HUNDREDS of teenagers across the Murray Mallee region have been inspired to look into a career with the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force.
More than 400 Year 10 to 12 students, across nine schools from Manangatang to Kerang, welcomed the Australian Defence Force (ADF) careers team, in a tour arranged by the Murray Mallee Local Learning and Employment Network.
Army Captain Gemma Berto and Navy Leading Seaman Peter Williams gave engaging presentations on the many different careers and pathways, including their own backgrounds, and the opportunities to study, retrain and try out more than 200 available jobs.
Everyone accepted to the ADF must go through recruitment training, and it can be gruelling – for the Army it means an 80-day slog in Kapooka, with no phones.
“That initial training is the toughest part of being in the army – after that, it’s a breeze,” Capt Berto said.
Careers span many sectors, including business, administration, education, combat and security, communications, IT, intelligence, medical and dental, logistics, hospitality and support.
For young people interested in trades, there are also 29 trades across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, across aviation, automotive, marine, construction, communication, and fabrication.
“If you decide to do one of these trades, you will not be on an apprenticeship wage,” Capt Berto said.
“And you can easily transition to civilian life with those skills.”
Young people can apply for general entry or officer entry, directly or through the ADF Academy.
Another option is the ADF gap year, which allows young people to consider their options while training and earning money.
This option appealed to St Mary MacKillop Year 10 student, Danielle Hijniakov, who is also considering a career in the police force.
“I’ve been looking at it in the last couple of months, but sort of my whole life since I was little,” Danielle said.
“I’ve always had an interest in the Army. I’ve watched so many Army movies – my favourite one has to be Cadet Kelly.”
Danielle still has a few years to decide between the Army and police, and the gap year seems like a good tie-breaker.
“I’m not sure yet,” she said. “This is why I want to take that gap year, and still take the Victoria Police Academy 32-week course.”
Year 12 student, Tom Miller, was already part way through his application, intent on continuing a family tradition.
“I’m hoping to do my apprenticeship in construction,” he said.
“I like hands on stuff, getting to build stuff and enjoy life.
“You get to travel, meet new mates. I’m really looking forward to it, and it benefiting me as a person.
“And continuing the family history – we go back to the Second Boer War, in the 1890s, then World War I, World War WII and Vietnam.”
Keen as mustard, this was the fourth time Tom had attended an ADF careers presentation.
“I really like it, and I hope I get to serve one day,” he said.
