Kyoki
2008-09-07, 18:11
(A Y.O.U. day is the first part of the process for joining the Australian Defence Force (aside from applying).)
I was told to arrive at 8:15 for an 8:30 start. I actually got there around 8 and found that several other applicants were already inside, sitting around and chatting with recruiters. All the recruiters were non commissioned officers, mostly corporals and their inter-service equivalent. Most of the applicants were dressed fairly casually. The officer applicants (including myself) were all in business attire*. By the time we started there were about 25 or 30 people.
Come 8:30, an army corporal had us all take seats and gave us a run through of the day. First we'd all take two aptitude tests. The first was a general test, the second mathematical. After that we were to fill out medical history questionnaires and other paperwork. After that would come a brief one on one with a nurse and then a recruiter would run run you through your options and conduct an initial interview. Before we took the tests, we were told to talk to the person next to us and learn about them. He then asked all officer applicants to stand up and tell everyone about their partner. He then gave me drink bottle for my trouble.
The tests were pretty much the same as most internet IQ tests, which would make good practice. There did seem to be a focus on pattern recognition. We were all taken into a side room filled with computers. Each computer had a name on it and you just looked for your own. You went through a tutorial including a practice test and then began the tests. The first test was 75 questions in 35 minutes. You aren't expected to finish the tests in time. They want as many correct answers as you can give them in the allotted time. I actually managed to finish it with about a minute spare (no one else did). The computer then tells you you can have a minute long break before going on to the math test. You actually have long enough to go take a piss etc. I did so, then returned and began the second test. I forget the number of questions and time allowed, but it was shorter. It was mostly pretty basic. You'd want to revise your SIN, TAN and COS as well as your Pythagorean geometry. Most of it seemed applicable to navigating by map etc. I finished it, so did two engineering students.
After that we spent ages filling out forms and were taken one by one to see a nurse. She checked us for colour blindness and asked a few questions. Nothing invasive.
After the nurse, we were each taken aside in turn and had a short interview with a recruiter. The recruiter had a printout of the jobs we had qualified for on the tests. I was told I'd qualified for pretty much everything, though further testing was required for a few jobs (Psych tests for wannabe submariners, spatial testing for pilots etc.). My preferences were all covered by the tests I'd already done, so I didn't bother taking the others.
The recruiter will ask you a fair few questions to make sure you know what you're getting yourself into. Make sure you can give coherent reasons for wanting to join and that you're aware of the downsides etc. Remember that these are corporals etc. They can completely understand wanting to blow stuff up for a living, but they don't want to see any sadistic/rambo/whatever traits coming through. They'll also probably ask how you'd feel about killing someone. This question requires a little finesse. Most people say that they're not looking forward to it but that they believe they could do so if the situation made it appropriate. I took a different tack, I explained that having never killed a person, I couldn't say for sure, but that killing fish, rabbits and the like never caused me any trouble (I used to work in an aquarium. When you're killing a dozen fish a day, you quickly switch from humane to efficient...). At that point I noticed him surreptitiously checking out my psych results from a few years back**. He nodded slowly and said "Fair enough."
He approved me for all my preferences and I was sent on my way with instructions to bring in a couple of pieces of documentation. I did so and a couple of days later got a call to vet my medical history. They were sneaky and tried to trip me up so see if I'd lied on it. Don't lie, or at least memorise what you put down. I've dislocated my shoulder, had minor surgery and have sleepwalked occasionally. I also had mild asthma in my younger days, though I no longer own a ventilator. None of these really cause me any trouble today and I was approved. From what I've heard they're extremely wary of knee injuries.
I now have an assessment day coming up. This includes a proper interview and extensive medical exam. I'm told I'd damn well better know everything about all three of my preferences and have my reasons for joining down pat. When I have that, I'll post an update in this thread. Feel free to ask questions.
* I was wearing a pale, almost metallic, blue shirt, black dress pants and an Armani silk tie. I looked dead freakin' sexy. Most of the others were a little more conservative.
**When I was 19, I applied for the special forces direct recruitment scheme, but agreed to return to uni and finish my degree when my mother threatened to cut me out of the (8 figure) will. At the time, I had an interview with a psychologist and was found suitable for special forces.
