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I've had a bit of a skim of the forums and I hope there isn't a better thread to ask this stuff in. I'm a Kiwi that has just finished up med school and I've been playing around with the idea of signing up to be a medical officer with the NZDF after I meet requirements for a while now. It's something I've been mulling over because doing interesting things that the average person was already half of the attraction of med school, and having finished that military life sounds like a bit more of that. That and, I'll have the chance to see a lot of the stuff I'm interested in: primary, emergency and trauma medicine. I don't suppose any aus goons have any advice about it either way?
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Dec 1, 2013 12:01
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Trambopaline posted:I've had a bit of a skim of the forums and I hope there isn't a better thread to ask this stuff in. Which Service? (And regular or reserve?) First, realize that once you've signed the contract, you are in until you release. Its not just a matter of handing in your notice. I had a mate in the navy who got out early, but it took ages and a bit of gaming the system. The Bureaucracy will probably be about as helpful and receptive to your needs as your university system at enrollment time on a bad day. (i.e not very)I've always been paid but there's been a few issues with the various weird and obscure factors that go into military pay, waiting months for things that should take days, etc. I'm a reserve infantry private, so about as polar opposite you as possible. Therefore most of what I'm about to say next is all more or less speculation. The NZDF is really small. The Navy all know each other because they live on one main base, the AF is tiny, even the Army is probably smaller than your university's student body. This might make it harder to join because there are no available slots to fill, but on the other hand, it might make for a more varied job as a small group of you do all the work. I don't really know. Because we are so small, we also have very limited equipment. All the good stuff is saved for the important places, i.e. deployments. You'll train with rifles the same age as you and NZ army Unimogs are the only vehicles I've seen for years that still have the old reverse contrast numberplates. I would guess that you would train a heap for trauma, mass casualty, etc, but what how much of that sort of thing you be doing for real? How much will be Base Clinics, third world public medicine, STI treatment? Officer training is very competitive. However, being a trained doctor (or whatever) probably helps lessen the competition and it might be more a matter of meeting the standards than being the first in class standout cadet. The training process is fundamentally the same throughout the English speaking world, the generalities are the same but the specifics vary. Ask in the recruitment thread about Officer Candidate School, much of the same stuff just masquerades under different names. The main differences we have will be due our small size. Peruse the monthly services threads The first decent summary of the recruitment process I've seen. Above all else, know you are dead set on joining before you do. Be at least 90% sure before you speak to a recruiting officer. At least as a medical officer you won't have a three year black hole in your life, but I don't know what it'll do for your career progression compared to your civilian classmates. Jaguars! fucked around with this message at 02:15 on Dec 2, 2013 |
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Dec 2, 2013 02:12
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Hey Guys, I've been training for the ARes for the past two years, from a frankly woeful fitness position to where I am today. My dream is to serve as an Infantryman, and I saw someone in the thread say that there was an unofficial higher fitness standard for Infantry. I was wondering, on the assessment day, Do you get a higher score if you do better at the PFA, or do they stop you when you've passed the minimum, and what should I be aiming for to get into infantry at my PFA. I was told that I probably wont get to kapooka anytime soon, so I am not heaps worried about my fitness for that, but my assessment day is going to come up soon, so I am stressing that I might not have a high enough "score" for infantry in the PFA (do you even get a score, or is it pass/fail?" I got 50 sit ups in 2 mins, 20 pushups, and 8 on the beep test, I am more of a weight lifter than runner  I am starting a sprint program I got from T-Nation to improve my Beep test result, but yeah. Also I was wondering if there are any ARes riflemen, or Light Cav guys in this thread who could PM me, I'd like to get in touch regarding the stuff I need to know for my assessment interview (Day to day life, what happens on weekends, what happens Tuesday nights, etc...) Thanks in advance!
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Feb 12, 2014 02:40
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Captain Industry posted:Hey Guys, You won't be required to do a fitness test on assessment day. It's just a medical, psych test, and interview. Cruisy stuff. PFA comes a couple of weeks before enlistment, and once again when you enlist. They're stopped once the requirement is met. If you meet the baseline fitness you'll be fine. Plenty of time to work on it - and the requirements aren't higher for grunts, either, at the basic fitness level.
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Feb 12, 2014 04:31
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Captain Industry posted:I was wondering, on the assessment day, Do you get a higher score if you do better at the PFA, or do they stop you when you've passed the minimum, and what should I be aiming for to get into infantry at my PFA. Everything for soldiers is pass/fail. Rankings/scores are only relevant for officer entry.
