As a soldier in the Army, you have the chance to undertake some of the most demanding and challenging job training offered in Australia, and to arm yourself with skills and qualifications that will be highly regarded by civilian employers.

Over 70% of the Army's 26,000 workforce are soldiers.

Although combat positions are restricted to men, there are many occupations that are open to both male and female soldiers.

The minimum entry requirement for 'general entry' is completion of Year 9. You must be at least 17 years of age, be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident, have a security clearance and you need to pass aptitude, fitness and medical tests. It's worth noting that some of the more specialised positions in the Army may have different requirements.

Unlimited Choices

The Army offers occupational opportunities that are far removed from being on the frontline! Plumbing, working as a medical assistant or being a flautist in the army band are some of the many opportunities open to people.

The working environments are as diverse as the occupational choices themselves. You could be working in the barracks, doing exercises in the field, be away on a posting or be involved in humanitarian aid such as helping relocate flood victims.

A soldier in the Australian Regular Army (ARA) says his initial interest to join the ARA was sparked by his desire to work outdoors in an occupation that was of ''real community use.'' He also needed to find a job where it didn't matter that he had not completed his secondary education beyond Year 10.

The Army seemed the perfect choice and he found that the ARA certainly lived up to its promise to provide its recruits with a challenging and stimulating work environment.

''You get stretched, and you soon find out that you're capable of a lot more than what you ever believed. And, there are opportunities in the Army that you'd never get a chance to do elsewhere,'' says a young private.

There are two pathways you can take to become a soldier in the ARA. You can sign up as a non-technical general enlistee for the Australian Regular Army or Australian Army Reserve or as a technical and trade general enlistee.


From Demolitions To Dentistry

As a non-technical general enlistee you'll need to have completed Year 9 with passes in English and mathematics and be at least 17 years of age. However, because there are numerous specialist areas that you can choose, from frontline positions to office based positions, the entry requirements will differ.

For example, you may become an armoured vehicle crewman in the Royal Australian Armoured Corps, serving as a driver or a gunner on tanks and armoured personnel carriers. Or you may become a 'sapper', a combat engineer who constructs roads and bridges in the field, clearing minefields and handling demolitions.

Equally important and just as diverse are the opportunities in barrack based positions. You may choose to train as a cook or steward who will feed and serve the Army in field camps and barracks and cater for VIPs, or become a dental or medical assistant in army hospitals and clinics.

Don't Be Grounded

Careers in the Army aren't just limited to the land either. The Army employs marine specialists who maintain and operate Army boating and landing craft. Or look to the skies as an air dispatcher, controlling the movement of army aircraft, or as a parachute rigger who is responsible for recovering, inspecting, repacking, repairing and cleaning all types of parachutes used by Army personnel.


Technical And Trade

The other pathway into the Army is through its Technical and Trade Scheme. If you are already a qualified tradesperson, you are invited to apply. You will study at the Army's College of TAFE, at Bonegilla in New South Wales. And not only are you paid to learn, you're guaranteed a job when you graduate and your qualifications will be nationally recognised in civilian life.

You'll have to be at least 17 years of age and, unless specified, have completed Year 10 with passes in English, maths and science (physics). Musician, plumber and carpenter applicants must have passes in English, maths and two other subjects.


Take your pick. The Army currently offers trade training for the following specialist areas: electronics technician, electrical technician, motor mechanic, fitter and turner, aircraft technician, avionics technician, aircraft structural fitter and aircraft life support fitter.

If you decide to become a carpenter in the Army, you'll be assigned to the Royal Australian Engineers Corps. Your craftsmanship will be put to the test as you erect timber frames, lay floors, and install doors and windows.

If you opt to work as a vehicle mechanic, you'll be assigned to the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps. Vehicle mechanics are responsible for repairing and maintaining cars, trucks, prime movers, trailers, plant equipment and armoured fighting vehicles.

But these are just a hint of what's included in the Technical and Trade Scheme. You could even enlist in the Australian Army Band Corps, if you are a qualified musician. The opportunity to entertain Heads of State then awaits you!


Forward March!

Regardless of which entry path you take, once accepted, all recruits have to complete the 80 day Recruit Training Course, during which time you'll be stationed at the Army Recruit Training Centre in Kapooka, New South Wales. While there, you will undergo physically challenging and mentally demanding exercises, designed to prepare you for the life of a soldier.

When you complete the course, you will have reached the standard of a basic soldier, having developed the qualities and acquired the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to progress further. Once you have finished recruit training, you will begin training for a specific occupation.

During recruit training, general enlistees earn approximately $25,400, which increases to $28,800. Fully qualified general enlistee soldiers can earn approx between $36,930 and $58,005. Technical and Trade Scheme entrants earn approx $19,200 per year during recruit training, which increases to approx $22,800. Fully qualified technical and trade scheme soldiers can earn approx between $38,500 and $58,005 per year. For more up-to-date salaries, you can contact the Australian Defence Force directly.

To apply for a job in the ARA, you must be an Australian citizen (or eligible to become one) or have permanent residency, have the appropriate educational requirements for the occupation or specialist training for which you are applying, and pass aptitude, fitness and medical tests. You need to be at least 17 years old to enter the Army as a general enlistee.

For more information regarding specific occupational prerequisites or the ADF's recruitment needs, go to (http://www.defencejobs.gov.au) and click on Careers Explorer at the bottom left-hand side of the screen. Alternatively, you can call the recruitment hotline or even drop into your local Australian Defence Force Careers Centre in Perth.

	The Australian Defence Force Academy
	Northcott Drive Campbell ACT 2600 Phone: (02) 6268 8111 URL:www.unsw.adfa.edu.au

Defence Force Recruiting Centre (WA)
Level 7 66 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000 Phone: (08) 9488 7188 or 13 19 01 URL:www.defencejobs.gov.au

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Opportunities like representing Australia at the Olympics are rare, unless of course your name is Ian Thorpe or Cathy Freeman. But being an Army Reservist with the Australian Army gave Justin the opportunity to be there.

''I didn't want to come back. I'd never seen anything like it before, the level of euphoria was incredible.''

Justin, who had been an Army Reservist for about four and a half years at the time, says the services of 1,800 Army personnel were enlisted by the New South Wales Police Force. The sheer number of people attending the Games meant the Police unit had to call on additional resources, including those of the Army Reserve.

''The reservists' role was to check every vehicle's interior, boot, bonnet and underside at the entry points to each venue,'' says Justin.

And although he was working at the Games, he did get to share the same breathing space as the world's finest athletes, as they dined together in the Olympic Village's communal meals' area.

During his first three years as a reservist, Justin was a member of the Armoured Corps, where the main job was to conduct medium range reconnaissance (inspections) in Armoured Personnel Carriers. He also participated in navigational, driver and live firing training exercises.

After an 18 month break from the Army, Justin re-enlisted.

''I planned to do the same role but I changed my mind. I'm now in the Ordnance Corps, where as a storeman I must ensure that every soldier has the correct gear both for the barracks and for field activities. I also test any new gear that comes in, I have to know how it works before I can hand it out to anyone.''

Outside of the Army Reserve, Justin is completing an engineering degree. He eventually hopes to use his professional training in a role within the regular Australian Army. In the meantime, being a member of the Army Reserve is an experience he considers to be highly rewarding.

''I feel very proud, it distinguishes you from everyone else. It makes you a better person, because you learn a lot about discipline and the value of working as part of a team. I've also made a lot of great mates.''