Joining the forces

[VZCalZone]

In the process of joining the navy as an Electronics technician apprentice. Anyone been or done this? Any advice or hints for recruitment. Did you find it fullfilling or wish you had chosen another career path. Thank in advance.

http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/default.asp?p=775

[AirStrike]

In the process of joining the navy as an Electronics technician apprentice. Anyone been or done this? Any advice or hints for recruitment. Did you find it fullfilling or wish you had chosen another career path. Thank in advance.

http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/default.asp?p=775

Speak to Garth, this is exactly what he did.
AirStrike

[minux]

I wasn't in Navy, but was in Army, from what i hear and see now, there is no point joining, all civilian run, recruit courses only 28 days, it defeats the purpose of the force...great to see our tradition of worlds best trained general soldier is pissing down the gurgler.

[VZCalZone]

you had a bad experience with the army did you not? Was it preventable. I don't imagine it to be like in the brochure but it should be alright. Don't even have to do push-ups to get in the Navy now. Hmm. Gotta start moving in my life and now looks like a good time. Any input would be great

[minux]

you had a bad experience with the army did you not? Was it preventable. I don't imagine it to be like in the brochure but it should be alright. Don't even have to do push-ups to get in the Navy now. Hmm. Gotta start moving in my life and now looks like a good time. Any input would be great

I didnt have a bad experience...granted i broke both my legs causing me to be med cl 4 discharged. However, that wasn't a bad experience. I loved it.

Now though i have mates lining up to be discharged because it isn't the same anymore, it is a job now, not a lifestyle. Recruiting is a joke, IET is a joke, the defence force in general is a joke, but then, i am a family bred soldier, every member of my family for the past 3 generations has served...so i guess i am a little bias.

It is fun if you get into a good unit, but then in the navy guess its a lil different.

And for anyone who has served...

We're a pack of bastards, bastards are we.... and i'll leave it at that

[bangers]

why don't you join the reserves first?

[Hot-Rod]

Man the defence forces isn't the only problem force. Other forces in Aust not mentioning names have really lazyo fare recruitment meaning and dick, tom or harry could enlist/enroll.

[Garth]

joined the navy, was a etp, spent 4 and a bit yrs in it,

left the navy with my etp, all i ended up with was a lot of memories and a headache.

the etp, etc and etw rates are not civilian accredited, you will end up with a restricted electrical workers licence, or applance repair ticket. once you leave, you will spend the next 4 years doing a apprenticeship becuase the navy teaches you one thing, whitch is a joke,

my personal advice would be to talk to a group training scheme, get a apprenticeship threw them.
im now a fully quallified electrical fitter mechanic. may have taken 4 yrs, but the navy qualifications turned out to be worth nothing

think long and hard, live in the navy isnt all it's hyped up to be. take some serous advice, dont do it, dont waste 6 yrs of your life only to get out and realize the qualifications are worth shit, and you will be unemployable.

[deserthead]

Mate, be prepared to be treated like shit for bout a ear and a half!!
The training base the navy have is CRAP!!!
I spent a year down there. . . . .
NEVER again!!

They teach all the theory first then after traing you finally get to look at the shit they were talking about. . . .
Bad way to train people.

Oh yeh and also be prepared to not think for yourself, be treated like a spastic, looked down upon. . . .

I'd seriously look into it more b4 u do it.
Especially the navy. . . .

[ssute57l]

Hope you enjoy the medical, being poked and prodded, look for other gov depts for apprentiship or better still do it in a private company and then look for gov positions.

[VZCalZone]

thanks for ideas, suggestions.
keep them coming

[Dragz]

as i read the post man the suggestions equal to.. Dont join its Worthless...talk to a place that will take u up and give u something that u can go on with and get something outa it...seriously man u should really think about this....i was thinking to join the army but after what ive heard theres no way in hell im going to....so yea man just think it threw.

Dragz.

[HoZy]

I was accepted into the Air Force under Avionics Electrial Techinician Apprentice...

Turned it down, Courses are now half assed, An as Minux said, Mostly civilian run.

My father was in the air force back in the 70's only thing he had to say when he saw everything was "Gee Times Have Changed, People Are Too Lazy Now"

Cheers
MaT

P.S- My main concern was throwing a lot away an leaving. Because no matter what you are, What class you are..... You all get weapon training, an if they NEED you, You have no say. Then OWN you.

[VZCalZone]

as i read the post man the suggestions equal to.. Dont join its Worthless...talk to a place that will take u up and give u something that u can go on with and get something outa it...seriously man u should really think about this....i was thinking to join the army but after what ive heard theres no way in hell im going to....so yea man just think it threw.

Dragz.

what did you hear? Nobody on here has any positives about it yet the people i know who have joined the forces reckon it's great. i really wanna get a career going so I thought i'd look into it. thanks for all replies

[minux]

what did you hear? Nobody on here has any positives about it yet the people i know who have joined the forces reckon it's great. i really wanna get a career going so I thought i'd look into it. thanks for all replies

I am not being negative about the force itself, just what they have done to it.
I would give my left nut to be back in ol faithful, however, i cant. I loved serving oversea's, i loved being in East Timor, i loved all my s/r training, loved doing the cadre course etc.

