Aus army SFDRS for reserve (1cdo)

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grumpy stu

New Member
Gday guys. Just trying to find some more info on how the SF direct recruiting scheme works for guys trying to go for 1 cdo.

Im at a bit of a turning point in life, 28yrs old, just graduated uni with a science degree, married with 2 kids and working part time. Getting bored with typical mundane life etc, and not looking forward to getting a grad type job, cause I know Ill be bored. I really need to challenge myself.

Was thinking of regular army, which im not averse to, but I just cant put the family through all the strain of moving and my wife quitting her job which she has put a lot into. I was thinking of reserves, but have heard it can get quite mundane in some units. I basically need something that is going to take up a large part of my life, something to devote to that will challenge me, keep me interested, and not get mundane too quick.

I always had an interest in the defence force my whole life, and I now regret not joining up when i was younger. Noticed on the reserves site that you can go for direct entry to special forces, now that sort of sparked my interest. Cut off age is 30, so Im getting pretty close and if I want to do it I have to get my butt in gear.

I realise its not all that easy to just join 1cdo, but if it was I wouldnt want to do it. Its going to be a challenge, but im keen (havnt been keen on anything for a while) Im not a wild eyed teenager anymore either, and I had written off any chance of ever attempting something of this regard.

*Im just wondering if any of you guys have any info on how the reinforcement training works for reserves special forces once one has passed the entrance test etc? Im asking in regards to if its all back to back, remembering that its meant to be max of 150 days/yr for reserves. Trying to judge how this will affect the family, so Im a bit more informed when i talk to my wife about it all.

*Are there any other pretty full on reserve units that involve a lot of training, high skill levels etc? Looked at light cavalry scouts but eyesight kills that idea, sounds pretty interesting at least.

I have a heap of questions to ask, but Im trying to take my time about it all. Hope this wasnt meant to go on the end of the army basic training thread, just didnt want to drag it off topic.

Cheers, Stuart
 
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Aussie Digger

Guest
Without wishing to dampen your enthusiasm, eyesight for the Army is the same except for Helicopter pilots, who require better vision acuity than normal soldiers.

If your eyesight isn't sufficient for standard Army intakes, then it won't be for 1 CDO either.

The age ranges for a Commando are from 19 to 35 years.

AS to the training commitments, suffice to say they are extensive. When 4RAR (Cdo) was raised as a full time Commando Battalion and TAG-East established, 1 Cdo Regt had to lift it's game significantly, in terms of training it's personnel.

To enter as a Commando Reservist, you are required to enter through the Special Forces Direct Recruitment scheme.

You will be required to do the full Kapooka basic training course (13 weeks), the full infantry IET course (12 weeks) at Singleton and then the Advanced Infantry Training Course (also at Singleton - 8 weeks). Can you manage 33 weeks away from work straight?

You are also required to sign a contract before conducting all this training agreeing to join an infantry battalion as a full time soldier if you don't pass the special forces entry test or any of the subsequent Commando Courses (Commando operators course, special forces weapons course, Parachute/water operations course etc). Army is not going to provide so much expensive training on you, without getting a return on it's investment.

These courses will give you the basic ability to perform as an infantry soldier within a Royal Australia Regiment battalion, with the equivalent experience of an ARA infantry soldier who has served 12 months in a battalion.

After that you have to undertake the Special Forces Entry Test and the Commando IET courses, some of which I outlined above.

A good PDF on the whole process (for reserves and Full Time Commando operators) is available here:

http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/army/jobs/Commando/EmploymentTraining/
 
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grumpy stu

New Member
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
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Thanks for that aussie digger. I was trying to work out if the training for the reserves 1cdo was full time, so youve answered that for me. Would love to have 33 weeks away for all that training, dont know about family though

Im sure it said good eyesight for the light cavalry scout, where it wasnt mentioned for all other jobs. Bloody site is down or I would check again and link here.

Made a YOU appointment but its in march, bit longer than I wanted to wait. Have to wait till then to find out the rest of the info i wanted to know.

Dave said you would give some good answers
 
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Aussie Digger

Guest
grumpy stu said:
Thanks for that aussie digger. I was trying to work out if the training for the reserves 1cdo was full time, so youve answered that for me. Would love to have 33 weeks away for all that training, dont know about family though

Im sure it said good eyesight for the light cavalry scout, where it wasnt mentioned for all other jobs. Bloody site is down or I would check again and link here.

Made a YOU appointment but its in march, bit longer than I wanted to wait. Have to wait till then to find out the rest of the info i wanted to know.

Dave said you would give some good answers
Click to expand...
I try.

My advice now would be, "start training". Run and run and run. Do pushups, situps, chins and swim like a demon. Run cross country and long distances on road and mix it up with interval training (sprints).

You need a massive amount of cardio-vascular endurance to pass SFET. I know 2 people who have attempted SFET in the last 5 years. One failed and one passed.

One thought being a Commando would be "elite" and didn't do the hard work necessary,. The other trained his guts out.

Guess who got in?
 
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old faithful

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
I would add some pack marching Stu, once a week, min 5km an hour with 30kg, working up to 6-7km an hour. get your shoulders and back, and shins used to being "uncomfortable".:lul
 
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