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• The Part Time of Your Life


• Regular Army. Army Reserve. (What's the Difference?)

Imagine doing a part-time job you actually enjoy. A job that's both worthwhile to you and important to the community... a job that you're doing not just for the money. Well, the Army Reserve is such a job. Most people you talk to in the Reserves will tell you that although they earn a substantial sum from their Reserves job, that's not the reason they're involved. It's a great testament to the rewarding nature of a job in the Army Reserves. It offers you the chance to get involved in exciting outdoor activities, work in a strong team atmosphere, train on high-tech equipment, build up personal skills, make great friends, have fun, and get fit while you do it. It's for those reasons that around 17,000 Australians are part of the Army Reserve.

For years, the Army Reserve has played a vital role in protecting the security of Australia. The Army Reserve trains and works right alongside the full-time Army. They work in much the same fields and also specialised areas not covered in the full-time Army.

As an Army Reservist you may even have the chance, should you wish, to be involved in overseas service.

To take a recent example, Army Reserve soldiers served with peace-keeping forces in East Timor. Others were involved in training and operations in Bougainville, Malaysia and currently in Iraq.

OK, you say, you still haven't answered the question... what's the difference?

Army Reserve is Part Time

The big difference is the Army Reserve is part-time. In fact you can work as few as 14 days to as many as 100 days a year.

Most people attend one night a week (usually Tuesday) and one weekend a month.

They also attend a two-week training camp once a year. With the Army Reserve there is normally a work arrangement to fit in with the rest of your life.

Army Reserve is Flexible

We realise there will inevitably be times when your Reserves activities will clash with other work, study, social, sporting, or family commitments. If, for example, you have exams or have to play in the local football final, it's possible to organise time off with your supervisor. The Army Reserve will try to work with you so you can continue to enjoy the life you lead now, as well as enjoy the opportunities and benefits the Army Reserve has to offer.

Army Reserve is Local

While it's true you may get the chance to travel with the Reserves, the majority of Army Reservists join for precisely the opposite reasons - the Army Reserve is a great way to experience Army life without working far from home.

In most cases, you'll find an Army Reserve unit close by in your local community.

Jobs in Your Local Unit

There are many different jobs available in the Army Reserve - jobs ranging from clerical and administrative roles to technical jobs like engineering or medicine, through to combat roles like infantry and artillery.

It's important to remember that the jobs available to you vary depending on where you live, and what type of units are in your area.

Find out what jobs are available in your local area by clicking on the Unit Locations menu item to the left, then clicking on your local area on the map.