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ADF Gap Year (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter elena24
- Start date
Hi,
I'm a student at Swinburne University currently writing a Feature Story on students participating in the ADF's Gap Year Program. I am looking for participants who are either considering the program, have already applied, or have already taken part in the program. The purpose of the interview is to gain an understanding of why students choose to defer their studies to participate in the program. The article will hopefully be published in the University Magazine - Utimes. If you are interested in being involved please let me know.
I'm a student at Swinburne University currently writing a Feature Story on students participating in the ADF's Gap Year Program. I am looking for participants who are either considering the program, have already applied, or have already taken part in the program. The purpose of the interview is to gain an understanding of why students choose to defer their studies to participate in the program. The article will hopefully be published in the University Magazine - Utimes. If you are interested in being involved please let me know.
Indigo_Child
New Member
- Joined
- May 19, 2009
- Messages
- 8
- Gender
- Female
- HSC
- 2006
Hey Guys!!
Just reading through your posts its seems that recruiting for the program has changed some what since i joined in April 08.
I put my first applications in October 07, after doing 12 months uni. I had finished the process by November, and received my offer in December.
My intake was one of the first where they realised that due to demand, they could be selective, they are afterall, trying to make officers out of you.
My intake date was some 6 months after my assessment day, and this was in the very early days of the program (Part of the 4th intake, that is, the first 50 participants)
Physically, you would want to have some level of fitness past your usual weekend sport. Before I enlisted I ran more than 40km a week, and could do approximately 30 full pushups and 100 military sit-ups, and even with that, recruit phase fitness was no walk in the park. I recommend that you get yourself to the level where you can pass the recruit school fit test BEFORE you enlist, as you do the test in your second week, and the remedial training that you get for failing the test IS NOT WORTH IT. Although I didn't fail, I saw my friends that did, struggle.
My second piece of advice is that this program has been invaluable to me. STICK IT OUT. I cannot explain how greatful I am for the experience, it is life changing, it makes you grow up, and fast. The experiences you have are once in a life time. Recruit school is designed to break you, but if you can get past that 11 weeks ( I nearly didn't, I hated it) the world is at your feet.
Anyway.... Just a few cool things I did in my GAP YR....
* Toured the Indonesian Islands, and visiting Vanuatu
* Did the sea patrol thing.... got launched of a ship in a jet boat.
* Launched in a Seahawk Helicopter off the back of a ship in rough seas, flew over a reef before landing on the ship again
* Met members of foreign armies and navies.
* Participated in a REAL man over-board situation
* Participated in the Fleet Review on Sydney Harbour (20 odd ships)
* Participated in the freedom of entry into sydney, 4600 sailors marched
* ANZAC DAY march sydney.... all I can say is WOW.
* Became a RELIED upon member of the ship, that is if a war-like or emergency situation had erupted, I was called upon to steer the ship if there was a steering failure
* Did a month long tour of New Zealand
AND BEST OF ALL!!!! the navy paid for me to have my wisdom teeth out.... saving me about $4000!
AND THE PAY IS PHENOMENAL !!!! (after recruit school lol)
ive just bought a brand new car with my savings, and i have 5000 to spare
Just reading through your posts its seems that recruiting for the program has changed some what since i joined in April 08.
I put my first applications in October 07, after doing 12 months uni. I had finished the process by November, and received my offer in December.
My intake was one of the first where they realised that due to demand, they could be selective, they are afterall, trying to make officers out of you.
My intake date was some 6 months after my assessment day, and this was in the very early days of the program (Part of the 4th intake, that is, the first 50 participants)
Physically, you would want to have some level of fitness past your usual weekend sport. Before I enlisted I ran more than 40km a week, and could do approximately 30 full pushups and 100 military sit-ups, and even with that, recruit phase fitness was no walk in the park. I recommend that you get yourself to the level where you can pass the recruit school fit test BEFORE you enlist, as you do the test in your second week, and the remedial training that you get for failing the test IS NOT WORTH IT. Although I didn't fail, I saw my friends that did, struggle.
