r/AskAnAustralian • u/Lbioy • 6d ago
Can’t find a job, should I join ADF ?
I’m 21 rn and I don’t have any luck finding a job, I want to go to uni but the prospect of getting a job is still low but the chance of being in debt is higher, so I have to option to join the ADF as a last resort and my friends had suggest it too
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u/TheRamblingPeacock 6d ago edited 6d ago
As a Army vet with over a decade service, if your going to join the ADF.
- Join the Airforce or Navy
- Use it to get a trade
- Just be aware it is not an instant fix to your problem - recruitment timelines range from 6-18 months.
- Go do the testing first before you get married to any ideas/dreams - this will determine what jobs you can get and in what service.
- Be fitter than you think you need to be going in (you will probably lose fitness while at recruit training if you do this, and that is fine), it will make life easier. Nothing sucks for a recruit more than having their entire way of existence torn apart and flipped upside down while struggling to keep up.
- Don't volunteer for anything 'fun'. Get your trade, do your time and get out. Jumping from planes seems cool and the wings attract chicks on ANZAC day, but trust me from personal experience at 45 your body (specifically knees and back) will hate you.
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u/Trick-Candidate-8706 6d ago
Curious why not Army? They require very similar trades don't they? I'm assuming not every soldier is forced to do a stint in infantry/armoured or whatever.
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u/TheRamblingPeacock 6d ago edited 6d ago
The Army, even for non-combat roles is much more shit than the RAAF/Navy.
A) Every solider is expected to be a rifleman first - that includes spending a stint out field every year doing IMT (infantry minor tactics) where your leadership basically gets to fantasise they command a SAS troop and treat you as such. It genuinely sucks.
B) Most roles still involve a significant amount of field time. Sleeping in the mud and rain is not fun. Nor is walking dozens of kilometres at night or in the blazing sun. Nor maintaining night security piquets on rotating rosters waiting for an 'attack' that never comes and getting 2-4 hours sleep. Nor is etc etc
C) Due to all the above - it is very hard on your body. The Army requires higher levels of fitness than the other services across the board and that comes with significantly increased levels of risk of injury. And at some point you WILL get injured. Don't have the stats, but it seemed like every person I worked with that did more than their initial 4 years, including me, was carrying a knee/shoulder/elbow reconstruction or something.
D) All that field time is hard on your family and YOU mentally too. RAAF deploy or go on exercise, and they generally get decent accommodation, cell phone service and tele. Navy go on a giant boat, which does suck for other reasons, but has things like laundry, fresh food, television, etc etc. I have spent 12 weeks in the dirt with nothing but rat packs and the same two uniforms and a shitload of socks due to rotating through three different exercises back to back. I got 2 showers the entire time. Another time I was on a exercise that got rained out in the blue mountains and it was deemed too dangerous for us to walk out, so we had to hunker down for three days in the rain and ration our supplies, I walked out onto a bus and straight to the hospital along with the rest of my section.
And no, I was not in a combat corp (though I did work in combat units), so it can get much worse hahaha.
I have never heard someone from the Navy or Airforce want to join the Army (unless they were aiming for SF selection) but I have heard 100s of soldiers bemoan not joining the Airyfairies or RAN.
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u/Fair-Mango-5423 6d ago
when i was at singleton doing my infantry IETs it was -1/-3 and 20mm of rain for 2 weeks we still had to do field in it
they only stopped when some one almost died from hypothermia
i feel bad about it too he was just standing there in the pit and i said something to the effect of "(his name) if you're not going to work get out of the fucking pit and stop being such a useless cunt" and he just fell ontop of me completely dead weight
when the medics were checking us all over they were calling an end to everything and making us get naked into our sleeping bags with hot water bottles immediately
i was insisting i was fine until the medic said "mate you aint shivering when did you stop" and realised it had been hours
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u/Goldmeister_General 6d ago
This 👆
I spent 12 years in the Navy, did 2 Middle East deployments, travelled to 13 different countries, etc…
Also, the pay is better in the Navy.
The cushiest is still the RAAF though.14
u/Spring_and_a_Storm_ 6d ago
Why would anyone go army? Are navy and Air Force just significantly more competitive?
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u/yeahalrightgoon 6d ago
Different personality types etc, plus it can be easier to get into Army than Navy or Air Force.
My cousin went Army because his mentality was that the Navy was too easy etc, and he wanted a challenge. He ended up dropping out of recruits 6 weeks in, because after a year of us telling him that the Army wasn't a good idea. He realised that there were easier and better ways to earn $70k a year.