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Feb 12, 2014 06:02
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Thanks guys, But from speaking to a Rifleman he was talking about something called the CFA? Does anyone know what the standards are for that? I would like to be able to pass that, to make Wagga/Kapooka as easy as possible. You don't have to pass the CFA until you are about to be deployed as well, is that correct? Also- Any reserve Riflemen or Light Cav in this thread?
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Feb 18, 2014 00:40
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Captain Industry posted:Thanks guys, But from speaking to a Rifleman he was talking about something called the CFA? Does anyone know what the standards are for that? I would like to be able to pass that, to make Wagga/Kapooka as easy as possible. CFA has been replaced with PES. Its is a seperate assessment from the BFA but im not sure how it applies to chocos.
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Feb 18, 2014 13:23
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Trambopaline posted:I've had a bit of a skim of the forums and I hope there isn't a better thread to ask this stuff in. If you ever come back to this thread. I can tell you as a NZ TF soldier based in Dunedin, who's spoken at length to TF and RF medics and some doctors about this its not as glamorous as it seems. You've missed the boat in getting the NZDF to pay for your med school and with the likelyhood of us being deployed no where at the moment its pretty boring. Most RF medics do sweet gently caress all, all day. The Medical center in Linton sees 12 maybe 15 people a day who have 'injuries' mostly knees, backs etc. If you do get deployed you'd end up somewhere big such as Kabul doing trauma poo poo but thats drying up. Your role basically becomes camp GP as the main camps are close enough to main centers that people get pimped out to specialists all the time. Hell I've personally driven no less than 5 people across different times to doctors appointments in Palmy from Waiouru. However if you are after easy money and life as a Major then this is the job for you. Building on what Jaguars! said training for you should be a 6 week Initial officer training, then a 7 week Specialist Officer training. I think can think of two Lt Col's whom are MD's within the Faculty at Univeristy of Otago, as well as one trained doctor who is a TF rifleman, if you are interested in talking to someone.
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Feb 24, 2014 11:03
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Anphear posted:If you ever come back to this thread. I can tell you as a NZ TF soldier based in Dunedin, who's spoken at length to TF and RF medics and some doctors about this its not as glamorous as it seems. You've missed the boat in getting the NZDF to pay for your med school and with the likelyhood of us being deployed no where at the moment its pretty boring. Most RF medics do sweet gently caress all, all day. The Medical center in Linton sees 12 maybe 15 people a day who have 'injuries' mostly knees, backs etc. If you do get deployed you'd end up somewhere big such as Kabul doing trauma poo poo but thats drying up. Your role basically becomes camp GP as the main camps are close enough to main centers that people get pimped out to specialists all the time. Hell I've personally driven no less than 5 people across different times to doctors appointments in Palmy from Waiouru. However if you are after easy money and life as a Major then this is the job for you. Every time I effortpost, God kills a poster. Anyway, First exercise in 4 months coming up. Goodbye, shoulder length hair!Seems like there's a bit of upper ranks churn going on at the moment. Keating's moved up as has Boughton. (I didn't even know there was a Warrant Officer of the
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Feb 25, 2014 01:30
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sos posted:CFA has been replaced with PES. Its is a seperate assessment from the BFA but im not sure how it applies to chocos. Some choc brigades are trialling this year but given the 20 or so day prep training required before the pesa can be done it will be difficult.
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Feb 25, 2014 15:07
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Hey thanks for the awesome advice about working in the NZDF. I might come back to the idea. Just trying to barely survive the hospital system. Sucks that I can't get the free ride offer anymore. I might come back and ask in a little while depending on how much the hospital system chews me up and spits me out. Good to know there is a resource on tap if I ever want to find out more though.
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Mar 12, 2014 08:56
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I just applied for Full time Information Systems Technician, Army and was hoping for a bit of advice, I am reading the thread and have a few concerns. 1: I take St Johns Wart, it's just something you can get at a supermarket and a lot of people say it's a placebo so would the Army even care about that? There are no records of me taking it, so I could just stop and deal with the anxiety that comes back after a few days being off it. I am trying to ween myself off it, I take two pills every second day now, and I am pretty sure I could just stop if needed to. Social Anxiety Smocial AngShmiaty! 2: I have Exercise Induced Asthma. I won't die without a puffer but I would REALLY prefer to have one for any cardio, I think this is on my medical records. I am 23, have a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology (got it last December) from the now defunct University of Ballarat and have worked at a supermarket since I was 15, My father trained for Vietnam but was injured and discharged in training. One other concern I do have is my brother married an Israeli woman, and I am concerned it could be regarded as a security issue. His friend in the military in some kind of intelligence role couldn't speak to him for a few years because of it. Of course, I have met my brother's wife, and he might just of wanted to avoid her, she's a shocking racist. I am an avid computer game player, so I am hoping for some info on the rules about having PCs in the rooms during training and later on. Am I better off with a gaymen laptop, or building an ultra portable uATX or what? I applied yesterday on the official site as well as on seek, when will they send me a YOU session time? It's an advertised position I saw on seek, and after investigating almost the whole ADF site it seemed like the right choice to make, Joining the military in this job, I mean. Get a few years practical experience, earn some good money for a few years, and It's so hard to get that first job in the industry so it opens up private sector work afterwards when I have experience.