My second piece of advice is that this program has been invaluable to me. STICK IT OUT. I cannot explain how greatful I am for the experience, it is life changing, it makes you grow up, and fast. The experiences you have are once in a life time. Recruit school is designed to break you, but if you can get past that 11 weeks ( I nearly didn't, I hated it) the world is at your feet.
Anyway.... Just a few cool things I did in my GAP YR....
* Toured the Indonesian Islands, and visiting Vanuatu
* Did the sea patrol thing.... got launched of a ship in a jet boat.
* Launched in a Seahawk Helicopter off the back of a ship in rough seas, flew over a reef before landing on the ship again
* Met members of foreign armies and navies.
* Participated in a REAL man over-board situation
* Participated in the Fleet Review on Sydney Harbour (20 odd ships)
* Participated in the freedom of entry into sydney, 4600 sailors marched
* ANZAC DAY march sydney.... all I can say is WOW.
* Became a RELIED upon member of the ship, that is if a war-like or emergency situation had erupted, I was called upon to steer the ship if there was a steering failure
* Did a month long tour of New Zealand
AND BEST OF ALL!!!! the navy paid for me to have my wisdom teeth out.... saving me about $4000!
AND THE PAY IS PHENOMENAL !!!! (after recruit school lol)
ive just bought a brand new car with my savings, and i have 5000 to spare
Enchantress91
Member
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2009
- Messages
- 160
- Gender
- Female
- HSC
- 2009
That sounds awesome Indigo Child, which makes the following news report (29/5/09) even more devastating:
ADF gap year program halved with cuts to reserve positions to follow
Sh*t...
ADF gap year program halved with cuts to reserve positions to follow
Sh*t...
Indigo_Child
New Member
- Joined
- May 19, 2009
- Messages
- 8
- Gender
- Female
- HSC
- 2006
Hey guys!
Ive always been a bit of a fitness freak, but I started high level training in August the year prior (approx 9 mo. before intake)
Dont worry about the not getting a spot... ive found if you ask to be put on an last minute intake that is, someone doesnt meet requirements, you take their spot, you may get a position. You still need to accept their intake date (if offered) but tell them you want to go ASAP and will fill any spare positions, that is, if you dont mind the thought of getting packed off with only about a weeks notice!
I cant say how much this program has changed me, and in such a positive way. All I can suggest is, doing as I did, do one or two semesters of Uni THEN go in the next round of intakes. I was 19 entering the program and turned 20 during recruit school, You dont have to be straight out of school to be a GAP YR!
Ive always been a bit of a fitness freak, but I started high level training in August the year prior (approx 9 mo. before intake)
Dont worry about the not getting a spot... ive found if you ask to be put on an last minute intake that is, someone doesnt meet requirements, you take their spot, you may get a position. You still need to accept their intake date (if offered) but tell them you want to go ASAP and will fill any spare positions, that is, if you dont mind the thought of getting packed off with only about a weeks notice!
I cant say how much this program has changed me, and in such a positive way. All I can suggest is, doing as I did, do one or two semesters of Uni THEN go in the next round of intakes. I was 19 entering the program and turned 20 during recruit school, You dont have to be straight out of school to be a GAP YR!
Indigo_Child
New Member
- Joined
- May 19, 2009
- Messages
- 8
- Gender
- Female
- HSC
- 2006
HEAPS!!!! The ADFGY-N program is majority girls (approx 60-70%)general intake is about a 60/40 (more boys) means that the girls are getting a great go. This is a great option for girls as it give you a chance to try out the military lifestyle, as some find it too physical.
betajosh711
New Member
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2008
- Messages
- 4
- Gender
- Male
- HSC
- 2009
That's some good info. I also applied asap when the applications opened, did the online tests all that. (damn block questions) but all i received was the "shortlisted by September" message. anyone know if we'll have to apply for a you session or not?
Signed up for the Army as a Rifleman while my friend signed as a Combat Engy.
Heard good stories about both so hopefully we all get in ;D
People got any info about the pay and tax, all that? :S
Signed up for the Army as a Rifleman while my friend signed as a Combat Engy.
Heard good stories about both so hopefully we all get in ;D
People got any info about the pay and tax, all that? :S