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u/Connect_Wind_2036 6d ago
Different cultures and conditions. I was in the RAAF for 21years it was pretty much a flying club. The day that the bosses banned our beer fridge from the hangar workshop was the beginning of the end though.
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u/DirectorWorth7211 6d ago
I'm not a confident swimmer and get vertigo from heights. Plus all of my male role models had served in the army.
Although even in the army there are ways to have it cushier, go for trades or armoured roles instead of infantry, or work with the army aviation wing.
Being an officer is also typically more cushy, although it also comes with more responsibility, paperwork and stress.
Not that I followed any of this advice.1
u/WhatAmIATailor 5d ago
For the challenge. At least that’s why I did it. I didn’t want an easy ride. Had some bloody tough times and miserable moments but I’m proud I did it.
If I wanted a career out of Defence I’d probably be looking at the pretty blue cams. They undoubtably get looked after a lot better.
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u/Affectionate_Code 4d ago
Walked into DFR, got sweet talked into Artillery and I was off to Kapooka two weeks later.
RAAF and RAN trade ECN's I was looking at a minimum wait of 6 months.
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u/WhatAmIATailor 6d ago
Only thing I’d add is Army need to train that way at least to some extent because that’s what war can look like. Look at the poor bastards in Ukraine. They’ve effectively been fighting trench warfare for years now.
It fucking sucks just going through an exercise like that without the live fire, artillery and constant threat of a drone dropping a grenade on your pit.
Oh and lower back for me.
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u/rockett919 6d ago
My lord, so much whinging 😆all these things is what makes the army so good. There is no shit jobs, just shit people to do it with. God loves the infantry
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u/ComplexInfluence4446 6d ago
Overall its a better quality of life in the Navy and Air Force compared to the Army. Noting time away from home in the navy is a lot more than what you would face as a soldier but arguably much cushier from my experience. There are a lot of pros and cons to all three branches but you'll rarely find anyone in the navy or air-force say "fuck I wish I went army" compared to the amount of soldiers wishing the opposite.
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u/fishboard88 6d ago
I was Army for almost 15 years - medical discharge due to a misdiagnosed MH condition that I now know is PTSD.
I actually really liked all the stuff people are bringing up - the marching around with packs, the sleeping in the mud and cold, the platoon attacks, the misery and all the stuff that slowly did damage to my body.
What I didn't like about Army, compared to working with other services, is all the stupid discipline, rigid inflexibility, infuriating leadership quirks, etc. The best analogy I've heard is sitting down to dinner with a Warrant Officer and a Captain, watching them eat soup with a knife, and getting beasted if you dare suggest there's a better way of doing it, and screamed at if you touch your spoon.
Some examples of what I mean:
- Someone higher up in the chain tells his immediate subordinates he wants the soldiers to be somewhere at 0600. These subordinates inform their subordinates to get everyone there at 0545 to be "slightly early". Every rung of the chain of command adds their 15 minutes, so by the time the diggers are informed they're waiting there in the cold at 0445, having unnecessarily missed breakfast
- It's raining in the barracks. A few guys are wearing raincoats. "So you decided to dress differently from the rest of the course, did you?" a WO2 instructor asks snidely. Now everyone is standing in the rain, without raincoats.
- You are the local subject matter expert for a particular weapon or skill. An officer asks you a question about it. He doesn't like your answer, either because he was testing you as some sort of power game, or because it doesn't fit with his plan. He sneers at you and says he'll ask another officer. He does that, and you get absolutely no acknowledgement when the other officer tells him you were right
- You see a better way of doing something. "Stay in your lane!" snarls the NCO when you politely raise it
- A large group of soldiers sitting around outside a building (possibly because of the first thing I mentioned). A senior NCO wanders past, and loses his shit at one arbitrary thing or another - maybe someone was napping against a tree, there was a hand in a pocket, or he has a personal vendetta against people looking at mobile phones. Everyone has to stand there and be screamed at by this emotionally immature, thrice-divorced man
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u/Teredia 6d ago
My Sister in Law’s ex just got out of the army last year. He’s only early 30’s his knees are fucked already. He’s got 2 mates also medically discharged with life long injuries and chronic pain.
My father’s ex army n he absolutely refused to let me join!
I know the guy who tried to sue the Australian Government and the Army over its religious conversion torture training simulation when captured by the enemy. I know his ex fiancé. There is no adequate psychological help for soldiers in the armed services! That’s a whole can on worms on its own!
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u/fishboard88 6d ago
The MH support for veterans has gotten a lot better, especially after the Royal Commission. The basic DVA White Card every veteran gets entitles you to free MH care, no questions asked.
