Commitment
- Are you still called up after leaving the ADF?
- How long do you have to commit yourself to the Forces once you have joined up?
- How long do you have to sign up for in the Reserves?
- How many hours a day do I work as an Army Reservist?
- What are the ADF values?
- What happens if I don't like it? Is there a cooling off period?
- What is the time commitment involved with the Army General Entry Part Time?
- When do you have to retire?
Are you still called up after leaving the ADF?
All personnel who join the Australian Defence Force become members of the 'Inactive' Reserve for five years after leaving permanent service in the Navy, Army or Air Force.
How long do you have to commit yourself to the Forces once you have joined up?
General Entry non-technical applicants join for 3 or 4 years, General Entry technical applicants join for 6 years, while Officer Entry applicants join from 3 to 14.5 years. For example, Air Force direct entry Logistics Officers are appointed for 3 years while Air Force Pilots who attend ADFA are appointed for up to 14.5 years. The initial minimum period of service varies by job and entry type. Confirmation of tenure is available at each job information page.
How long do you have to sign up for in the Reserves?
There is no fixed period of service for the Reserves.
How many hours a day do I work as an Army Reservist?
A working day is considered to be 6 - 24 hours. During mid week parade you could expect to work approximately 3 hours, earning you half a day's pay, tax-free. The time worked on a weekend would depend on the training being conducted. You are entitled to a full day's pay after 6 hours of work but of course, your working day can extend beyond the 6 hours.
What are the ADF values?
The ADF expects its members to adhere to the following set of values:
Professionalism – striving for excellence in everything we do;
Loyalty – being committed to each other, our leaders and the organisation;
Integrity – doing what is right;
Courage – the strength of character to do what's right – extending to both courage and convictions (moral courage) and courage in harm's way (physical courage);
Innovation – actively looking for better ways of doing business; and
Teamwork – working together with respect, trust, and a sense of collective purpose.
What happens if I don't like it? Is there a cooling off period?
For General Entry, the option to apply for discharge while at Recruit Training exists for those members who wish to discharge at own request (prior to completing recruit training). For Officer Entry, personnel can resign at any stage by giving 3 months notice, provided they do not have a return of service obligation for certain types of training.
What is the time commitment involved with the Army General Entry Part Time?
Army General Entry Part Time recruits initially undertake 28 days continuous full time recruit training. You will then be required to parade one night a week, one weekend a month and a further 14 days Reserve service annually. Part Time service may comprise periods of continuous full time training and single day training of 2 to 6 hours duration.
When do you have to retire?
Retirement age is generally 55 years of age for full time members while part time members can work until they are 60 years old.