Thread: The Strain On Defence Force Families.

Originally Posted by Chenz

True. She does the job because she loves it and not the money. The point is that the old adage of a fair day's work for a fair day's pay rigs even more clearly when it is your life that you are putting on the line.

I don't have the figures but life in general is risky. Some jobs more so than others . Are you at more risk in some jobs yes. But people tend to do what they love. Regretting some decisions you made early in life, but now bitter about them is not helping your mindset. Not directed at your daughter at all, I hoped she enjoys her experiences

Originally Posted by boa

I don't have the figures but life in general is risky. Some jobs more so than others . Are you at more risk in some jobs yes. But people tend to do what they love. Regretting some decisions you made early in life, but now bitter about them is not helping your mindset.

Boa, please. You are getting out of line, mate. Bob

Originally Posted by boa

I don't have the figures but life in general is risky. ....

Safe Work Australia publish the figures every year. Last I looked, Farmers have a higher rate of death and serious injury than those the military (in recent years). Presumably that is averaged across all ranks, etc...

Originally Posted by bob10

Nowra, or Creswell, I assume. And how much time do they spend away from home? We have a name for them . Stone frigates. They never go to sea. Good if you can get it. And good luck to them. But a big mistake to base your perception of life in the Navy on them. Bob

So what you're saying is that some military personel have a right to complain and some don't?

Albatross and Creswell, and they spend a good amount of time at sea.
A mother came crying to us recently because her hubby just got home after being out for 2 weeks at sea flying, and was called the next day to go for an undetermined time, leaving in the morning. That's the life, she cried, but it happens. she married a navy man, she knows it.

Another family is lucky because hubby is only based in Sydney at the moment so can come home on the weekends!!

Shall I continue??
Think I might ask them what a stone frigate is and see how they react....

Wifes cousin is at Garden island in Perth, they do EXTREMELY well for them selves. It has its downsides also, but it's the life they choose. Their kids are awesome!! Less trouble and better behave than I was at their age!

And my ARMY mate is still living large and enjoying retirement before 65.

The only way your army mate gets free medical is if he is disabled and has a gold or silver card from vet affairs there may be more to his story than you know

Like all employment some reach levels above their ability or experience but...there are so many courses and assessments it's quite competitive.
The great thing is that peers are the best judge. Most course assessment involve group activities whereby those that are not team players or pull their weight don't get the support of their peers and rate low. I've seen peers buoy up students because they deserved to pass and in turn some that would pass not get the support and fail.


Luckily the people that you don't want are more visible and accountable in active service.

In turn some people, particularly technical ones may wish to or choose to stay at that rank or position. I had a Corporal that was chosen as the Army best soldier one year and he chose to do the same job for 15 of his 20 years.

The structure on the web site is hyperthetical.

There are opportunities and choices as there would be in any industry. A good leader is just that a leader of a team and when he or she moves on promotion, may take some of the team with them, I did.
One big issue is the loss of the Service pension after 20 years whereby people remained for the duration. Your most interesting and rewarding job is about the 12 year mark then it was other jobs until your time was up. At the 12 year mark you are fully trained and experienced but not too entrenched to get out and get Civil employment. Often it's the best that move on.
One reason the web provides rank and promotion information is that recruits now join into a trade or position and often know their first posting location. In my time locations were gained on merit and keenly contested. This would be the case moreso today as most are posted to Bris, Townsville or Darwin, well away from where they come from. A long way from where prospective partners live and family support. And reunion travel has been cut. It's expensive to live in these areas.

I have a slightly different experience about the moving around. My father was in the army his whole working life, we were in Darwin and got moved to Sydney 10 days before cyclone Tracey hit , so im thankful for that move.


Got moved around several times until he got posted to Campbell barracks in Swanbourne WA where we spent about 7 yrs.


My brother joined up, and when I didn't my father never spoke to me again.


I have nothing but admiration for all serving and past serving personel.I have certainly lived 1 side of it.


The original post sounded no different to my life as a Commercial fisherman but I certainly don't want it to be compared to what those in the services go thru.... and to be clear im not trying too..


Cheers Ean

[. This would be the case moreso today as most are posted to Bris, Townsville or Darwin, well away from where they come from. A long way from where prospective partners live and family support. And reunion travel has been cut. It's expensive to live in these areas.[/QUOTE]

And that sums up why we are ****ed about the loss of leave days, travel expenses cut (because new cars travel better and the road upgrades make travel easier) hahaa, clearly not the roads out of Townsville or Darwin and entitlements reduced. If it wasn't for these cuts, I don't think the pay would be such the issue it is.

Will.