GIRLS GO FOR GAP

Young Australian women are signing up at a rapid rate for the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) first Gap Year Program.

Women have received more than 30 per cent of the letters of offer issued for the program to date. They account for 21 per cent of the Army’s recruits, 56 per cent of Navy’s recruits, and 37 per cent of those joining Air Force.

The program offers a military experience with a shorter time commitment - with the enlistees signing on for approximately 12 months. And, it also comes with a significant pay packet - with ADF Gap Year participants earning between $30,000 and $46,000 over the year.

The ADF Gap Year program is intended for students about to finish their Year 12 studies, recent school leavers, and students currently enrolled in tertiary courses.

Each of the services is tailoring their Gap Year Program to give participants a wide range of choice. A basic military training element is common to all; but Navy participants can expect to experience life onboard a ship as a sailor; while Army is offering a range of employment streams as a soldier, from rifleman and gunner to clerical and logistics trades; and Air Force is exposing its participants to a range of officer and airman/airwoman employment categories.

Director General Defence Force Recruiting, Brigadier Simon Gould, said the number of women joining the ADF Gap Year is a real positive for the program and for the ADF. 

“To date, about 115 young Australian women have received letters of offer and will have the opportunity to experience the training and lifestyle of the ADF first hand,” Brigadier Gould said.

“While they work out what they want to do next, they'll be gaining invaluable experiences and skills, as well as an insight into the ADF lifestyle not previously possible. Our hope is that they will choose to stay on.”

In the first year of implementation, Defence Force Recruiting is working to recruit 500 participants for the Army Gap Year and 100 each for Navy and Air Force.  Once fully established, the program will offer 500 places in the Army and 250 each in the Navy and Air Force.

TAKE THE ULTIMATE 12-MONTH CHALLENGE

For more details on ADF Gap Year go to www.defencejobs.gov.au or call 13 19 01.

Media contact: Defence Media Liaison (02) 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664