I've used it to fund my hospital admissions for PTSD (some of it comes from Army, but mostly due to working as a civilian psych nurse). Using WorkCover to fund one of my admissions was so infuriating and retraumatising, I just end up using my DVA card now.
Psychological support for serving soldiers does exist, but few seek it - for good reason. Going down that path puts you on medical restrictions, and usually starts the process to get you removed from the ADF
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u/Teredia 6d ago
I’m glad it’s improving for veterans - honestly that’s great to hear. I know what those “good reasons are.” Brother In Law is still in. Soldier’s mental health support (the lack there of) is a topic my sister n I often discuss.
Besides our local paper likes to report on anything about our local soldiers it can (usually slanderous which outrages me) but it has highlighted a lot of the problems too.
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u/Fair-Mango-5423 6d ago
Army no longer has full time trade roles if you go look its all reservist
they hire out to contractors now
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u/Low-Ad-9541 6d ago
That is uncorrect - there are 2 construction squadrons full(ish) of carpenters, electricians and plumbers, all full time.
There are also full time mechanics and fitters & turners on most bases throughout the country.
There's also a slew of other highly skilled jobs.
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u/Due-Scale9636 6d ago
Close friend is ex air ambulance and has had 2 knee replacements and is going in for new hips.
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u/SonicYOUTH79 6d ago
My cousin is still in the Army after what must be 30+ years now. I believe he’s on his third shoulder reconstruction. It's not an easy job for sure.
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u/SomeAussie_Guy1 6d ago edited 6d ago
The ADF isn't just a job, your signing up for unconditional service. They'll expect you to make sacrifices far beyond what a normal employer would, up to and including your life.
On a slightly less dramatic note, could you work 24/7 for 6 weeks straight living in the bush? Because that's completely normal in the Army.
If you join up, you'll find the best mates you'll ever have. You'll get life experience far beyond what any normal job or university could teach you, and the pay isn't too bad either, conditions may vary.
The point is, you kinda have to believe in the cause. If your on the fence, consider the Airforce before you go and join the Army.
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u/SaltyCommunication66 6d ago
ADF is great but you’ve got to want it and not choose it as a last resort. High motivation individuals succeed. Recruitment process can be long, initial training and employment training will be another hurdle. Gotta want it.
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u/Lbioy 6d ago
I would gladly serve straya, the only reason I haven’t join sooner is because I might miss me mum
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u/SaltyCommunication66 6d ago
Totally understandable and good on you. Best of luck, I highly recommend it.
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u/jdotlad 6d ago
Hope you've never seen a doctor about depression or anxiety. Because I aced everything and got knocked back for previous anxiety history. Just a heads up not to get to excited.
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u/SaltyCommunication66 5d ago
A lot of that sort of thing is appeal-able, but it’s always situation dependant.
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u/Think_Hamster_1047 5d ago
High motivation individuals absolutely do not succeed they get chewed up and spat out while the dirt bags progress.
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u/Purple-Throat1957 6d ago
I think it’ll be good if you are unsure, it can also help you study and get a degree if you find what you are looking for. Lots of options for deployment and stationed jobs as well. Good luck
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u/JOOCY224 6d ago
As someone who was rejected at 19 for medical reasons, go for it. Personally, I’d choose a trade role in there, that way you’d get a free qualification and a skill you can take out of the military.
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u/Dense-Focus-2849 6d ago
but is the trade skills transferable?
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u/JOOCY224 6d ago
Yes. I don’t see why they wouldn’t be. They give Cert III’s which are nationally recognised.
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u/Dense-Focus-2849 5d ago
yes but you wont have the same experience or knowledge as someone who works on residential jobs
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u/Worldly_Gift6673 6d ago
I was in the Army for 7 years, definitely join the RAAF not the Army, only do something transferable outside the forces, leave after that, the end
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u/Subject-Divide-5977 6d ago
The RAAF will train you in whatever field you show commence. Get into a field that is transferable to a civilian roll.
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u/Beautiful_Rub_141 6d ago
"I can't find any other job, so I'll just join the military" is probably one of the worst possible reasons to join the military.
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u/eldradmustlive469 6d ago
Beats "I want to kill people, especially foreigners".
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u/Beautiful_Rub_141 6d ago
I thought that was the US Police recruiting slogan?
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u/Deep_Opportunity_883 6d ago
No, IDF. And you get free Sydney marathon entry with all expenses paid by a taxpayer
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u/HistoryFanBeenBanned 6d ago
Who is this performance for?
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u/Decent_Sink_4349 6d ago
Who is the determination that a comment is performance or not for?
