Topic: Joining the Army [updated 4th August]

[Unscientific Postscript]

Does the army have a college?

Yes, RMC Duntroon. This is separate from the RAAF and Navy ones.

Or does it offer a chance to take the couse after so many years/month's enlistment?

Yes, it does - this was one of the options that my careers counsellor raised with me. I must say I am quite tempted by it, but the downside is that it is easy to get stuck on a particular track, and it can take years and years for the Army to appprove a change of service.

Have you considered the navy as they do alot of disaster relief work...?

I don't know if our Navy does the same thing. I am disinclined to join the Navy because of the effect on my relationship (much longer times apart) and the living conditions on board: even officers have to share cabins, while enlisted men live in dormitories. I would find that difficult.

[Unscientific Postscript]

So, after an enormous hoo-hah with the medical section, I finally had my interview yesterday.

In the end I decided I wasn't grown up enough to lead other people; maybe later on, but for the moment I'll just enjoy learning to be in a non-university environment. So I applied to be either a medic or a language specialist in the signals corp. The interviewer was from Signals himself, and had worked closely with Electronic Warfare Operators. He said that they deploy all the time and do a lot of independent work on the frontline and behind enemy lines. After the interview he took me aside and said I'd be an idiot not to pick the Signals job, because I'm perfect for it.

Bottom line, I'm in, and soon I'll know Farsi and maybe Arabic too!

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread: it really helped me out.

Cheers, UP

[Two Blades as One, Samurai Ichirou]

No problem mate! Congradulations, that's awesome! Good luck mate and stay safe!

Shin shutsu ki botsu

[Swan Knight]

I thought that you were more or less a pacifist. Congrats nonetheless. I was myself thinking of joining the military, however I read a quote, not sure from who, but it said "wars will only stop when the Youth of the world stop joining the military.". Or something to that effect.

I feel this is true, and so I am making my stand by not joining the army.

But if it is what you would like, I feel you have made a choice that you will be proud of and very happy with for the rest of your life (regardless if you leave after a few years or not).

Btw, whats your armor save?

[Unscientific Postscript]

Thanks both of you.

Swan Knight; I have never properly been a pacifist, but I do see where you're coming from. I believe that personal body armor only gives a 5+ save, but with my special skill Getting the beslubber out of Harms Way, this can be improved to an invulnerable 1+ rerollable save. 

[Swan Knight]

Dude, I think that may just be the funniest thing I have ever read. I laughed for a good 30 seconds out loud. You made my day - Thanks!

P.s. Mind if I put that in my sig?

[Unscientific Postscript]

Go right ahead (whoever says no?) 

[PaxImperator]

Now seems like a good time to add how I've gotten on since my last reply. My family talked me out of my plans on the same evening I divulged them, a little over a month ago. It was a much more emotional moment than I had expected, and I'm glad I've changed my mind. It seems I was far too focused on the practical whats and hows, rather than on what I'd get out of a military career. My new girlfriend also influenced my change of heart without her even knowing it. It's such a big relief to have those plans in the bin now. My plans for the future are tentative as of yet, but I look set to continue my studies, get my master's degree and possibly join the army reserve later on to satisfy my desires in that area. We'll see.

Unscientific Postscript: Best of luck to you. I hope you'll live to be happy with your choice.

[Unscientific Postscript]

Why is it  a relief to have those plans in the bin when they were something you'd thought hard about, for such a long time?

[PaxImperator]

Because I had been fooling myself into believing that a military career would be the right choice for me. I unconsciously suppressed all my misgivings about it. I only came to realize that when I started discussing my plans with my family. They brought counterarguments to the table that I had been ignoring until then. It seems strange that I had been deluding myself for so long and I'm not particularly proud of it, but there you have it. Somewhere deep down I had a sinking feeling all along, and it's a relief to have recognized and eliminated that.

[Cortez]

Well, no matter what happens, you'll be fine. I had one of my friends join the army, and the aussie webbing and pouches are pretty good. His advice was to cut slits in the top pocket of your ammo pouch which enables you to fit two more mags inside.

Just remember that there is a good chance that you will see people or be wounded at sometime depending on your position.

And if you have a laser pointer and see some terrorists, you know what to do!