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Mar 12, 2014 12:23
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RasputinVarez posted:I just applied for Full time Information Systems Technician, Army and was hoping for a bit of advice, I am reading the thread and have a few concerns. Social anxiety? This is something to discuss with a psychologist during assessment day. If it's crippling, you're poo poo out of luck. Once people hit basic training you've no opportunity but to get to know the people around you, regardless of how poo poo they may be. If you can cope in social situations/under stress you're be fine. If you're a nervous wreck, your chances are not so good. Suss it out. quote:2: I have Exercise Induced Asthma. I won't die without a puffer but I would REALLY prefer to have one for any cardio, I think this is on my medical records. Many people have asthma, but generally are not chronic sufferers. This will be assessed by the medical staff during assessment day - records may need to be provided. This may be an issue depending on severity. quote:I am 23, have a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology (got it last December) from the now defunct University of Ballarat and have worked at a supermarket since I was 15, My father trained for Vietnam but was injured and discharged in training. One other concern I do have is my brother married an Israeli woman, and I am concerned it could be regarded as a security issue. His friend in the military in some kind of intelligence role couldn't speak to him for a few years because of it. Of course, I have met my brother's wife, and he might just of wanted to avoid her, she's a shocking racist. Shouldn't be an issue for a security clearance. Note that your Bachelor will assist in that you'll have understanding of most things that would be taught in the trade, but it'll be poo poo in that you'll be learning everything from the ground up regardless. Lots and lots of infuriating moments when other people 'just don't get it'. This is where you look at your reasons for wanting to join. You'll earn more in the corporate world, be treated better, and most likely have more job satisfaction. Oh, also better career progression opportunities. quote:I am an avid computer game player, so I am hoping for some info on the rules about having PCs in the rooms during training and later on. Am I better off with a gaymen laptop, or building an ultra portable uATX or what? During basic training you're not getting poo poo. If you get through basic (not difficult) you'll go to the Defence Force School of Signals for a period of time - I think geeks are there for 9 months or so, plus any time you spend in limbo until your course starts. While you're here you'll get to enjoy awesome 3Mb/s ADSL if you choose to get it hooked up. Choose any computer you like. quote:I applied yesterday on the official site as well as on seek, when will they send me a YOU session time? It's an advertised position I saw on seek, and after investigating almost the whole ADF site it seemed like the right choice to make, Joining the military in this job, I mean. Get a few years practical experience, earn some good money for a few years, and It's so hard to get that first job in the industry so it opens up private sector work afterwards when I have experience. The money is poo poo, you'll be locked in for four years and it might get you work afterwards, it might not. You can probably expect a call within the next few days. Note that this advice is given when I'm not a geek (info systems tech) and have had a poo poo day as a result of being in the fuckin job. Regardless, it's a fair indication. Have a read through the thread, there's a few posts in regards to the corps.
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Mar 12, 2014 13:00
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The Stygian posted:Social anxiety? This is something to discuss with a psychologist during assessment day. If it's crippling, you're poo poo out of luck. Once people hit basic training you've no opportunity but to get to know the people around you, regardless of how poo poo they may be. If you can cope in social situations/under stress you're be fine. If you're a nervous wreck, your chances are not so good. Suss it out. I'm not a nervous wreck anymore, not like i used to be. bad childhood. I can't get any IT job. I get turned down from $35k graduate jobs (that number INCLUDES super) for not having experience. well, not turned down as often as "we'll call you in the next week" or even better "hello we'd like to give you a second interview next week, we'll call you in the next few days to organize it!" and then they never speak to me again. What's the point of a graduate program where 3-5 years of experience is required? I now have to wear a badge at work that says I've been a "fresh food person" since 2005, I NEED TO GET OUT of this rut i'm in. And i'm getting around 30k a year from this job max, so it's a big step up to 50 something starting with cheap food and accommodation, and not living with my parent's in their 60's. I guess I'm joining the Army for Experience, Training and practical skills. Good money for Honest work. Meeting new people and making new relationships. And learning life skills like discipline and fitness.