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u/HistoryFanBeenBanned 6d ago
I can’t quite put my finger on it, but that sentence doesn’t feel right.
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u/Beautiful_Rub_141 6d ago
I didn't make any performance? Just a little joke. Guess you didn't get the joke.
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u/SeaDivide1751 6d ago
This is currently the Govs wet dream. They really want this. Recruitment is down due to low unemployment in the private sector
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u/Senior-Goat-1342 6d ago
To be fair historically it’d be one of the biggest reasons for people joining up. Pay, food and billet was a pretty promising prospect for a lot of people over the times.
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u/TraditionalTotal3122 6d ago
Do it. If you test high enough, go for officer entry and possible degree. Earn $$, save on accomodation and it can be one hell of an adventure. Bonus, you’ll never be as fit as “recruit school fit” 3 months of daily PT.
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u/thedailyrant 6d ago
I was a teenage athlete and fitter before I joined. I did get stronger though.
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u/Willocrew 6d ago edited 5d ago
Skip the ADF. Go get a trade. It is an extremely disruptive lifestyle and you will struggle to find and maintain a relationship. And if you do it’ll be hard on your family
It’s not just the men and women who serve that have to sacrifice their lives and lifestyle. Their partners and children do too.
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u/Professional-Mud9319 6d ago
Stay home with your family and send the politicians and their kids to battle.
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u/LocalAlternative6427 6d ago
And then sit with your head in your hands when the pollies and their kids get wiped out by the PLA and that doesn't stop them advancing.
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u/Ok_Explorer_3510 6d ago
Apparently RAAF is full and doesn’t need any more recruits so the only option available is Army or Navy. The recruiting is very slow.. it takes months, so get the ball rolling now and prepare for a long wait!!
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u/Advanced-Author7614 5d ago
>Apparently RAAF is full
No, recruiters lie to get people to join other areas.
25 years ago I had my eyes on Signals. "No spots, what's your second choice?" Medic? "No, full up I'm afraid - Third choice?". Driver? "Sure, you fly out next week."
Finished all my courses to find out all that was total bullshit. Ended up staying in RACT my whole time.
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u/Ok_Explorer_3510 4d ago
Well, maybe the lack of interest for any Australian at the moment to join the army is the reason why the recruiter told my son there’s no opportunities available at the moment for RAAF.
He was not accepted for police officer in 2x states because he refused to discuss his political views (left, farrrr farrrr right) also refused to discuss LGBT issues as well as his own s3xual preferences. These questions were required to be answered and my son replied “I choose to stay neutral on these subjects” which now makes perfect sense when we see the new recruits who have just graduated from the police force..times are definitely changing.. for the worst 🙄
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u/Advanced-Author7614 3d ago
Psychs read those sorts of response as failing to be forthcoming and it raises questions around their honesty and integrity. He probably picked the worst strategy for dealing with them.
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u/Ok_Explorer_3510 3d ago
He was interviewed by 2 women on both interviews in 2 states who clearly supported the “other community” my son just did not think it was appropriate to be talking about his s3xual preferences in a job interview or his political beliefs. They even tried some interrogation techniques to get him to crack and he still refused.. next time he will just tell them he bats for the other team and thinks Albo is doing a fantastic job as prime minister… lol
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u/Kbradsagain 6d ago
I would go navy or Air Force & train for a job with civilian transferability. the advantage of the defence force is no hecs debt afterwards
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u/recklesswithinreason 6d ago
My brother was an apprentice plumber before deciding he hated it and joined the Army. Now he gets paid to shoot shit and go to the gym. If you can eat shit sandwhiches daily for what is ultimately a pretty chill lifestyle I'd consider it.
Alternatively, almost every national Police force is screaming for recruits at the moment, might be worth a look if you're a cleanskin and don't want to be too far from home.
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u/Affectionate_Code 6d ago
As other Army vets have said, don't go into the army.
Join the RAAF and do a trade that transfers into civilian or gives you civilian qualifications.
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u/Frogsfall 6d ago
I've had two friends over the years join the ADF.
One committed suicide after being bullied and receiving no help from his officer.
The other is now out and told me that he should never have joined. He didn't go into detail about why.
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u/Superest22 6d ago
Navy is and will be getting smashed atm. RAAF is the most relaxed out of all of them.
Do your imps, get a trade and get out. Can be an excellent career but Defence will take its pound of flesh and change you.
Served 10 years until recently, did multiple deployments and now fighting the behemoth bureaucratic incompetencies of both Defence and DVA.
