I've been in the Air Force now for nearly 5 years. I joined up straight out of school so I don't really know any thing else. But I will be trying to get out in the next couple of years, to experience different things. There are deffinaltey some positives with the defence forces but also some negatives! Last year I only spent 32 days at my base working in my squadron and was away for the rest of the year. Squadron life WILL take a toll on your personal life for sure!!! Think about that!

I personally wouldn't take a pay cut by half to join the air force!!!

Just my opinion though.

But if you do there is a saying in the forces:

The Army sleep under the stars, the Navy navigate by the stars and the Air Force rate their hotels by stars!!!

Hey CDM,

Maybe I'm being a little to harsh about the whole topic, read on, and you can be the judge.

I take up new position on HMAS Kanimbla 2nd Feb 2004.

Since HMAS Kanimbla is one of two LPA's (Landing Platform Amphibious) in the fleet we have a lot to do with the ARMY, as we can aul the gear all over the place and can extend our personnel caryying capacity to 600+ people.

These ARMY contingents are mainly based in Darwin and Townsville.

In the 330 days from the 2nd of Feb until the end of the year.

247 days were spent away from HMAS Kanimblas homeport in Sydney. The majority of the 247 days away were back and forth to Townsville, Darwin and so on. To pick up the soliders, drop them off, float and wait.

The Ship and her crew from the 13th December for 4 weeks were granted an RAP (reduced activity period) for Christmas, in other words, holidays. Up until then, myself I'd only had the opportunity to take 11 days, so I was excited about taking a decent break.

The crew were split into two groups, half taking the first 2 weeks, the next taking the final two weeks. I was group 2 so I worked Christmas, and Boxing Day.

Guess what happened on Boxing Day?

36 hours after the TSUNAMI struck, the ADF were called upon to assist, and the since Engineers were required with their heavy plant and water purifying equipment adn Kanimbla being the only operational LPA

(sister ship Manoora, still in dry dock after undergoing a re-fit that took eleven months, 5 more than it should and was supposed to be ready to be the on-call vessell for the XMAS period)

Kanimbla, 28th December, entire ships company recalled and sailed approximately 1800hours on New Years Eve, throught the harbour traffic to load up in Darwin and make a beeline for the Sumatra Coast.

Arrive in Sumatra, no one, not even brass involved with the running of the Operation knew when were going home, it took 62 days to finally find out, then it changed 3 times for us on the Ship.

Army began to pull out after handing back the Hospital in ACEH, that was late FEB. We were made stay, until every other Australians military Detachment had left.

On our way home via Singapore for a four day visit.

Earthquake in NIAS.

U turn and head back, missing Easter and ANZAC day, instead we were supposed to feel good about the great things we were doing for those people, seek comfort in honouring our fallen shipmates when a helicopter fell out of the sky.

Get back into Australia, band playing, Prime Minister with other diplomats surrounding, press family, streamers...you name it.

238 Ships regualr contingent, finally back, wanting to go home to family and friends, made to stay 6 hours after the ship pulled in, press fiasco / PR opportunity.

121 days in Indonesia, and for 6 days the crew had an opportunity to leave the ship for R&R.

121 plus 240 = 361days and same day I handed in discharge...that takes 12 months to process.

But before all that, before 2nd Feb 04, and I have served on other vessels, I loved my job.

Tell me, do I bring FWD a valid point?

Could be different in the Airforce, but, couldn't be that different.

Darren

Hey CDM,

Maybe I'm being a little to harsh about the whole topic, read on, and you can be the judge.

I take up new position on HMAS Kanimbla 2nd Feb 2004.

Since HMAS Kanimbla is one of two LPA's (Landing Platform Amphibious) in the fleet we have a lot to do with the ARMY, as we can aul the gear all over the place and can extend our personnel caryying capacity to 600+ people.

These ARMY contingents are mainly based in Darwin and Townsville.

In the 330 days from the 2nd of Feb until the end of the year.