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Mar 12, 2014 13:48
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RasputinVarez posted:
I don't know what either of these things are, but if they're expensive they'll probably get stolen from your room by your fellow servicemen who are terrible with money and have to sell your poo poo to pay their own bills. If you don't talk about your imaginary mental problems then they won't have a reason to shut down your application will they? Of course the last thing the military needs is more people with pretend mental problems. It's already full of shitbags and malingerers. Also, lol, University of Ballarat, now going by the name FU Australia.
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Mar 13, 2014 06:26
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RasputinVarez posted:my brother married an Israeli woman, and I am concerned it could be regarded as a security issue. His friend in the military in some kind of intelligence role couldn't speak to him for a few years because of it. This is not a thing. His friend was not talking to him for other reasons. The Israeli thing will complicate your security clearance (if its a high level clearance) but it won't prevent it. RasputinVarez posted:
Don't expect any time or allowance for this during Kapooka. It may be allowed during your Initial Employment Training after Kapooka. Later on, there will be no problem. Talking to my mates who are officers in Sig units, the biggest problem they have with their soldiers is addiction to online gaming. I wish infantry diggers were that simple. It sounds like you are joining as you think you've exhausted all your other options. If this is the case I suggest you rethink your reasons. If you are not keen on it initially, you will hate it 2 years down the track.
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Mar 13, 2014 10:03
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Chazzwazza posted:Talking to my mates who are officers in Sig units, the biggest problem they have with their soldiers is addiction to online gaming. Who the gently caress suffers from 'addiction to online gaming', seriously.
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Mar 13, 2014 11:06
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The Stygian posted:The money is poo poo, you'll be locked in for four years and it might get you work afterwards, it might not. You can probably expect a call within the next few days.  For someone with a degree the money might be poo poo but for someone with no experience, effectively earning $80k/year (when you include all benefits including rent allowance) Also, the "practical experience" you will earn really amounts to the kind of thing you'd do at a computer repair store. Re-image aging laptops, unlock accounts, plug in printers. If you're lucky you might get to actually configure a router one day!
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Mar 13, 2014 12:50
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PancakeTransmission posted:Six years for geeks! At least it will look good on a resume after my 6 years are up, because i literally can't get a job at a tech support call center because i lack experience. Chazzwazza posted:This is not a thing. His friend was not talking to him for other reasons. OK, perhaps my viewpoint is skewed because i come from a pretty poor family, but the money, 57k a year, is pretty good, especially with the accommodation and most food taken care of for so little, and it goes up as the years go on. I kind of have exhausted all my other options, so saying that I should "rethink my reasons" doesn't help me much. I've got a degree but with unimpressive marks from a barely known university, no industry relevant work experience, the economy has been really slow since the credit crisis so less people are hiring. The more I think about it, the more joining the army makes sense in my current situation, and this situation isn't going to change in a hurry. Perhaps after 6 years the economy will be a bit more on track, and at least i'll have some money in the bank and a better resume. I will keep applying for civilian jobs but it really doesn't look good. I'm looking at a job that's basically re-imaging laptops and they want 3 years of industry experience MINIMUM, i can tell they are serious because of the way they always seem to say MINIMUM in caps "Field Engineer - Windows 7 upgrade 3 week contract to commence 3rd March. XP to Windows & roll out. Must have previous experience on Windows 7 Projects." yes, i am apparently not qualified to upgrade operating systems. "Extensive previous experience within all areas of ICT required!" for a $24 an hour position The Army also pays a lot more, especially with it's added benefits This big wall of text is just to show you that I have put serious consideration into this and I think this is the right choice for me right now due to these factors. You might think it's bad to go Army because you've exhausted other options but really I have, so what else can i do? I'm sick of living on sub 30k a year, I'm sick of my life going nowhere, I'm sick of the same awful job I've had since i was 15 where I get taken advantage of by every shift manager and given lovely 3 hour shifts to "claim me" for their department for that day. Labour day was last Monday, and when i got to work i was told they cancelled my afternoon shift on a public holiday! I hate this job, I learn nothing from it, It pays bugger all, and I have no friends in this town and I hate living here with my increasingly mentally absent parents. I can't even move to where my friend In fact, joining the Army would fix every single problem i currently have right now. Sure, it's not my dream job, my dream job is a field engineer traveling all