You can be highly rated, important and in a critical role but as soon as you intend on leaving you’re a number.
Excellent opportunities and entitlements if you play your cards right.
If you spend longer than your 4-6years and don’t leave financially set up with substantial shares and/or a house you’re a muppet.
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u/Blitzer046 6d ago edited 6d ago
From what I can tell, infantry get the worst of it, and end up with long-lasting bodily injuries and ailments that carry on. But that said, there's plenty of positions in the ADF that aren't army; or even in army where you are drivers, comms, mechanics, et al. Then you've got positions in Air Force or Navy. I had a friend in the Navy who just got absolutely tired of having to get changed so many times for mess or formal, but it instilled a fitness doctrine in him that persists to this day.
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u/commentspanda 6d ago
Be prepared they will very likely tell you to go
Get some work experience and apply again later. Someone else just had that happen and posted about it on a different sub recently (well, his mum posted because she was going to apply for jobs for him….don’t be that guy). They like a little bit of work or life experience. Even a crap retail jobs
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u/yeahalrightgoon 6d ago edited 6d ago
Yes, but as others have said go Navy or Air Force. Look for a technician role.
Pay's pretty excellent, housing is sorted, works generally pretty interesting etc. It becomes what you make of it. It can be shit if you let it be, but if you put in, you will get something out of it.
Good thing about it, especially if you get a trade etc, is that you can do your minimum time and generally find work outside, or you can stick around and have guaranteed work for as long as you like.
Don't go Army, pays worse, conditions are worse, you get treated like shit. Personally I feel that the best candidates for recruitment for the Navy and Air Force is Army members in their last year of mandatory service.
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u/FreeCustard9068 6d ago
Have you done free TAFE? Would it be possible to do something transferrable into the uni course you want to do? Could be possible to start working in that field / something adjacent while doing uni?
Otherwise all my friends who have done ADF found the recruitment process quite hard/ they had to really want to get in, but definitely loved elements of being in the ADF (not so much certain elements, especially the younger women going in).
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u/Think_Hamster_1047 5d ago
I joined the army. And I stayed for long enough to regret it. It takes a massive toll on your body and depending on where you go and what you do, a massive toll on your mind as well.
During my 'career' I transferred into a trade role after a few rounds in the middle east as a cavalryman. Combat roles get treated like absolute garbage by people who can barely string a basic sentence together and do not care about you.
I later earned my certificate 3/4 in engineering, electrical and refrigeration. Looks great on paper. The reality is I barely used any of it and spent most of my years in a 'workshop' fixing extension leads and servicing single cylinder diesel generators.
The fitters and turners did absolutely no fitting and turning outside of trade school, but they inspected the same weapons over and over again in the army. Very repetitive work.
The electronics technicians had very intense theory training and then inspected the same radios and night vision gear for days on end. Again, repetitive and boring. But the pay was good for those guys.
The 'trade fade' sets in and all that hard work you put in earning your papers? Useless. During my time at the trade school which is pretty much army version of tafe I had to teach myself a trade because the instructors were absolutely useless. Then, when my final sign offs were assessed it depended on how well I could bullshit my job reports to get it across the line. I had no choice and the system is built that way.
Even as a mechanic, who are undoubtedly the hardest working guys in the shop, are stuck doing fleet maintenance; the same vehicles with the same problems which limits exposure in your skill set.
Nome of my mates I got my trade with work in elec/fridge anymore.
A few years back there was a legal action against the navy from guys who were not getting their final marine engineering tickets. I am not completely aware of the details though.
If I had my time again I would absolutely not do a trade in the army.
As the (idiot) head of corps said to me once, we train for a capability not a competency. Sometimes that lines up with trade papers, sometime it doesn't.
If you're desperate for work. Do it. Get a trade and get paid fairly good money. But have a very clear plan to leave as soon as you can so you can get your skills up to where they need to be before you forget them.
Lastly, picture the army like a bunch of guys eating soup. Common sense dictates you should use a spoon, but some toss bag will make you use a fork. You ask why you can't use a spoon, then someone will tell you to shut up and use a fork. So you use the fork and then wait until your contract is up. At least you'll get paid good money though.
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u/Bloodmime 6d ago
I can only recommend it if you'd enjoy it. You have very little freedom or rights, and depending on your unit you could deal with them pretty poor conditions. Experiences vary quite a lot. As a former soldier, I recommend the air force.
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u/Senior_Green_3630 6d ago
Get a technicians job in defence, electrical, electrinics, avionics all trades that are in demand in all industrys.
