Tuesday the 21st of June - Goroke P-12 College

It‟s amazing how much
life can change in such a
short space of time. Six
months ago I wouldn‟t
have been able to even
describe how to march
effectively, and now it‟s
second nature. After five
weeks of a Sergeant
yelling in your ear 24
hours a day, suddenly
you learn to complete
everything “abnormally
quick, at a high
standard”, as he would
put it.
When having even the
slightest crease in the
wrong part of your
trousers will earn you a visit to the Sergeant when you finally have free time. Or wearing a
watch during physical training will earn push-ups, for everyone, you soon learn to look out for
poor dress standards.
Even though what I‟ve described doesn‟t sound very pleasant, I have loved almost every
minute of it. My experience is extremely different from most that enter the Defence Force.
Most go straight into their role after basic training, I have four years of study to complete
before-hand, and hence my initial training is nowhere near as severe as those going “direct
entry.” My time will come at Duntroon Royal Military College (Officer Training) in two and a
half years.
After the initial six weeks is completed, the highest priority for me is my Civil Engineering
degree, with 12 hours of military study assigned each week, and two hours of drill (marching).
I still have time for extra-curricular activities, including marathon and distance running
(MADR), football and mixed-netball as my choices. It‟s been a life-changing experience, and
one I would recommend to anyone considering it. I have met so many like-minded people,
and one‟s who will be some of my best friends for life, just don‟t go into it half-hearted, it‟s a
big commitment if you don‟t truly desire it, and a worthy sacrifice if you do.
JOSEPH COLLEY
OCDT
2 Division
Alpha Squadron
Australian Defence Force Academy