[MegsW]

Great posts Jescie and klinkalink.

As Jescie pointed out the recruitment process takes along time - they don't just let anyone in anymore, they are actually really picky when it comes down to who they will accept into the ADF and like PP's have stated, you wouldn't make it very far through the process if you thought it was all fun and games.

And basic training would soon make you realise just how serious the job is if the stories I have heard coming out of Kapooka recently (from loved ones who are there or just finished) - basic is definately not all fun and games!

Miriams - I would love to know more about this forced conscription you are suggesting as well as sources where you are getting this information?

[NotTheSame]

As for no world wars, believe me, they're working on it .... going into Iran within the next year and forced conscription being the second phase.

I can't believe I missed this. I'd also like to know where you got this information from? There is no way our Government would allow conscription. Could you imagine the social uproar? I'm sure it's an idea the ADF has had for awhile but whether this policy will actually eventuate is a different matter.

(On another note, forced conscription? What, as opposed to voluntary conscription? )

[Obesa cantavit]

Noone goes straight from recruitment into Army special forces = you apply from that once you're in, and you should know that it is a step above many other jobs in terms of what you may have to do, actual warzones etc.

If this was regarding my post, I never stated you could go straight to SF or SAS for that matter. Of course there is extra training and risk involved , bloody hard, mentally scaring training at that. Im just saying that it is not all fluff and fun and hopefully everyone that applies for the forces remembers that. Alas statistically there are going to be some who dont and think it is all about the mateship and fun shown in the recruitment ad's.

[Jescie]

Hmmm forces conscription what a laugh.

We have lost 25% of our targets this financial year based upon the amount of members stay in service.

There will never come a point within our life time nor others to come where force conscription would become a part /necessity of the ADF.

The amount of interest to join the ADF far outways the amount of available jobs. For every 7 people that conduct an aptitude test one 1 person is enlisted. We are thorough in our testing both aptitude, psychological, medically and interviewing by a serving member before they can even be offered a position.

I know based upon all the members stories of there basic training, while it was fun it was bloody hard. They in a sense teach you everything again. They teach you how to shave, how to iron, how to push yourself past your limit and keep going. The guys tell me that they would had to do basic training again.

[LunaBlue]

My baby Brother has been in the Navy since he was 18 (He is now 38). He has seen active service twice, been to almost every country in the world, spent his 21st at see in the gulf. he has also made some great mates, had fun O/S, and also here at home. It did him the absolute world of good. He is now married with two children and is an officer. I think the ads are great.

[darcswan]

There will never come a point within our life time nor others to come where force conscription would become a part /necessity of the ADF.

Interesting - I've always believe the real problem is retention, not recruitment. So while they may be able to get plenty of juniors in, the senior ranks have gaping holes. Easy to see why - the lifestyle which may be great while you are young doesn't suit family life. The pay will never be near what is possible in civilian life (particularly when ex-military is so well regarded & snapped up quickly in defence industry). Additional pressure on senior ranks means many are on back-to-back deployments, leading to burn out.

So why is so much spent on recruitment??


(FTR, my solution is additional bonuses, tax concessions, merit based promotion and shorter deployments might go a way to addressing the retention problems)

[Guest_*Alicia*_*]

Certain trades have critical levels but others exceed required numbers. Overall the ADF has exceeded their retention and recruitment targets over the past year. DH is moving into a new trade next month that is critical (so they are throwing a 5 figure sum at hikm to encourage it as a bonus) while his current trade has stopped recruiting and are only replacing those promoted and retired/med discharged out.

The pay will never be near what is possible in civilian life

That's inaccurate. While no-one gets rich in the military DHs income package as an NCO is equivalent to his civilian friends in equivalent jobs. Except DH gets big a*se bonus' when he deploys every couple of years and that is tax free.

[Hausfrau]

ETA: as for no killing at all - what of Iraq, Afghanistan? Maybe, you're right that for Australians, at the moment, numbers aren't so 'mass'. But people still die, and still have to shoot (whatever) at other people - that too is a part of the job description.

LOL! My DH has been to Iraq 3 times and has never killed anyone. He is Infantry and has been told to shoot but that it was his call, he chose to wait and the guy ended up being a carpenter working on a roof. No mass killing. My DH has seen some hideous things, but they were from their citizens, not ours.

We're not rich but we have a stable income which is much better than we would have had if DH hadn't joined the Army. He doesn't always have fun but he has gotten to do some pretty awsome things that he never could have done without the Army.

[darcswan]

That's inaccurate. While no-one gets rich in the military DHs income package as an NCO is equivalent to his civilian friends in equivalent jobs. Except DH gets big a*se bonus' when he deploys every couple of years and that is tax free.

Perhaps I should have qualified that - my partner is an engineer, so it is absolutely accurate for us.
Military do get paid more than the police I believe... Which is interesting.

[Guest_*Alicia*_*]

Are you including the entire salary package? Our housing subsidies alone are worth about $10,000-$15,000pa if grossed up.