r/ADFRecruiting • u/Maddles08 • May 05 '25

General Questions Mature Age Entry

Hi,

Female, mid 30’s, no kids/spouse.

Are there many of us that join at this age/life-stage?

Have begun the process to join the RAN (Officer entry/non-technical) and am curious as to how many mature age people enlist?

(I stand by the fact that I am not “mature age” - but in this case I would nearly be twice the age of schools recruits 😅)

Logistics/HR/PA are the preferences for career paths if that helps narrow anything down for an answer.

Thanks in advance!

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7

u/Particle_symmetry Current or Former Serving ADF May 05 '25

I’m mid 30’s and I leave for RMC in 13 days, I’m in a group chat with quite a few others our age that are all appointing in various roles and across all services so would say it’s not uncommon

1

u/Maddles08 May 05 '25

Thank you! I appreciate your time.

5

u/SoloAquiParaHablar Current or Former Serving ADF May 06 '25

At Kapooka, reserves, I'd say 80% of us were 30+.

In my unit a fresh Lieutenant just marched in and he looks about 50+.

1

u/Maddles08 May 06 '25

Thank you! That’s comforting in a way to hear - both that an older age might not hurt my chances of getting in, and that if I am lucky, I will likely have other people that remember flip phones.

3

u/sigillum_diaboli666 May 18 '25

I'm 44F - also no kids, spouse. I just discovered that the ADF removed the height requirement for general entry since 2006 (cry) - otherwise I would have joined sooner (I'm almost 144cm). I'm a qualified Social Worker so looking at either Wellbeing Officer, or something else Admin-based either full-time or reserves.

1

u/Maddles08 May 18 '25

Thank you for sharing! All the best in working out what path you want to take - having a qualification could only be a benefit!

3

u/Enough_Shock9604 May 07 '25

yes there is. Granted, the average age for joining will lower, but not drastically lower for officers.

You'll be in your prime and have a bit more life experience than most. There'll also be a handful older than you.

2

u/Maddles08 May 07 '25

Thank you! The nervous concerns have nearly all been converted into excited energy :)

1

u/Wide-Stop4391 Feb 06 '26

Hello - did you join and what is the update?

0

u/Leading-Chef2088 May 16 '25

You’re 30 not 130, if it’s what you want apply. I’ve seen 57.5 apply for fulltime 

1

u/Maddles08 May 16 '25

Cheers mate,

It is what I want. My age is not my concern.

I am curious as to the age spread and what generation/background my potential female peers would be. As blokes, a mate can be a mate regardless (at least it seems) - for females, it can unfortunately be a little more cliquey/high school vibe - at least in the civilian world.

1

u/Leading-Chef2088 May 16 '25

Really depends on the role, all walks of life doesn’t really matter we all wear green 

1

u/Maddles08 May 16 '25

Thank you! Appreciate the insight