A Day in the Life of an Army Recruit

This week, girls around the Gold Coast had the opportunity to experience a day in the life of an army recruit.  Sixteen girls from around the coast went to the Kokoda barracks at Canungra.  Reedy Creek students, Holly Hunt (Year 9) and Montana Ma’aelopa (Year 10) took the opportunity to get to see what life in the defence force would look like.  

The day started for the girls listening to the life stories of a number of women in the Defence Force and the journeys each had taken.  They then had the opportunity to have small group conversations with the defence personnel to ask questions.  In small teams, they then participated in a leadership activity, before being treated to a scrumptious lunch in the officers' mess.  A rare privilege few get to experience.

After lunch the fun began, when the girls got dressed up as an army recruits and participated in a number of army drills and an intensive defence training obstacle course with the defence personnel.  Holly and Montana excelled in these team-building challenges as is evident in the photos.

Defence Force recruiting runs a number of these single-gender events to allow the students to ‘try before they buy’ and help them decide if the Defence Force is a career option for them.  In July Reedy Creek student Mats Schweizer (Year 10)  participated in the boy's day. 

Earlier this year Pimpama student, Lacey Keely (Year 10), and  Reedy Creek student Kari van der Walt (Year 10) also took part in the girl's experience day.  Lacey also accepted an invitation to the celebration of International Women's Day I Can, You Can Women in Defence High Tea at Royal Pines.

Students interested in the Defence Force, but who are unsure what they would be getting into need to consider taking up the various opportunities that the Defence Force offers throughout the year. These range from information sessions to experience days and even 3 - 4 day work experience opportunities at various barracks around Australia.  These are promoted in the school careers newsletter and via email to students.