247 days were spent away from HMAS Kanimblas homeport in Sydney. The majority of the 247 days away were back and forth to Townsville, Darwin and so on. To pick up the soliders, drop them off, float and wait.

The Ship and her crew from the 13th December for 4 weeks were granted an RAP (reduced activity period) for Christmas, in other words, holidays. Up until then, myself I'd only had the opportunity to take 11 days, so I was excited about taking a decent break.

The crew were split into two groups, half taking the first 2 weeks, the next taking the final two weeks. I was group 2 so I worked Christmas, and Boxing Day.

Guess what happened on Boxing Day?

36 hours after the TSUNAMI struck, the ADF were called upon to assist, and the since Engineers were required with their heavy plant and water purifying equipment adn Kanimbla being the only operational LPA

(sister ship Manoora, still in dry dock after undergoing a re-fit that took eleven months, 5 more than it should and was supposed to be ready to be the on-call vessell for the XMAS period)

Kanimbla, 28th December, entire ships company recalled and sailed approximately 1800hours on New Years Eve, throught the harbour traffic to load up in Darwin and make a beeline for the Sumatra Coast.

Arrive in Sumatra, no one, not even brass involved with the running of the Operation knew when were going home, it took 62 days to finally find out, then it changed 3 times for us on the Ship.

Army began to pull out after handing back the Hospital in ACEH, that was late FEB. We were made stay, until every other Australians military Detachment had left.

On our way home via Singapore for a four day visit.

Earthquake in NIAS.

U turn and head back, missing Easter and ANZAC day, instead we were supposed to feel good about the great things we were doing for those people, seek comfort in honouring our fallen shipmates when a helicopter fell out of the sky.

Get back into Australia, band playing, Prime Minister with other diplomats surrounding, press family, streamers...you name it.

238 Ships regualr contingent, finally back, wanting to go home to family and friends, made to stay 6 hours after the ship pulled in, press fiasco / PR opportunity.

121 days in Indonesia, and for 6 days the crew had an opportunity to leave the ship for R&R.

121 plus 240 = 361days and same day I handed in discharge...that takes 12 months to process.

But before all that, before 2nd Feb 04, and I have served on other vessels, I loved my job.

Tell me, do I bring FWD a valid point?

Could be different in the Airforce, but, couldn't be that different.

Darren

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I see. It certainly would be hard to settle down given the circumstances. May I ask, have you completed your return of service obligation or are you asking for a discharge before it's up? I am just wondering if this is possible or not. I have heard that the Navy does the most travel of the forces. I suppose this would be ok for young single people but if you have a family it must be very tough.

I believe the amount of travel you do in the Air Force is greatly dependant upon the squadron you’re in and the type of aircraft you fly. E.g The heavy transport guys would be doing a lot more travel then the fighter pilots I imagine.

Boosted_sa: what is your position in the forces? Do you know much about the lifestyle of the pilots? I am by no means looking for an easy life (the whole reason I am joining is for the challenge) however I am wondering if it would be possible to be in the forces and bring up a family at the same time. I currently work 65-75 hours a week and am usually too stuffed to spend much time with my mates and girlfriend. I wonder if it would be any better/worse? What would a typical day, or week as a Pilot, or an officer in general involve? The other thing I would be concerned about is if I could only spend a couple of years flying then be chucked behind a desk for the rest of my time.

Cheers,

Chris

PS: Guys please feel free to PM me if you don't want to discuss in public.

CDM,

Yeah I've completed my ROSO, just about to begin my seventh year, originally wanted to stay to at least 10, and get long service.

There are ways to get out prior to your completion of ROSO.

Medically Discharged - If you have a sleep walking condition, sleep apnoea, epilepsy.

Psychological reasons - Post traumatic stress, major depression due to exposure to events that the ADF has directly exposed you to.

Retention not in interest of ARMY/NAVY/AIRFORCE - basically if your a big enough pain in the arse, causing trouble, blatant failure to uphold ADF ethos, they'll turf ya.

I know a lot of people getting out all falling into many of the three categories.

Feel free to ask me anything. Just PM me.

Cheers,

Darren