ADF recruits

[Schillaci]

Some questions for those who have completed the initial ADF recruit training. Particularly those who joined the Air Force and Army.

Is recruit training intake regular? i.e. if I wanted to start my training in march next year I can?

I know the 10-11 weeks of recruit training is demanding. How much free time do you get for phone calls etc? I fear it's gonna put a massive strain on my relationship with my GF.

thanks guys

 

[juanfarkall]

Some questions for those who have completed the initial ADF recruit training. Particularly those who joined the Air Force and Army.

Is recruit training intake regular? i.e. if I wanted to start my training in march next year I can?

I know the 10-11 weeks of recruit training is demanding. How much free time do you get for phone calls etc? I fear it's gonna put a massive strain on my relationship with my GF.

thanks guys

depends on a few things, namely which force and mustering.
From memory you won't see much if any free time on weekends for at least a month, maybe 2 months.
I joined the RAAF in the mid 80's but am sure that a lot would have changed since then.
Back then RAAF Basic Training was held at Edinburgh in South Australia with apprentices at either Laverton Victoria or Forest Hill near Wagga Wagga NSW. Army Basic Training was at Kapooka near Wagga Wagga then.
Commisioned Officers trained elsewhere.
Pretty sure that apprentices no longer exist in the forces now as it is cheaper to employ/train thicks.

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

Some questions for those who have completed the initial ADF recruit training. Particularly those who joined the Air Force and Army.

Is recruit training intake regular? i.e. if I wanted to start my training in march next year I can?

I know the 10-11 weeks of recruit training is demanding. How much free time do you get for phone calls etc? I fear it's gonna put a massive strain on my relationship with my GF.

thanks guys

Dude if your worried about the strain to your relationship, dont forget your signed on for 4 years minimum and they can and will post you all over Australia, possibly sending you to a new post every 3-6 months.

 

[Alehana]

Some questions for those who have completed the initial ADF recruit training. Particularly those who joined the Air Force and Army.

Is recruit training intake regular? i.e. if I wanted to start my training in march next year I can?

I know the 10-11 weeks of recruit training is demanding. How much free time do you get for phone calls etc? I fear it's gonna put a massive strain on my relationship with my GF.

thanks guys

i just got back from ARTC Kapooka!

best experience of my life, you'll hate it at the time, but looking back i wish i was back there.

they seem to intake recruits each week, like monday was regulars and friday was reserves.

as for free time, well dont count on it, it will put a strain on your relationship, i saw ppl break up with partners after church one sunday, however u can still see ur partner once a week if they r in wagga, u get phone call once evry couple of days, and some free time in the afternoon. but they say everyday is a monday, so from 600-2200 its go go go, watch full metal jacket, like that but without the physical voilence

 

[Mig2006]

I completed RAAF basic training at Edinburgh in the late 90's. Course intakes were quite regular throughout the year - can't imagine much has changed since.

In regards to phone calls, you are generally left to yourself at night time so you would be free to call whoever you want then - unless you are assigned to some field training (only a few times throughout the 10 weeks). As a 'flight' or squad, you need to earn your weekends and if you work well as a group (drill & weapon training etc), your weekends are yours after around week 4. Before then - no weekend leave is granted.

Depending on what you go in as - the 11 weeks can vary in terms of toughness. I went in as an ADG and the training was far more intense - some of the stewards and techies found the training very, very difficult in terms of physical demand! You should ask the recruiting officers about this - the 11 weeks will be much more tolerable without a sergeant up your ar$e because you are lumped with a flight of ADG's.....

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

I have been in the RAAF for about 6 years now as a medic.

Intakes to 1RTU vary from once a week to once a fortnight. Course sizes can be anywhere from 1 Flight of 20 to 2 flights of 50.

During your first few weeks of training you have very limited privelages and have to earn them. You should be able to make couple phone calls a week in your first few weeks, but you will need to keep it short as there is a lot of sh*t to do eg: ironing, polishing boots, sewing, cleaning your block etc etc. If your course is doing well you get more and more free time, if your course is a cluster you will be doing pointless sh*t like dressing up in pyjama pants, boots, service dress shirt and a PT hat in 2 minutes then have another 2 minutes to get changed into some other stupid combination of clothes into the late hours of the night.
In saying all that though, courses differ depending on your instructors

I say take a break from your GF cause 1RTU is a sex fest. (although thats not allowed)

 

[Alehana]

like dressing up in pyjama pants, boots, service dress shirt and a PT hat in 2 minutes then have another 2 minutes to get changed into some other stupid combination of clothes into the late hours of the night.

haha, we called it dress ups, and my section got hammered one night, and for half an hour we were playing 'dress ups' for about 30 mins, whilst pretending to be asleep then getting called out into hallway, then making our beds and getting changed into camos, then getting changed back into pj's, then starting again!
worst was a hygene clean, oh god i've never been so close to quitting