Joining The Army

[xa-mont]

A few things ill add to what everyone else has said, and my opinion is from the opposite side to what everyone else has said so far...

Just a bit of background... I have been a Communications and Information Systems Controller (CISCON) in the RAAF for almost 4 years now and I will be getting out in December which is the earliest possible I can. A CISCON is a similar role to the job you are going for in the Army.

As far as the interview process and whatnot is concerned, just be yourself, if your right for it you will get accepted, if your not you wont. Study up on your job and what it entails, remember it for the interview, and then forget everything you learned after the interview because recruiting has all of the IT&T jobs COMPLETELY wrong, and the recruiter will only know what the web tells him (unless he is a coms/geek type himself)

Trade quals that you already have will not be required at all, and if they want you to do training that is the same in your IET's you will be deing it anyway, no RPL for IET's.

You WILL however get some quals from your trade, mainly CCNA, a bit later on CCNP and I think a couple more cisco ones later on down the track.

If you are the type of person who likes to work your way up in a company/job as quick as possible with your skill and experience being the things that get you promoted... STAY AWAY FROM THE DEFENCE FORCE!!! promotions are NEVER based soley on skill and merrit. They are based first and foremost on how much time you have done, THEN on merrit, so dont expect to rush your way through the ranks, its a LONG DRAWN OUT PROCESS especially in the Army.

And to completely counter KS's comments, the defence force was a life move that I completely regret, I would have been better off just getting my cert 4 or diploma in networking and shooting straight into the real world, and work my way through there. I have spent the last 3 years of my life going to work and doing SFA for 12 hours then coming home. A HUGE WASTE OF MY TIME, the defence force is reactionary, unless something happens, you do nothing.(apart from practice what to do when something happens... yay for doing the same sh*t over and over)

Another thing, what do you do for a job now?

[Mat]

Kael, why did you not go through with joining the army though?

[Guest]

Yea Kael, why not? All the men you can handle & good job security

[XRDOSE]

Another thing, what do you do for a job now?

at the moment working at racv in the call centre doing roadside assistance but have been a foxtel technician in the past installing satellites n what not, that's why I saw this position im going for and was interested because I liked what I was doing before and the army just offers alot more in terms of keeping fit while getting paid very well.

also why do people say the RAAF is better than the army? I had a look at the RAAF but couldnt find a similar position.

Thanks for all the info Man-Pants and xa-mont!

if anyone else has any input its most welcome.

Edited 11/03/09 12:56 AM by XRDOSE

[Under-Pants]

Kael, why did you not go through with joining the army though?

Didn't apply for the Army Mat, I was a RAAF candidaite...

I wanted to be a pilot, through & through no jokes about it... I didn't apply for if (we are talking early-mid last year) but I applied to enter as a Direct Entry Officer (GAP) which would give me the chance to get ahead in an Air Force career & the ability to leave or undertake/apply for any job I wanted after 12 months. My plan was to go onto the Defence Force Acadamy (sp?) & study then become a pilot.

All was good with the recruitment process, but I was advised during my assessment day medical that under the current rules I could not/would not be able to enter the RAAF as a pilot due to my seated height being two cm's above the limit

I went ahead with my Officer Selection Board nevertheless, was successful & recived a first round offer late last year, which I did not accept, because although I always wanted to be in the military, my passion lied with aviation

Yea Kael, why not? I'd love to be doing it... All the men you can handle & good job security

DOSE I also just realised my linkage didn't work

I'd suggest doing this test about a dozen times mate, it is very similar to the GAT test you undertake on you're JOES/YOU's session

http://www.funeducation.com/Tests/IQTest/TakeTest.aspx

[Guest]

KOK pilot issit Kael??

[Under-Pants]

You're face

[xa-mont]

possibly have a look at the CETech (Communications Electronics) job in the RAAF, they are a more technical IT&T type job.

The RAAF is better than the army because it is a LOT more relaxed, in the army you call your corpral "corpral"... in the raaf its first name basis, I call my CPL my SGT's my FSGT and my WGCDR all by first name, you would get yelled at for days for that kinda sh*t in the army

[bjc]

I'll tell you again, if you are really serious about a military role then join the RAAF.

Or dont listen to any of us, join the Army and find out why we said join the RAAF!

As xa-mount has mentioned every f@ckwit gets promoted not just because you know your job, but with the army they hand out rank like lollies and time in job or knowledge doesn't mean sh!t now adays.

[Mat]

Didn't apply for the Army Mat, I was a RAAF candidaite...

I wanted to be a pilot, through & through no jokes about it... I didn't apply for if (we are talking early-mid last year) but I applied to enter as a Direct Entry Officer (GAP) which would give me the chance to get ahead in an Air Force career & the ability to leave or undertake/apply for any job I wanted after 12 months. My plan was to go onto the Defence Force Acadamy (sp?) & study then become a pilot.

All was good with the recruitment process, but I was advised during my assessment day medical that under the current rules I could not/would not be able to enter the RAAF as a pilot due to my seated height being two cm's above the limit

I went ahead with my Officer Selection Board nevertheless, was successful & recived a first round offer late last year, which I did not accept, because although I always wanted to be in the military, my passion lied with aviation

Well since you've got a pilot's license (I assume there are different levels?) could you not become a commercial pilot? Job security might not be too great soon but

In regards to recruitment, a girl who worked for me joined the police force 12months ago and is VERY stupid. Nice girl but useless really. I believe she got a job based on police numbers dropping. I assume plenty of people who work in the defence got in the same way?? Would things be much harder in our current situation?