Gap chat: PM John Howard is accompanied by Defence Minister Brendan Nelson and CDF ACM Angus Houston as he meets ADFA cadets at the launch of the ADF Gap Year program. Photo by Kevin Piggott

ARMY will offer 500 positions in the ADF Gap Year program announced by Prime Minister John Howard at ADFA on August 9.

Mr Howard said the ADF Gap Year program represented a $306 million investment in the youth of Australia over the next 10 years and was part of the Government’s $3.1 billion commitment to boosting ADF recruitment and retention.

Army participants will undertake recruit training of 12 weeks, followed by initial employment training of up to 12 weeks that will then allow about six months for skills consolidation employment.

The range of vocational training and employment options includes rifleman, gunner, dental assistant, administrative clerk, cook, supply operator, ground-based defence operator and steward.

Participants can earn between $30,000 and $46,000 during the year, and $10,000 is on offer to those who return to the ADF within five years after gaining tertiary education or some other qualification.

The scheme is open to men or women aged 17-24 who have completed Year 12 or equivalent within the previous two years.

Successful applicants would participate fully in ADF life with the same training standards, equipment, pay and access to the full range of ADF benefits.

“While many Year 12 school leavers go straight into tertiary education and training, we know that about 34,000 of them each year take a break in their first year out of school to broaden their life experiences, gain skills or travel,” Mr Howard said.

“The ADF Gap Year offers these young people an alternative way of pursuing their ‘Year 13’ by serving in the Navy, Army or Air Force where they will experience a different and exciting lifestyle.

“It represents a unique opportunity to undertake training, acquire transferable skills, gain independence, maturity and become self-reliant, all while being paid.

“It is a new and innovative program which recognises the need for the ADF to adopt increasingly flexible approaches to recruitment and familiarisation while maintaining the Services’ impeccably high standards.”

Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said the scheme would appeal to young people who wanted to serve but baulked at the initial service period.

Defence Force Recruiting is accepting ADF Gap Year applications for entry later this year or early in 2008. For details visit www.defencejobs.gov.au or text ‘Gap’ to 13 19 01.