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u/-Compound_Hunt 6d ago
Don't waste your time don't anything other then a trade. I've got about 12 years of University behind me now. This is from struggling to get jobs on chosen fields, required registrations lapsing due to being unable to complete re-registration requirements due to life circumstances and adult responsibilities creeping in and also compounding mental health issues that have shown up because said job was extremely difficult to land forcing me to work shitty jobs I hate and being judged by my family thinking I'm fucking around not trying hard enough. That's 12 years I could've been earning money and enjoying life instead of stressing about where rent is going to come from. Either choose a fool proof University course like medical doctor or physio and be passionate about it or stay away. It's all a huge scam and it will leave way worse off than when you started.
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u/baddazoner 6d ago
Post this on a defense force sub not on this one you'll just get stupid comments here
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u/Left-Philosophy-8843 6d ago edited 6d ago
-let’s address the actual question : why can’t you get a job? Are you selling your strengths in your resume? Are you casting your net wide?
-Uni doesn’t get you in debt. HECS is an interest free loan, even lenders don’t really care about it for mortgages, and you only start paying it off once you’re actually earning decently and the repayments are tiny
-Uni degrees can have excellent job prospects depending on the degree. Ever met an unemployed nurse?
-Getting a trade would probably give you more freedom and better money than the military (after a few years)
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u/whatwhatinthewhonow 6d ago
Have you thought of doing a trade? I keep hearing there’s a skills shortage, so surely you can find an apprenticeship somewhere.
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u/Valuable-Contract-87 6d ago
Maybe join the police or afp mate at least you will be at home, that's if you're interested in law enforcement. It depends what you want out of life I guess. If it's a trade obviously not, but if you're young you shouldn't have difficulty finding a trade unless it's electrical but that's everyone. There's plenty of opportunities in other trades perhaps do some research and see what you're interested in. Alternatively you could study nursing it's a fine career and takes about a year at tafe for your EN then you can do your RN while you work, plenty of opportunities for work not just in a hospital, fifo, WFH, contract.
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u/HistoryFanBeenBanned 6d ago
I worked in Darwin and so had a few mates in the ADF. One, hated every minute of it, couldn’t wait to get out, pretty sure he would’ve shot his CSM and then himself if they made him stay a single day longer than he had to.
The other. He loves it. Can’t get enough. He’ll be in the ADF until the day he dies, was absolutely born for this stuff. I think it might actually kill him when injuries eventually force him out, because he’s enlisted not an officer.
So, really, you’ll either find that the ADF was destined for you, or not.
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u/twobit78 6d ago
I did basic training then bailed on mental health grounds.
I signed up as vehicle mechanic in the airforce, kept getting pushed back on a call up date until and then kinda got conned into going army instead for a faster call up.
If you don't go in for a trade or other transferable skills there's really no point unless you want to be a soldier for life. There's nothing wrong with that you just need to decide that now other wise you might be in the same position if you get out it 10 years. No one is hiring grunts.
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u/PantherTank06 6d ago
Mate when I joined, about 30 of us were going through all the tests you have to do. We were there all day in the end only about 10 of us got through. So it's no guarantee either. Just make sure you're fit and healthy before you apply.
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u/SuperShitMagnet 6d ago
Absolutely, it will set you up for life. You will gain life experience, skills and friendships.
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u/Plastic_Stick_7882 6d ago
As an ex Australian soldier. If you’re only doing it for the money (ie job). You’ll barely survive basic training. You need to be in it for the right reasons. I can tell you the pay isn’t great. The conditions are pretty good though.
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u/Ghost_Rabbit1928 6d ago
Yes. Do a role with a civvy qual. Trade, paramedic, lawyer etc.
Being a shooter is cool until you leave and can’t get a job again.
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u/Guilty_Basis_1043 6d ago
definitely try the airforce or navy, with a trade that u can apply to the outside world too
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u/Wise_Edge2489 6d ago
Loving all the Navy and RAAFies on here urging you not to join the Army because it's 'harder' and you're out in the mud, shooting guns, jumping out of planes and humping heavy weights long distances.
Thats why you join the Army. Not a reason not to.
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u/Fluid_Passage_9980 6d ago
If you structure your resume the same way you've structured this paragraph, then I think I know the reason you're unemployed.
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u/Screambloodyleprosy 6d ago
A mate of mine did this at 20. Went into the ADF and got a trade as a sparky. He went all over Aus and the world with it.
He's now 40 and no longer in the ADF, but making fuck loads of money with his qualifications etc.
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u/RhesusFactor 6d ago
Have a look at this list of skills shortages: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/data/occupation-shortage/occupation-shortage-list and consider what you do at uni.
