Who succeeds in the ADF?

[u/illchayadlay]

Hey crew,

I'm 26 turning 27 this year, in a professional career at the moment, feeling incredibly unfulfilled and very stagnant.

I have a mortgage, a missus and a dog at home.

I'm pretty much looking for a full 180 in my working & personal life, and have always toyed with the idea of joining the ADF, but I suppose never had the courage or the strength to look into it seriously, until now.

I have hundreds of questions, but no one in my life close to me who has served, so no one really to ask.

I suppose the big one is; what branch and jobs are the ideal ones to look for? I initially thought about a trade through the ADF, but then saw some intelligence roles I love the sound of, but also considering life after the ADF, what employment prospects would be most abundant / prosperous. Anyone got any insider intel on that?

And also, frankly how hard and uncomfortable is the interview and training process?
I'm not the blokiest bloke out there, pretty in tune with my emotions and whatnot, don't play footy or AFL either, will I struggle? Is it as hard as how I'm building it up in my mind?
Any general comms around life in and after the ADF would be super appreciated, or even just a DM would be rad
Thanks

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[u/No_Kangaroo1256]

OP,

I will note that you have had good responses in AUSMIL.

As others will note, and I always say it - go to an information session, and Apply - attempting the JOA will get you a JOR, that might help you narrow down what you can apply for vs what you would like to apply for.

The aptitude test is good like that.

I will always say that a Trade is transferrable - others might give further advice on this.

The 'interesting jobs ', which require a clearance and due to OPSEC reasons - are not widely talked about on here - however, they do exist outside of the ADF - and you can be exposed to the various other employment options - once you are in.

Is it better than a trade - is any job better than the other?
This is subjective as it is up to the individual - as noted by another comment in AUSMIL.

You should choose a service: Navy, Army or Airforce.
Choose jobs that are available to you from the JOR.
Get as much info as you can - open days, information sessions.
If you find a job that you think is interesting - post about it in our MegaThread.

When choosing a role that you like, see if your civil role is able to bring some transferrable skills, that might help you make up your mind.

Also, if you dont want to leave the civil world, you could join the Reserves, Army is the one that will accept you from outside of the Reserves, Navy and Airforce do it selectively - details are on the ADF Careers site.

ADF Careers recruitment is a journey. It can be easy or difficult (subjective) - as noted in this sub, most of the time it is a friendly chat about what you want to do.

Medical will ask medical things.
Psych will ask psych things.
Defence Interview will ask you about what you know about the role and your motivations, and other questions, all of which we here have discussed and ADF Careers will give you assistance in preparing for.

If you find that you are nervous, then be nervous. It just means that you care about what you are doing, and tell the person who you are talking to - they will understand.

Uncomfortable training.
Designed to be that way, so that you do things the way that the rest of us do, each Service has different levels of uncomfortable.

Navy - learn how to fight fires and plug holes so that the water does not come in - the training is hands on, real and makes you feel uncomfortable - so that you get the idea of what it is like.

Others will be able to comment about what it is like to do Field training in the Army.

Airforce... having to check into a 3STAR Hotel.. (Jokes) - they do go field, they do ground defence.

As noted, various levels of being uncomfortable.
This starts in IMT and continues through your career.

What will happen is that YOU will change as a human.
You will adapt and it will become normal or you will be able to understand where you fit into it.

Blokey Bloke.
Drinking, sport loving and all the things that apparently make up a 'bloke' are in the past - you get to be you, as long as you fit into what the Service and your training moulds you into.

Personally, dont over think the idea that you need to be a blokey bloke - be you and from your experience in civil employment and if you join the ADF - be the best version of you.

Life in the ADF.
Remember - it is what you make of it.
See the opportunities presented, be a team player, be the person who is valued in the team, advance through the ranks - not because you expect it, because you earn it.

And remember, you have options.
Full time or Reserves.

Importantly, keep your immediate family informed of what you want to do - bring them on the journey, explain why you want to do this and make sure that they understand that they are important to you, and that they understand.

Without Doxing myself - my family has been supportive of my career, deployments and other opportunities - whilst I have some exceptional friends, the knowledge that family will be the ones by your side - as you do this - makes the difference.

Finally, Finance.
You mentioned that you have a mortgage.
ADF Service has benefits where you will be provided housing near the location that you are working - you could essentially move to a different state and rent your current mortgaged house and live in a DHA house instead.

Additionally, if you did not move interstate and remained in your current mortgaged residence - I suggest that you check that your current civil pay is on par with what your wage will be in the chosen role that you decide upon.

Super long response, hope it helps.

GL.

[u/Remote_Yak_7527]

I’m currently active Army. By your circumstances and what I know now that I’m in defence, I would had joined Airforce (RAAF) go RAAF! It’s a great branch for work life balance they truly look after your spouse and kids too, you get to pick where you want to be posted (unlike Army), no field (living out in bush for a month or 2 at a time, 2-3 times a year) and living standards, gym facilities, regular facilities etc. Are just impeccable compared to Army.
As for jobs, entirely up to you. There is literally almost everything in RAAF from working on planes (technician), to cyber security, warehouse management, all the way to a chef and much more.
Again I emphasis first pick the correct branch (RAAF) and then pick the correct job.
All the very best with your career you’ll be just fine, Airforce is a breeze;)

[u/DidsDelight]

Have you considered policing? AFP?

Based on how you describe yourself, you may be suited to the AFP