Last year i made $110,000 as i went on deployment, not bad for a 21 year old if you ask me.

As for a diesel mechanic, the ROSO is 8 years as one of my mates recently transfered. You could go to the mines and do it that way if you wanted to. The army is a lifestyle and the felas you meet are mates forever. You still get weekends and being a diesel mechanic you would rarely go bush so you would probably get most weekends off. You usually have to live on base for one year once you get to your unit, after that you can stay on or move off. hope this help, feel free to pm me.

Fev · 04-04-2008, 03:55 PM

i was thinking about joining the airforce to become an officer, then i saw Intelligence officer and that is what im really interested in but im 19 and i still wanna have a healthy social life with my friends and my long term girlfriend(over 4 yrs)

Anyone know what qualitifications you would need to become one? if there a straight up course etc. i havnt really been answered by their recruitment lines and such.

Anyone got tips etc or had experience?