over the world to fix servers and corporate systems. I almost had this job, i even talked to the CEO of a company who offered this life and all training was provided. Then they suddenly stopped talking to me and kept telling me they'd get back to me "sometime next week" after almost flat out telling me that I was going to get the job and to "expect an offer soon" after an interview. The Army will make me fitter (i'm not fat, just below "average" fitness, or above average for an IT grad, but not as fit as I want to be by a wide margin), Richer, give me industry experience, get me AWAY FROM THIS PLACE, and I'll be able to meet people and make some friends. out of the last 4.5 years of uni I made 1 real friend and 5 or 6 "friends"(IT people are generally awful people). Also, it'll give me experiences, something I won't get in a nothing town with no friends and a poo poo job where the most exciting thing that happens to me is getting 2 replies on my LP thread per video i make. I can not stress how much I hate my life right now, how little it actually consists of, and how much i NEED to make a change. Sure I'd love a $45k starting job in Melbourne where i wear a suit and play around in a server room all day training to be a SysAdmin or a field technician and hang out with my best friend J every couple of weeks when our schedules match up just watching LPs, or Sherlock, or just hanging out and getting atrociously unhealthy food. And live in a modestly sized one bedroom 1st floor flat with a HTPC and a great PC gaming setup playing video games and training at the gym or the pool daily. All whilst taking a correspondence course to get Certificates and a masters degree and saving for a deposit on an investment property with my first home buyers account. Modest dream i know but this isn't something i can get. 57k a year, accommodation and food very cheap and organised, military discipline forcing me to better myself and meeting like minded people who like computers but aren't terrible meme sprouting reddit using pieces of poo poo (unlike in uni) whist getting some experience in my field? That's something the Army offers me, and the more i consider it the more i like the idea. Also, i really want to learn how to now it's 3AM, so i'm rambling a lot, so i am going to bed before my parents (who leave their door open at night) yell at me for staying up too late by seeing light under my door. I am 23 and have tomorrow off... How long after I apply will i be contacted for a YOU session? I applied a day ago and just have a confirmation email say i'll be contacted "soon". The Stygian posted:Who the gently caress suffers from 'addiction to online gaming', seriously. People who lack genuine connections with real people and people who lack real achievements and purpose in their lives.
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Mar 13, 2014 17:04
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RasputinVarez posted:Wall of Text I kind of have exhausted all my other options, so saying that I should "rethink my reasons" doesn't help me much. The Army should never be the only option you have. (see below) I have no friends in this town and I hate living here with my increasingly mentally absent parents. I can't even move to where my friends live because they refuse to let me transfer away from this fishing village in the middle of nowhere. And they'd "let" you join the army? Apart from finances, what's stopping you from moving elsewhere? In fact, joining the Army would fix every single problem i currently have right now. No it won't, signing your life away for 6 years will not fix everything. (see below). The Army will make me fitter The Army will yell at you until you are able to complete the bare minimum, and then you will basically be expected to put in extra effort if you want to be fitter. You really need to put in more effort as the standard 3 PT sessions a week are basically keeping you above that minimum level. military discipline forcing me to better myself Military discipline will force you to do the minimum amount of effort to avoid being picked up for dress and bearing. If you want to better yourself, start thinking about it now. meeting like minded people who like computers but aren't terrible meme sprouting reddit using pieces of poo poo Experiences may vary; people in the Army are from all walks of life and you may even be surprised to find people in IT that don't play video games or even care about computers! You may even meet more of the aforementioned meme lovers! I understand where you are coming from, but do not join the Army if you just want to escape everything and hope it fixes all of your problems. You may end up even more unhappy if it doesn't. What if they tell you to try again in 12 months? What will you do until then? What if they tell you that you are not (and never will be) suitable? What if you get in, but then get to Kapooka and decide you can't deal with the stress and leave? What if you get through your training, but then get a serious injury (training, sport, car accident, medical condition) and get medically discharged? What if you have none of those issues, but in 2 years time you realise the Army has not solved any of the problems you had, except now you can't get away for another 4 years? These have all happened to someone I know. In my Kapooka platoon of ~50, 1 left "temporarily" for family issues and never returned, 2 or 3 had psych issues, a couple more just decided they didn't want to be there. You really need to think about what you want to do (and how you are going to effect those changes) now. Have a backup plan. I don't think there's anything wrong with using the Army as a stepping stone for a goal. But you need to know what you'll do if you misstep or that stone turns out to not hold your weight.