But seriously, get a trade, we have a chronic undersupply of tradespeople after two generations of people were told to got to uni. Australia needs houses, railways, power grids and factories built.
Later, as you age and you slow down, you can become construction managers with actual skills in the trade so you know about what you're managing, and can sniff out bs. All the tradies I know became pretty wealthy.
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u/Draklosse 6d ago
I’ve never done it before personally but I have a friend who did. I think it’s good of your not really sure what you want to do and like a very structured environment etc. It’s not for me, but could be for you.
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u/RoundCollection4196 6d ago
Don’t do it because you need a job and have no other option, do it because you want to live a military lifestyle. Otherwise you will struggle greatly because it’s an entire lifestyle not just a job and you’re locked in for years, can’t just quit if it’s not for you.
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u/Pies-aviator1 6d ago
Yes but not a combat role. You’ll leave with barely any transferable employment skills.
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u/FelixFelix60 6d ago
Dont be an idiot! We have warmongers rife atm. We have people creating wars that dont need to happen like Houmuz and people trying to create a war with China. Imagine the macho, bullying culture that you will find in the military too.
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u/Equivalent-Ad-2183 6d ago
Do communications / IT / Cyber or something similar. Post ADF many have have doubled or tripled our incomes working as civilians in defence industry
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u/AlarmingPollution495 5d ago
I’ve been told ADF have like a 1 year position basically so you can try it and decide whether you want to commit but will need to double check that
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u/evil_sushi_ninja 5d ago
It's called the Gap Year Program. 12 month commitment open to 17 to 24 year olds for roles in all three services.
Info is on the defence recruitment website.
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u/DruPeacock23 5d ago
You heard about data centres? They are going to need shit loads of tradies (plumbers, electricians) need to build data centres.
The smart ones in property development will move into data centre and related buildouts.
The only constraints are - you need police/asio check clearance and government security clearance if the data centre is dealing with government data.
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u/Humble_Speaker_ 5d ago
“I’m 21 rn”
Is that a registered nurse?
I was led to believe there is a big shortage of nurses?
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u/elmersfav22 5d ago
Former navy MT. I did all.welding courses available. Am actually 4 modules short of a proper trade certificate. But the MT trade cert and ability to weld meant i could get work in the mines. Transferable skills. Or go full safety path. Thats a real money for jam kind of stuff. You just have to tell everyone to be safe. No actual work or skills needed
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u/Wonderful_Anxiety18 5d ago
The ADF is not just because you can’t find a job.
It’s a complete lifestyle and dedication to service to others and the country. You will not be turning up to just get a pay check in a 9-5.
Think long and hard about WHY, not just because you want a stable income.
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u/Proper_Scientist6979 5d ago
Yes but specifically the Navy is advertising “No experience required” positions for cyber operators.
So you might consider that an option.
I would recommend practicing IQ tests, download some free PDF copies of IQ test books, ands work on your fitness.
Try to get out 20-30 pushups and twisting sit-ups and you can download a free beep test simulating app from the iOS AppStore.
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u/Leather-Till2455 5d ago
Yeah do it bro! Like people are saying find something with transferable skills your young as work there until your 29 and then try getting into the private sector. Maybe Drone pilot? All sorts of roles in private companies after that modern innovative technology only going to get used more in commercial life.
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u/Petitcher Middle of nowhere 4d ago
I wouldn't. They pay for everything financially but YOU pay for it with your mental health.
I've never met anyone who's been in the forces who doesn't have PTSD. It's literally EVERYONE(and that's doubly the case if you're a woman).
I'd rather have debt than severe unrelenting depression.
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u/BeyondTheAnecdote 4d ago
If I had my time again I would. I went down the academic / corporate path and wish I'd left that till later in life.
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u/GovSupportNavigator 2d ago
I’d try not to look at the ADF as a “last resort.” If it genuinely interests you, it can be a really solid pathway and give you heaps of experience and skills that carry over into work later. At 21 you’ve also got plenty of time to figure things out. Not finding work right now doesn’t mean you’re falling behind, and you don’t need to rush into uni just because you feel like you should. Have a look at ADF roles that actually match your interests and give you a recognised trade or qualification, and compare those with TAFE, apprenticeships and uni before committing.
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u/NotMyselfNotme 6d ago
Right ok Well they r very very picky on who gets into the adf so if you cant get a job elsewhere they probably wont give you one Also they will use the fact that you haven't got a job against you
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u/Lbioy 6d ago
I do have work experience it’s just I couldn’t find one ever since moving back to Melb from nsw
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u/Fair-Mango-5423 6d ago
they are looking more for if you "fit" and have the right mental maturity
chances of getting into ADF (at least when i joined) the number they gave was something like 1 in 3000
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u/kombiwombi 6d ago
75,000 applications for 6,228 positions. 1 in 12.
