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ADF Gap Year (6 Viewers)

lucyc

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Gah. So, does anyone else think it's a good idea, that if I don't get into the gap year, just to join the airforce through regular officer entry? But I wish to do the gap year so I can get into ADFA and if I go in with just a normal contract, at the end of it I won't have a uni degree and yeh... any thoughts?
 

ASNSWR127

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lucyc said:
Gah. So, does anyone else think it's a good idea, that if I don't get into the gap year, just to join the airforce through regular officer entry? But I wish to do the gap year so I can get into ADFA and if I go in with just a normal contract, at the end of it I won't have a uni degree and yeh... any thoughts?
Just go DEO.

No uni degree but you will still have a rewarding and fulfilling career in the RAAF.

You can also apply for the ADF to sponsor any study you may wish to do in the future whilst still in the forces.
 

lucyc

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yeh, i got told i could do uni part time? but how? i would have top do it by correspondance and wouldn't it be difficult whilst working full time in raaf?
 

ASNSWR127

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lucyc said:
yeh, i got told i could do uni part time? but how? i would have top do it by correspondance and wouldn't it be difficult whilst working full time in raaf?
nah they allow you time off and they allow you to do it full time if you so choose :)

they pay for it so long as you pay them back (by years of service)
 

lucyc

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so its pretty much like the undergradute thing when they pay for you to go to a civi uni?
 

ASNSWR127

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lucyc said:
so its pretty much like the undergradute thing when they pay for you to go to a civi uni?
yeah exactly

They sponsor you to go to a civvie uni in any number of degrees (that they require) you are paid to the commissioned rank that you currently hold.

Plus they pay for all fess etc.

So long as you pay them back the same as normal undergrad students.

So you think you might do that?

They are especially keen for people to do it with med because they sometimes have a shortage of MO's that are suitable for RAAF med - same with Nursing i.e they can be all academic but not really very good at jumping out of helo's and battlefield retrieval etc. good plan I think
 

Wooz

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ASNSWR127 said:
yeah exactly

They sponsor you to go to a civvie uni in any number of degrees (that they require) you are paid to the commissioned rank that you currently hold.

Plus they pay for all fess etc.

So long as you pay them back the same as normal undergrad students.

So you think you might do that?

They are especially keen for people to do it with med because they sometimes have a shortage of MO's that are suitable for RAAF med - same with Nursing i.e they can be all academic but not really very good at jumping out of helo's and battlefield retrieval etc. good plan I think
I would only join the RAAF as a medical officer in the RAAFSR. Due to the shortage you could be transfered across the services, transfered to bases other than your preferred ones, etc. Also they wan't 5-6 years for medical graduates, it's just not feasable especially if you want to do a specialisation outside of tropical, aviation and underwater medicine.
 

dowdy23

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what's the room like where the doctor checks you, and is it heaps awkward when he has to check your privates?
 

ace17

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nessyismad said:
Hey guys,

Ive been offered a position for ADF Combat Engineer next year.
I think its a great opportunity and everyone should definately look at giving it a crack.
And if you have trouble getting through the application process like I have had, dont sweat it it will all come together in the end.
Is anyone else enlisting on the 16th February 2009?

Good Luck!
What the? Did you get combat engineer for GAP year? I was screwed around for about 2 months because they said they were abandoning the combat engineer option because it's not financially feasible to train us if they weren't getting the 4 years return of service. I will be royally pissed if they have opened it up now after I've done my assessment day.

Also to dowdy, medical is really hyped more than it needs to be. The room is totally private and there's only a doctor and you in the room. I'm pretty sure you have to get them annually once you're in anyway so you better get used to it :p
 

ASNSWR127

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ace17 said:
What the? Did you get combat engineer for GAP year? I was screwed around for about 2 months because they said they were abandoning the combat engineer option because it's not financially feasible to train us if they weren't getting the 4 years return of service. I will be royally pissed if they have opened it up now after I've done my assessment day.

Also to dowdy, medical is really hyped more than it needs to be. The room is totally private and there's only a doctor and you in the room. I'm pretty sure you have to get them annually once you're in anyway so you better get used to it :p
Nah he would be doing it regulars I think...
 

ASNSWR127

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dowdy23 said:
what's the room like where the doctor checks you, and is it heaps awkward when he has to check your privates?
If you feel awkward under any circumstances about people seeing "your privates" then I suggest the ADF isn't for you...
 