I was told to arrive at 8:15 for an 8:30 start. I actually got there around 8 and found that several other applicants were already inside, sitting around and chatting with recruiters. All the recruiters were non commissioned officers, mostly corporals and their inter-service equivalent. Most of the applicants were dressed fairly casually. The officer applicants (including myself) were all in business attire*. By the time we started there were about 25 or 30 people.
Come 8:30, an army corporal had us all take seats and gave us a run through of the day. First we'd all take two aptitude tests. The first was a general test, the second mathematical. After that we were to fill out medical history questionnaires and other paperwork. After that would come a brief one on one with a nurse and then a recruiter would run run you through your options and conduct an initial interview. Before we took the tests, we were told to talk to the person next to us and learn about them. He then asked all officer applicants to stand up and tell everyone about their partner. He then gave me drink bottle for my trouble.
The tests were pretty much the same as most internet IQ tests, which would make good practice. There did seem to be a focus on pattern recognition. We were all taken into a side room filled with computers. Each computer had a name on it and you just looked for your own. You went through a tutorial including a practice test and then began the tests. The first test was 75 questions in 35 minutes. You aren't expected to finish the tests in time. They want as many correct answers as you can give them in the allotted time. I actually managed to finish it with about a minute spare (no one else did). The computer then tells you you can have a minute long break before going on to the math test. You actually have long enough to go take a piss etc. I did so, then returned and began the second test. I forget the number of questions and time allowed, but it was shorter. It was mostly pretty basic. You'd want to revise your SIN, TAN and COS as well as your Pythagorean geometry. Most of it seemed applicable to navigating by map etc. I finished it, so did two engineering students.
After that we spent ages filling out forms and were taken one by one to see a nurse. She checked us for colour blindness and asked a few questions. Nothing invasive.
After the nurse, we were each taken aside in turn and had a short interview with a recruiter. The recruiter had a printout of the jobs we had qualified for on the tests. I was told I'd qualified for pretty much everything, though further testing was required for a few jobs (Psych tests for wannabe submariners, spatial testing for pilots etc.). My preferences were all covered by the tests I'd already done, so I didn't bother taking the others.
The recruiter will ask you a fair few questions to make sure you know what you're getting yourself into. Make sure you can give coherent reasons for wanting to join and that you're aware of the downsides etc. Remember that these are corporals etc. They can completely understand wanting to blow stuff up for a living, but they don't want to see any sadistic/rambo/whatever traits coming through. They'll also probably ask how you'd feel about killing someone. This question requires a little finesse. Most people say that they're not looking forward to it but that they believe they could do so if the situation made it appropriate. I took a different tack, I explained that having never killed a person, I couldn't say for sure, but that killing fish, rabbits and the like never caused me any trouble (I used to work in an aquarium. When you're killing a dozen fish a day, you quickly switch from humane to efficient...). At that point I noticed him surreptitiously checking out my psych results from a few years back**. He nodded slowly and said "Fair enough."
He approved me for all my preferences and I was sent on my way with instructions to bring in a couple of pieces of documentation. I did so and a couple of days later got a call to vet my medical history. They were sneaky and tried to trip me up so see if I'd lied on it. Don't lie, or at least memorise what you put down. I've dislocated my shoulder, had minor surgery and have sleepwalked occasionally. I also had mild asthma in my younger days, though I no longer own a ventilator. None of these really cause me any trouble today and I was approved. From what I've heard they're extremely wary of knee injuries.
I now have an assessment day coming up. This includes a proper interview and extensive medical exam. I'm told I'd damn well better know everything about all three of my preferences and have my reasons for joining down pat. When I have that, I'll post an update in this thread. Feel free to ask questions.
* I was wearing a pale, almost metallic, blue shirt, black dress pants and an Armani silk tie. I looked dead freakin' sexy. Most of the others were a little more conservative.
**When I was 19, I applied for the special forces direct recruitment scheme, but agreed to return to uni and finish my degree when my mother threatened to cut me out of the (8 figure) will. At the time, I had an interview with a psychologist and was found suitable for special forces.