Hi all,
I am 30 and hoping to join the army in the next 2 years. Im wondering if there are any mums here that have joined after having kids and if you could share some of your experiences that woukd be great. The role Im interested in will be training at kapooka.
My husband is fulltime army so i understand the postings, time away for training and deployments etc etc, im more after some experiences at kapooka, how you handled being a bit older, and how your children coped having mum away
Joining the army
Joining the army
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Life Lessons
4 Replies
Be prepared to be away a lot. Also be prepared that whilst you have children and that's fantastic you will be moved around and will be sent out mission etc. whilst they understand you have a family this is not a work life balance. If your children are sick you need to have back up as it's not like a 9-5 job. You will miss special occasions and your children's milestones.
Your children will have a different lifestyle to adjust to. I have been both sides of this fence I'm still a special forces soldiers wife.
You will train in kapooka but where you are sent next is up to them. The government will own you. If you are prepared for that you will do amazing
I'm just curious about how this could work if you are both deployed or away at the same time? Also, what happens when you get transferred to different places or do they always transfer husband and wife together? My dad was in the army and I always thought the army wife held the family together whilst husband was away, I didn't even know this was a possibility or workable.
For the position I would be applying for, it would be very unlikely that my husband and I would ever need to be deployed/away for training etc at the same time. Also we would be more than likely able to be posted at the same location. Its not guaranteed, but they try to post couples together when they can. If we get seperate posting locations, the kids come with me. We have discussed/planned this at length. It all depends on the core/role that each person is in, my husband doesnt go away very often in his role and it is very predictable and easily transferrable. All roles in the army are differrent in terms of going away and posting locations. If my husband had a different role then this probably wouldnt be an option for me to join. We do have family there to help out if ever needed. There are many couples that have kids that are both in defence.
Wow, sounds awesome, good luck, wish I could give you more practical advice. I have the upmost respect for defence families, I hope it all works out for for you.