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Mar 14, 2014 09:32
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PancakeTransmission posted:
And they'd "let" you join the army? Apart from finances, what's stopping you from moving elsewhere? Aside from finances? nothing. but finances are REALLY important. I should stress that whilst the store will let me go on unpaid leave for months at a time because they can't stop that, they just won't let me transfer elsewhere, i've filled in multiple forms, spoken to multiple people and i keep getting passed around and told to fill out the same forms. They can stop me from transferring, they can't stop me from leaving. Who would move to another town without a job or income set up? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKnyrHBwu10 Centrelink isn't much money, barely enough to keep a roof over yourt I understand where you are coming from, but do not join the Army if you just want to escape everything and hope it fixes all of your problems. You may end up even more unhappy if it doesn't. It will solve all the problems i have right now. It might not be the best solution, but it is definitely a solution i fully plan on exploring. What if they tell you to try again in 12 months? What will you do until then? I don't know, it's not like i'll be in a worse situation will I? What if they tell you that you are not (and never will be) suitable? There is no reason for me to not be suitable, but again i won't be worse off for having tried it. What if you get in, but then get to Kapooka and decide you can't deal with the stress and leave? I'll deal with it. Hell the thing i'm most worried about is no video games and no internet for 80 days, I'm looking forward to a more structured life where I am kept fairly busy. And What if you get through your training, but then get a serious injury (training, sport, car accident, medical condition) and get medically discharged? I get it, and what if a drop bear rapes me in the night? these are getting silly. how would that be any different to me getting injured right now? because to be medically discharged it needs to be a very serious or unrecoverable injury and i think that would ruin my day whatever job i was doing What if you have none of those issues, but in 2 years time you realise the Army has not solved any of the problems you had, except now you can't get away for another 4 years? So... if the army slashes pay to 30k a year, I have to live with my parents while serving and i'm transferred to a non IT unit where i am doing nothing that will make me more employable at the end and I make no friends in the whole of the Australian military? that's a pretty unlikely turn of events. it'll at the very least get me away from my parents, get me experience and get me money, even if everything else about it turns out to be awful. These have all happened to someone I know. In my Kapooka platoon of ~50, 1 left "temporarily" for family issues and never returned, 2 or 3 had psych issues, a couple more just decided they didn't want to be there. You really need to think about what you want to do (and how you are going to effect those changes) now. Have a backup plan. and i know somebody who got drunk, fell down some stairs and died from a broken neck, so i guess i should stop using stairs... If something happens then i'll take it as it comes, and go back to what i'm doing now, i guess i can try again in a year if i'm still stuck here.I'm not going to quit the woolies job, just be taken off their active books until i pass all the army training, and i can always go back to woolies until i get another job, it's not like i'm going to burn bridges. And just because 10% of people in your unit dropped out doesn't mean I will. you don't know me, you shouldn't assume things like that about people you don't know at all. I don't think there's anything wrong with using the Army as a stepping stone for a goal. But you need to know what you'll do if you misstep or that stone turns out to not hold your weight. it's probably not a career for me, but I can't get anything without experience, the Army is a fairly well paid job that will give me that experience. And if they give me this chance to earn good money whilst getting IT technician experience and getting a great resume along with the other benefits of joining the military then I'll give them my all for 6 years. and at the end who knows what i'll feel? perhaps I love the military life and want to progress further? perhaps i'll try and enlist in the officer stream? or perhaps my feelings don't change and i'll use the experience i gained to get into the work i want right now? field service technician with an international company working with large servers and systems, eventually getting certified in some kind of system. But at least i'll have a reasonably well paying job for 6 years and when i'm out i'll be 30 years old, have a great resume, around $150k saved in the bank or invested, and have had an experience that most people only see Hollywood versions of. I'm not just rushing into it, I've researched it, I've looked for as much info on the testing as i can, i'm training to make sure i can do the tests (I can JUST do them all to the required level, did the beep test today and got 7.5 twice out of three attempts, the hardest one is the sit-up requirement) and by the time testing comes around i'll be able to pass confidently. I've looked at the pay, the accommodation, the work, i'm learning the different ranks, looking at the equipment ect. Everything you are saying is really coming of as "but you might fail so you shouldn't even try!" which is a terrible way of approaching something. If people only did things they were 100% sure of nobody would do anything, were you 100% sure about joining the army when you signed up? I might not be sure of if this is the right choice, or know what i'm going to do if i can't get in, but i do know i'm going to do my best both to try and get in and work my hardest at the job once i am in.
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Mar 14, 2014 14:30
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RasputinVarez posted:At least it will look good on a resume after my 6 years are up, because i literally can't get a job at a tech support call center because i lack experience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T575Pbo4eWM Even in Australia, out of shape wanna-be computer janitors write one thousand word posts about the military being their only option.