It's just changed now. Don't join for the skill's, join for the want of defending the country. I suggest join the army, be infantry, go to 1, 2 or 3 RAR 5/7 sux 3 is Airborne, spend a few years in, do your s/r course(if you can get on it) go and do your cadre(SAS selection course), have funt hat way. Nothing beats being in an infantry mate, trust me on that.(Unless you are a weak pussy)

[Baritji]

I was accepted to go through ADFA and become a fighter controller in the RAAF after I finished year 12. Turned it down for similar reasons others have already mentioned, though sometimes I think I missed out on a great opportunity. Ah well, I have a decent job now, I suppose.

When I was joining alot of current RAAF Officers from an Aviation forum gave me advice, I have it on my harddrive at home. If i get a chance to, I will post it tonight. I know you want to join the RAN, but some of it most definetly be applicable.

I think it is more of a lifestyle choice, not just something you should do to get free qualifications. If it's something you really want to do, I reckon you will enjoy it!
Cheers,
Brodie

[VZCalZone]

thanks for the info. Wouldn't say i'm a pussy but not naturally fit enough for the SAS. I'm very into defending the country, don't understand why people join and request not to be posted overseas. Not just free qualifications but paid qualifications. No really, i'm looking at the moment, no pressure to and not desperate for a job so I'll make sure I want to before I join.

[deserthead]

If u wana join and still be as close to a civvie as possile then join the RAAF. Thats one of the reasons I joined them and not the Army. Navy wasn't even a consideration.

Word of advice, its not all the razzle dazzle bullshit they tell ya at the recuriting office either.

[groucho]

Good on any one who wants to defend our great land, however my sole knowledge of the Briney mob consists of an expat British guy telling me of an initiation ceremony involving a circle of new recruits and a granita biscuit.Yetch!!!!!!:
There must be a god cos i'm not a good swimmer and hence avoided any naval inclination. Good luck

[Garth]

ill be very honest

ship life, 32 blokes to a "mess" 4 showers, only 2 will work at any given time. (and they dont have doors)
6 dunnys, only 3 will work at any given time
wake up's at any given time of day, sucks if your a watch keeper, even worse if you get stuck on the ships fire team, or medical team. depending on your billet number (what possition you are actualy there to fill) will depend on how much you get screwed over.
i was billet 2b, which means i filled space number 2 on the lower rank junior sailors. i was on the ships boarding team, part of the standing sea fire brigade, hour's of duty were from 6am untill 10pm, breaky was a split between 6 to 7, with lunch and dinner falling in there somewhere also
privacy is given to you threw a small curtain you have on your rack (bed) the bed is huge, if you wanna roll over you gotta get out and jump in the other way
as a et, was down in the belly of the beast, working with stuff from america, things that are broken, brake, and need fixing, so you use broken things to fix it. there is no time to get above the deck to enjoy the sea life, unlease you are on your lunch brake or off duty.

time along side in each country ranged from 4 day's upto 2 weeks, with you doing your duty along side, would be about 1 in 4 days on duty, if on duty, alcohol isnt alowed to be consumed, you are not alowed to step ashore in your best out fit
you dont have a say in anything in the navy, you get what yoru given, you eat what your told to eat, and you dont get sea sick (you get a broken heartlidge if you get sea sick)

seriously, if you wanna join the forces, then go for it, join the army, or airforce, atleast in the airforce you can have some sort of a life, in the navy, you dont, cuase you belong to the navy and you have the life they let you lead. given the chance, i would not re-enlist in the navy, i would do the airforce, or army, but not the navy, the navy realy is a joke

oh, then you got workups, shake downs o-locks and heaps of other things, all involve a sever lack of sleep, and getting shafted
navy Never Again Volentier Yourself, that is what it should stand for

[deserthead]

navy Never Again Volentier Yourself, that is what it should stand for

LOL thats so true!!!

[vnberlwagon]

I don't know how you are going with your apprenticeship search as I just finished reading all the replies. In Victoria there is a organisation called VECCI, which stands for Victorian Employees Civil Commerce Industry. Perhaps they have something similar in your state. Anyway, goodluck! Sorry, it stands for Vic. Employers chamber of Commerce and Industry.

[VZCalZone]

thanks Garth, lots of great info there. You probably just convinced me to change my preference. You shed a whole new light on it. Attend info session next week so as I said only just beginning the whole thing. Sounds like you done the exact thing i was lookin at. Was already thinking I should aim a bit higher.

[deserthead]

If u r serious though, still.
Join the RAAF.

I just got out in April. Did 4 years, went to Iraq with em. Not to mention lots a exercises. . . . .
But they'd have to be the pick of the lot, IMO.

[VZCalZone]

what position did you hold in the RAAF?