The MEAO was a great experience.
I've been thinking a bit lately about the fact that when I joined (five or so years back) that they (recruiting, psych, board etc) asked me questions along the lines of "So, if Australia went to war, what would you think." Of course, I gave the standard reply "Signed on the dotted line blah blah duty blah blah mine is not to reason why blah blah" which seemed to keep everyone happy. Whilst answering the question I was thinking "Go to war? No chance in the world is Australia going to be at war in my lifetime." Events have proved me wrong. I know that all of my mates who joined prior to Sep 11 didn't think they'd be in a shooting war, either. That's not to say people are upset about it. Quite to the contrary, I think most people in the ADF have had a good time at the war. After all, it's why we joined, even if we never thought it would happen.
I'm interested to know what people joining today think of the question "So, if Australia went to war..."