Do we have any Zgeeks in the RAN ?

[Zomgie]

I have my Assesment Day for the Royal Australian Navy this Thursday, and
was wondering if we have any Zgeeks who are currently / have served.

Basically I am applying for Communication and Information Systems Sailor (http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/default.asp?initMedia=1&media=flash&bounceBack=/default.asp&p=795)

Why ? Well to further my IT career (which currently only extends as far as a
Cert IV in IT), and also to have a bit of fun while im still relatively young (26).

Any feedback / tips would be greatly appreciated.

Of course this thread may quickly drop to the bottom of the pile into non existance, but hey its worth a shot :D

[Twitch]

Well I'm not in the Navy but I work alongside them as a RAAF CISCON, CIS is a good job, my only real tip would be that once you're finished your training make sure you keep your IT qualifications up because most CIS spend their early time in the navy working comms and the IT course you do during your basic employment training is HP's IT Essentials

[nrejones]

Just be yourself & concentrate. Why navy though?

[Zomgie]

Just be yourself & concentrate. Why navy though?

Well Twitch's job (CISCON) was my first preference, but apparently they are full -_-.

And why? hrm. Basically it seems like an exciting way to propel my IT career, which currently is dead in the water.

I could be wrong :)

[Twitch]

Well Twitch's job (CISCON) was my first preference, but apparently they are full -_-.

And why? hrm. Basically it seems like an exciting way to propel my IT career, which currently is dead in the water.

I could be wrong :)
We are full and it's hell for promotions, especially if you're dodgy like me. The best thing about the Navy or the army though is that if you can prove to defence that an IT course you want to do will help with your knowledge and ablity of the job you're doing you can get them to pay for it. Raaf's the same but just full.

[Zomgie]

We are full and it's hell for promotions, especially if you're dodgy like me. The best thing about the Navy or the army though is that if you can prove to defence that an IT course you want to do will help with your knowledge and ablity of the job you're doing you can get them to pay for it. Raaf's the same but just full.

Mmmm thats very good to know. Iv already mentioned id like to finish my Cisco certification.. and that I was also after my MSCE. Hopefully they take that to heart. If this all happens. (So many ifs.)

Thanks guys for your feedback, please accept this gift of totty: :bikini:

[Jimma]

And why? hrm. Basically it seems like an exciting way to propel my IT career, which currently is dead in the water.
Some day you may wish it was your IT career dead in the water.

[Zomgie]

Some day you may wish it was your IT career dead in the water.

Good point. My Year 12 Economics teacher ofted liked to go over the fact our generation is expected to change careers 3 times in our lifetime.

If that were to happen, well, perhaps skills I learned in the ADF would help with my new career path. (certainly couldnt hurt.)

[Zomgie]

*update* Well I got accepted into the Navy. I probably leave next month (date will be confirmed next Tueday.)

Woot !

[Gronk]

Hey good stuff! I bet you are looking forward to your first turn in the barrel!

You know all those lonely guys at sea for months. So they have this barrel with a hole cut in it and........well you can work it out.

Seriously congrats though!

[Twitch]

Hey good stuff! I bet you are looking forward to your first turn in the barrel!

You know all those lonely guys at sea for months. So they have this barrel with a hole cut in it and........well you can work it out.

Seriously congrats though!
That and all that fun new lingo to learn

[Zomgie]

Well I rang up and found out my enlistment date. Unfortunately the class is full for 8th of May, so I have to wait now until the 5th of June.

Nuts.

[Twitch]

Well I rang up and found out my enlistment date. Unfortunately the class is full for 8th of May, so I have to wait now until the 5th of June.

Nuts.
Be happy you get to wait a while I knwo people that got a days notcie on enlistment.

BTW for informative purposes I'm not sure if it's still the go but when I was at HMAS Cerberus the recruits were not allowed porn.

[Scumbag]

I once considering joining up in the field of IT before I landed myself a public servant position, Reasons I didnt persue it further was my fear of having to undergo the standard Navy training - you know, sleeping in mess halls then having a general scream in your face at 5am to get up do 50 pushups, make your bed, eat your porridge then go on a 20 km run. That, and the possibility of being sent to a war.

Is it really like that ?

[Twitch]

I once considering joining up in the field of IT before I landed myself a public servant position, Reasons I didnt persue it further was my fear of having to undergo the standard Navy training - you know, sleeping in mess halls then having a general scream in your face at 5am to get up do 50 pushups, make your bed, eat your porridge then go on a 20 km run. That, and the possibility of being sent to a war.

Is it really like that ?
There is early morning PT but none of the shit you see on the movies and it's usually a leading seaman yelling at you or in my case a corporal

[Zomgie]

BTW for informative purposes I'm not sure if it's still the go but when I was at HMAS Cerberus the recruits were not allowed porn.

No porn or wife action for 11 weeks ? Damn, by the 10th week the boys are going to start to look pretty.

[Farnk]

Best of Luck Zomgie!
I've got a few mates who spent time as pussers and wingnuts and it did set them up career wise. None of them is doing anything like their original job now, but it gave them some structure and direction. Not to mention a hell of a good time! (that's if half the stories are true..)

Years back, my original career choice was to get my commerical chopper pilot's ticket. Even though there was civilian training out there, no-one was accepting people. When I made enquiries they all told me to join Defence and get trained that way. Turned out that most prospective employers wanted ex-defence pilots anyway.

Oh well.

[Kehly]

Congratulations on being accepted, when do you head down to Cerberus?

My brother is in his 4th year, currently on HMAS Sydney as a Combat Systems Operator and having an absolute ball. He is already planning on Navy as career, following in Dad's footsteps. Dad was 14 when he joined and is now Director of Maritime Support for Defence and doing pretty well for himself. Many fond memories myself growing up in and around the bases :)

[Zomgie]

Congratulations on being accepted, when do you head down to Cerberus?


5th of June - Im going to need all this time trying to track down and get paperwork proof of my last 10 years of existance >_<. (Damn security precautions)

Glad to hear your brother is enjoying himself. My elder brother joined the army when I was 8, didnt see him much after that hehe.

*update 2-6* Mmm went and had my fitness test today with 5 others. Only one of us didnt pass, the groups only female.

[Looney_Tunes67]

One tip for you from experience....

While I was working for Chubb as an IT Engineer I was ASIO cleared. This allowed me fairly free access to the base. At the same time a very close mate of mine was just finishing his stint and getting ready for his first deployment.

The class went out drinking and several of them did not make curfew, but only by a few minutes. They went through some serious pain for that. Make sure you get back on base on time....I cant stress this enough....

Apart from that, have fun at Cerberus and enjoy the change....

[Zomgie]

Thanks Looney Tunes !

Mmmm, One week to go. Getting excited now =).

[Zomgie]

Hahah its 11pm and I am due to show up at Swanston st at 7am tomorrow for enlistment.

Having a hard time sleeping, grin.

See you all in 3 months =) *waves*

[hooptieride]

Have fun getting inspected every time you leave the base and having to go back to base at 9pm if you want to stay out all night...