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Mar 14, 2014 17:13
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MassivelyBuckNegro posted:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T575Pbo4eWM It seems to be my only option to get IT experience, the whole Australian economy is fairly slow doe to a certain country not knowing how to run banks and managing to gently caress up the whole world's economy. Hey at least that un-named country managed to fix it's economy temporarily, by slashing public services and giving billions to the same companies that caused the problem in the first place despite these corporations paying almost no taxes... Field Engineer work isn't "computer janitor". it's a mixture of both hardware and software maintenance, it starts off being relatively simple, mostly calling somebody who knows what they are doing and them guiding you through it, but as you work you get certified in a system like IBM systems or SunMicro systems and you are able to do more advanced work, do it faster, and do a lot more software side work. It's about diagnostics, problem isolation and problem resolution. It's an increasingly technical role as your experience rises and you become more familiar with the systems and the work. a system certified IT field technician with experience is a very well paid person doing a very interesting job. And if the army totally sucks for me, i'll just slog through the 6 years whilst I do course's by correspondence to educate myself further with certificates and a masters degree, at least i'll be able to afford to take the classes.
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Mar 14, 2014 21:50
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quote:And just because 10% of people in your unit dropped out doesn't mean I will. you don't know me, you shouldn't assume things like that about people you don't know at all. RasputinVarez posted:Everything you are saying is really coming of as "but you might fail so you shouldn't even try!" which is a terrible way of approaching something. If people only did things they were 100% sure of nobody would do anything, were you 100% sure about joining the army when you signed up? I might not be sure of if this is the right choice, or know what i'm going to do if i can't get in, but i do know i'm going to do my best both to try and get in and work my hardest at the job once i am in. I asked those questions to prompt you to think about the future. You don't need to convince anyone in this thread that you're joining for the right reasons, only yourself and maybe the recruiter/psych. Because maybe they'll get the sense of desperation and ask you similar questions to what I asked. And to answer one of your questions: When I first applied (and didn't succeed) over a decade ago, I was maybe 50% sure of my decision to join (because the other 50% was "I don't know what else to do"). When I tried again many years later, I was certain that this is what I wanted.
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Mar 15, 2014 00:47
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For the people who have done the fitness testing for the Army, what kind of environment is it done it? a sporting hall, concrete, are there mats for the situps? I want to make sure I can pass the physical well before It comes up, so i want to make sure i'm training in the right environment if possible. My main concern is that I take St John's wort regularly, should I just stop and get used to not using it or is that allowed? Edit: also, what about Ventolin inhalers? RasputinVarez fucked around with this message at 03:22 on Mar 15, 2014 |
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Mar 15, 2014 02:48
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RasputinVarez posted:
If you're not training in a hypobaric chamber you're pretty much hosed mate.
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Mar 15, 2014 13:35
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RasputinVarez posted:And if the army totally sucks for me, i'll just slog through the 6 years whilst I do course's by correspondence to educate myself further with certificates and a masters degree, at least i'll be able to afford to take the classes. This is probably the only realistic thing you've said so far, and this is how it works out for so many people. If you think its going to be scant on bullshit and full of people with a genuine interest in IT you are sorely mistaken. I don't think its a good idea for you to join right now but you're going to disregard that advice anyway (why even ask?), so when you do join, and you find it sucks for you, get what you can that will carry over and get out.
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Mar 17, 2014 09:12
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The Dog-Broccoli Gambit posted:This is probably the only realistic thing you've said so far, and this is how it works out for so many people. If you think its going to be scant on bullshit and full of people with a genuine interest in IT you are sorely mistaken. I don't think its a good idea for you to join right now but you're going to disregard that advice anyway (why even ask?), so when you do join, and you find it sucks for you, get what you can that will carry over and get out. How about you suggest another path then? What other IT jobs don't require experience in the industry to get in currently in Australia? Level 1 Phone tech support? nope, need experience at a call center environment to get even those jobs at this point. Current plans of attack: get into Army, get more qualifications whilst working, save a bunch of money, finish my term of service when i'm 30, get a new job with my experience and qualifications, mail order bride from eastern Europe (to be replaced with Asian mail order bride in 20 years, possibly Thai because of their cooking), buy a starter house with mostly savings, name all children after horrific war Criminals and historical "bad guys", Mao, Stalin, Adolf, Benjamin, Il-Song and the way things are going Putin might be on that list, and all the while donate so much sperm under different names so that in a hundred years or a ten, i'll have more descendants than Genghis Khan. totally realistic plan, eh guys?
