ADF Training Question
 

Hi all,

My question relates to the availability of Married quarters for personnel who are training as Pilots with the ADF. Let's assume, for arguments sake, that it is with the RAAF. I understand that spouses do not join you during Initial Officer Training and things like Combat Survival, but would be interested to know which phases of training they can stay with you.

Also, the ADF website says that the ADF will cover the costs of removal if a basing is greater than or equal to 6 months in duration. In reality, do they cover the cost of removal from one's civillian housing to Tamworth (approx 26 weeks), and thence on to Pearce etc.

The Recruitment people I've spoken to weren't sure about these things.

Thanks in advance guys and girls.

The Wiz

G'day Schnoz,
My advice would be to phone the removals section at the Corporate Services and Infrastructure Group of the capital city where you are. (I love these wankey corporrate titles - NOT!)
They should be able to send you a book detailing specifically what you will or will not be entitled to. I know there is a lot of stuff on DEFWEB but not sure about the www.

The people in these offices are generally the final approving authority for removals so they should be able to give you the good oil. For each of us who have been through the removals system we would possibly have as many interpretations on entitlements hence my suggestion for getting it from the horses mouth.

You can live with your spouse in Tamworth (no married quarters as such, just a rental/defence house in town), and yes they pay for removal.

Thanks Jock and Duke - much appreciated.

Also have a look at www.defence.gov.au/dpe for pay and conditions.

Best of luck

Forgot to mention, from TW you can then shift wife/family over to Pearce for the PC9 component. Most guys seem to do the 6 month BFTS bit without dragging their spouse to TW, most who scrub/dropout do so here, not relocating the whole family makes it easier should this happen. The Pearce area and Toowoomba (for army guys) are much nicer places to subject your other half to.

Is it a good idea though?
 

Can't speak from military experience, but if it is anything like initial jet training and check to line, you might want to consider whether it will be helpful for you to be around them and them to be around you......

Depends on how your family works, but not too many really know the magnitude of the effort that will be required of you.

I suggest that you will be so busy, SO focussed on what you are doing, that you won't have much time and brainspace to be any use to your family. Your partner may get a little pissed off that virtually NO time for her will be available for months...

Might be better to bite the bullet, have them stay where they have family/friends/other people to support them while you focus all your energies on getting through.... maybe fly them over for a weekend at the beach or something part way through.....

My 2c worth.

Good luck!

Unfortunately I have to agree with ITCZ on this one.

Twice as much time as you think should be spent on study, revision and visualisation will not even be half of that required.
Just as you walk out on the flightline, you will find yourself praying for 25hr days, just so you can re-read those orders/checklists/pizza menus. Why pizza? Well, you won't have enough time to cook your own dinners, let alone wash up. This then progresses into weight limits for aircrew, and the associated problems with ejection envelopes.....

Shnozzette will find it harder to understand your new 'craze' than she does now, especially when you are required to attend the bar every Friday afteroon (for socialising with the instructors).

Having said all of that, try and spend one day per weekend study free, and enjoy it. If Mrs S can truly handle that, then reconsider allowing her to move to Perth with you.

Thanks to all for their helpful responses. Since those that have responded seem to know what they are talking about, I thought I might try my luck with another question.

Can some guys and/or girls give me some examples of career progression as a pilot in the ADF? Eg. After 3 years I was doing this at this rank and after 13 years I then moved to so and so doing that. Does that make sense? No particular service - any and all responses would be appreciated.

Thanks again.

Well said ITCZ, i couldnt agree more. Reconsider, and leave your family elsewhere. Its for your and their beneft!