ASNSWR127

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Wooz said:
I would only join the RAAF as a medical officer in the RAAFSR. Due to the shortage you could be transfered across the services, transfered to bases other than your preferred ones, etc. Also they wan't 5-6 years for medical graduates, it's just not feasable especially if you want to do a specialisation outside of tropical, aviation and underwater medicine.
That's not true the RAAF requires MO's for General practice, emergency (trauma) etc just the same as anywhere.

Plus you don't go in the forces to work a '9-5' job, you should relish the opportunity to move around, get deployed, see and experience new places.

You should (ideally) also not want to leave the forces after your initial return of service after sponsorship, in many professions the forces would be the best place to practice.

The forces are not another business or employment agency (this is where DFR has gone wrong I tend to feel), it should be what you can provide (especially as an MO!) not so much what the RAAF can give you.

Of course perks and other recognition is nice but I don't think that is the basis on which "ANZAC" was formed...

It isn't a business.
 

SonicMouse

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dowdy23 said:
what's the room like where the doctor checks you, and is it heaps awkward when he has to check your privates?
dude... i think its a given that it is indeed akward. even more akward when the doc tries to crack a joke while touching your privates

Also, did anyone receive a letter after their assessment day and blood test saying that you need to call the ADF and discuss the blood test results??
 

mattkraeh2906

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yeah i got a call regarding the blood tests they just tell you your fine lol . they also say dont get any weird body peircings explict tatoo's or have any unprotected sex before enlistment.
 

nessyismad

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ace17 said:
What the? Did you get combat engineer for GAP year? I was screwed around for about 2 months because they said they were abandoning the combat engineer option because it's not financially feasible to train us if they weren't getting the 4 years return of service. I will be royally pissed if they have opened it up now after I've done my assessment day.

Yep iv been accepted for Combat Engineer ADF Gap Year. I know it says its not available on the web site but they will take it off once it has been filled. If ive heard that iv been accepted and now they tell me that i havent i will be royally pissed off too.
 

SonicMouse

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did they tell you whether u got the job or not in the phonecall regarding the bloodtest?? @ Mattkraeh
 

pippamason

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elena24 said:
firstly they cannot possibly send u to iraq..not enough time to train u and deploy u. im not defending it but just stating the apparent facts. i guess most are pretty pessimistic and cynical about it..and i mean with good reason, but i still dunno...:S
That's bullshit.
I've been accepted and they certainly will not send you there after a few months training!
 

brunskill

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gonnafailhsc said:
I'm not sure of it's too late to apply, you should try though.

Fitness Test is on December 17th, I've quit smoking and going on a fitness program. I don't want to get in by achieving the minimal standards, i want to leave an impression lol.

Good luck to everyone!! I applied as Plan B just in case i don't make it to Uni, but research shows "Gap Year" enables students to focus on their studies and excel upon returning. And which employer wouldn't be impressed with military training?

Lol take care everyone, good luck with HSC and remember to follow your heart, not your wallet.
Hi,
Just a quick question if you don't mind; i was wondering how long it took for ADF to get back to you about the date of your fitness examination? And, or, would they send out notification if you were unsuccessful in getting a placement?
I'v completed all the other assessment but i havent heard anything in a little while so i'm starting to get anxious :p
Thanks heaps, good luck with your fitness! =]
 

brunskill

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lucyc said:
You can in the RAAF. I swear it's different to the other services in that you don't chose a specific job etc etc and its OE.
You're right, i'm applying for Officer - Gap Year. It's different for the Air Force.
Have you gone for your assessment day? Do you know if your in yet?
 

Wooz

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ASNSWR127 said:
That's not true the RAAF requires MO's for General practice, emergency (trauma) etc just the same as anywhere.

Plus you don't go in the forces to work a '9-5' job, you should relish the opportunity to move around, get deployed, see and experience new places.

You should (ideally) also not want to leave the forces after your initial return of service after sponsorship, in many professions the forces would be the best place to practice.

The forces are not another business or employment agency (this is where DFR has gone wrong I tend to feel), it should be what you can provide (especially as an MO!) not so much what the RAAF can give you.

Of course perks and other recognition is nice but I don't think that is the basis on which "ANZAC" was formed...

It isn't a business.
Most military personel are sent to see civiliian doctors and most doctors in the RAAF are specialists in other areas. It's also not that simple, i've seen family friends being treated like dog-shit in the military due to the shortages. MO's in the army or RAAF being sent on 6 month stints with the navy repeatedly.

Also you don't understand that the training doctors must have to even enter the airforce as a medical officer is 10-11 years on average. The RAAF does not really provide any other industry expertise apart from tropical, aviation and undertwater medicine. Also the pay isn't that great either and yes i know about the pay scales and the benefits, etc.

Like I said before i would only enter the RAAF in the specialist reserve.
 

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