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Mar 17, 2014 14:28
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RasputinVarez posted:are there mats for the situps? You're gunna be juuuuuuuuust fine.
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Mar 17, 2014 16:00
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Tentacle Party posted:You're gunna be juuuuuuuuust fine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axRwkPAC8F0 oh look, mats. because doing sit ups on a hard surface damages the tail bone and provides no benefit whatsoever unless a callus on your tailbone is in some way an advantage... I guess the whole army is full of wimps according to Officer Tenticle who of course needed to pass the police sit up test so knows all about sit ups on a hard floor, in massive numbers like "1" which is pretty much the same as doing it 45 times, right? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6K8HmTIoXg I don't know if you're from WA, but the Victorian police don't even need to do a single sit up, and the NSW police do a total of five. Seriously, go do some sit ups on a hard surface and tell me that's a safe and reasonable practice. Can any service men confirm the sit up test is done on mats, like every video on the DefenceJobsAustralia youtube channel clearly shows? http://youtu.be/vD8sRTMmhos?t=9m52s oh look, mats again. Almost like it's standard ADF practice to minimize easily preventable injuries...
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Mar 17, 2014 22:43
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RasputinVarez posted:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axRwkPAC8F0 It's almost like an institution shows best practice on it's public face! Wild guess? mats if done at the gym, none if outside, and you'll probsbly do both. No one will give a gently caress about whatever supplements you take unless it is something that shows on a drug test. Worst case it gets confiscated and you get the poo poo jobs for a while. Asthma is a bigger problem. Could you play a game of football(any kind) or hike for a day without your inhaler?
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Mar 18, 2014 01:04
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Jaguars! posted:It's almost like an institution shows best practice on it's public face! Wild guess? mats if done at the gym, none if outside, and you'll probsbly do both. I could hike for a day without an issue, i could play football i guess but i'd be wheezing by the end of it. it's exercise induced, so i don't have asthma attacks, it's kind of like my throat constricts when i am breathing hard from cardio. nothing that would kill me, or render me incapacitated. I've gone without the pills for a week and I feel pretty lovely and antisocial, of course it could also be that i'm tired from work and really sick of my dad's bullshit. I'm at home for an hour break, and he's mad at me because I didn't want some cold leftover "cream of chicken" soup. It's been like this for months, especially with food for some reason.
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Mar 18, 2014 04:17
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Based on what you've said, and talking about living with your parents while serving, I really don't think the army is the place for you.
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Mar 18, 2014 04:57
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I want to see the RI's face when he pulls out your horny goat weed or whatever
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Mar 18, 2014 09:11
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The Dog-Broccoli Gambit posted:I want to see the RI's face when he pulls out your horny goat weed or whatever It's st john's wort. I have no issue with my horny levels. oh god, imagine putting a vibrator in somebody's luggage before hand, ahahahahaha "b-b-but that's not mine! i swear i have no idea where it came from!" Captain Industry posted:Based on what you've said, and talking about living with your parents while serving, I really don't think the army is the place for you. Mr glass house, please stop throwing stones when you are an Eve playing cross-fit doer who needs to be at least 5'11 to make it under the BMI requirements alone. Also, Defendor says he'll get you! Jaguars! posted:It's almost like an institution shows best practice on it's public face! Wild guess? mats if done at the gym, none if outside, and you'll probsbly do both. just went for a 7 or 8 km run (gps tracker issue) without an inhaler. not the fastest but not totally hopeless either.
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Mar 18, 2014 10:08
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RasputinVarez posted:Mr glass house, please stop throwing stones when you are an Eve playing cross-fit doer who needs to be at least 5'11 to make it under the BMI requirements alone. Also, Defendor says he'll get you!  Are you sure you want to be saying this with a rap sheet and post history like yours?
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Mar 18, 2014 10:59
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RasputinVarez posted:It's st john's wort. I have no issue with my horny levels. So are you full retard, or just kinda half retard? I look forward to your "my platoon friends just beat the poo poo out of me again for jizzing into a sock and playing world of warcraft instead of doing my job" posts from you.
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Mar 18, 2014 11:03
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RasputinVarez posted:
Be happy with where you are, the world needs sandwich artists.
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Mar 18, 2014 11:22
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RasputinVarez posted:Almost like it's standard ADF practice to minimize easily preventable injuries...  Tentacle Party posted:Be happy with where you are, the world needs sandwich artists.
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Mar 18, 2014 13:11
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RasputinVarez posted:It's st john's wort. I have no issue with my horny levels.  shine on you dense motherfucker
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Mar 19, 2014 00:34
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