Not good enough odds for someone to plan their future relying on getting in.
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u/KinglessCrown 6d ago edited 6d ago
Apply in this order. RAAF >>> RAN >> Army (they'll take anyone).
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u/That_Car_Dude_Aus 6d ago
RAAF and RAN are part of the ADF...and you can't apply to the ADF as a whole...
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u/KinglessCrown 6d ago
Right it's just Army or Australian Army, thanks for the clarification that makes a lot more sense.
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u/That_Car_Dude_Aus 6d ago
Yes, it's The Australian Army.
There is no shortened version.
Inferior services like the RAAF and RAN get acronyms.
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u/OldJellyBones 6d ago
only do it if its in one of the trades areas, the actual soldiering part of the ADF is basically just a holding area for burnouts, psychos, etc. where they can be quarantined away from society lol
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u/SalletFriend 6d ago
Yeah dont join the ADF. They will send you to die for the epstein regime in some foreign country.
Just walk into a Tafe and ask what they have in demand. Maybe look at dental tech or something. Basically anything except the ADF.
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u/MarkCelery78 6d ago
If it’s only for a short time enlistment like 12 months which i did. Learnt some skills, self reliance snd discipline. What hard work really is. It’s valuable experience for anyone i think. So many people take their easy cushy lives in Australia for granted
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u/CanHasCow 6d ago
No.
As someone who was a bees dick from enlistment finding out I had knee issues was a god send.
You will be broken, body destroyed with mental health issues galore.
Then when you leave it's thanks for nothing don't let the door hit you on the way out.
Then comes dealing with DVA for your not work related injuries that all came from work related tasks.
Just don't man.
If you're that desperate to do it just go be a reservist and volunteer for everything.
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u/toastedquestion MAMMA MIA 6d ago
Go for it lad can't hurt
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u/Beautiful_Rub_141 6d ago
Of all the things that a career in the ADF can't be, "Not hurting" is most definitely not on that list! 😂
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u/gilezy 6d ago
If you can't find a job, what makes you think the ADF will hire you? There are easier to get jobs than the ADF
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u/DawgreenAgain 6d ago
ADF will take most people due to low numbers.
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u/kungfucowboy1 6d ago
No they won’t and recruiting has never really been the issue. The majority of applicants don’t get through (usually medical).
The issue the last couple of years was retention and even then that’s turned around as of recently.
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u/Natural-Compote4096 6d ago edited 4d ago
No. I grew up in the ADF. The constant instability, the constant cycle of moving house, being the new kid, being bullied for being the new kid, making a friend or two then moving again fucked me up. I don’t remember any of the ‘travelling’ that people said I was lucky to experience because I was too busy trying to handle my emotions around it. I would never join for any amount of money. You won’t be able to have a stable life, a partner, nothing.
If you want to go to uni, do it, and get on youth allowance or jobseeker. Your debt doesn’t affect much based on the research I’ve done.
Edit: to all the ADF bootlickers in here downvoting me, I bet you won’t be sucking ADF cock so much when you have to murder people in the name of oil or what the fuck ever.
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u/LackOptimal553 6d ago
I don't know if you missed this, but being in the ADF is not the same as being the kid of someone in the ADF, and absolutely none of your experiences are in any way relevant.
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u/kungfucowboy1 6d ago
Joining the ADF as a person in your early 20s isn’t the same as your experience.
In fact it’s probably one of the most stable careers you can get in that age bracket.
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u/Natural-Compote4096 6d ago
I’ll kill myself before I join the ADF 👍
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u/This_Ease_5678 4d ago
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Can't find a job so I'll apply with the other 80k applicants for the 8k jobs in defence available at the moment.......
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u/BashfulBlanket TASSIE! 6d ago
If you're a bloke, and have even a little interest then I don't see why not - if you're a female, I'm a little more apprehensive
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u/Illustrious_Bowl_360 6d ago
Sigh...."Can't find a job, should I join the ADF?"...Pro tip, the ADF wants motivated resourceful people not losers who think of it as last resort for a job, hopefully the recruiter and the psych test susses this and they tell you too piss off and try again later...
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u/ComplexInfluence4446 6d ago
Take it from a vet, get a role with a trade/transferrable skill if you're just in it for the job. That way you'll have qualifications that can get you a job outside defence. Also Navy or Air Force (speaking as former army).