ADF Interview Questions

Initial Military Training Location, Duration

Course: New Entry Sailor Course (NESC)
Duration: 10 weeks
Location: HMAS Cerberus, Vic

Initial Military Training Course Content

NESC Course

• Physical fitness: General fitness and the Navy swim test.

• Military life: Drill and ceremonial procedures.

• Specialty skills: Weapons training, workplace safety, first aid and sailing.

• Navy skills: Seamanship, corrosion control, survival at sea and fire and flood control.

What do you think will be some of the challenges faced at Initial Military Training?

• Transitioning from civilian life to Military Life

• The training regime

• Being away from my partner and family.

How will you overcome these challenges?

Mentally reminding myself that my partner and family are supporting me and rooting me from afar but also reminding myself that being in recruit school is motivation enough to push through.

Initial Employment Training Location and Duration

Course: Cryptologic Initial Employment Training
Duration: 12 weeks
Location: Maritime Intelligence and Information Warfare School, HMAS Watson, Sydney, NSW

Initial Employment Training Course Content

You'll be taught skills so you can contribute to intelligence teams and learn to support the Navy’s intelligence functions at sea or ashore. Once you've consolidated your skills training, you’ll undertake specialisation training at Defence School of Signals Watsonia, Vic to stream as a Cyber Operator.

How does this defer from IMT?

• Teaches you the technical and operational skills required for my chosen role

• Hands on work or classroom environment for simulations and technical training

Postings

Sydney, Canberra or Adelaide

Why do you wish to be in the ADF?

I wish to join the ADF because I am deeply motivated by the opportunity to serve and protect Australia while contributing to national security in a meaningful way. I am inspired by the sense of purpose that comes with being part of a team dedicated to defending Australia's interests and values.

Why do you want to be in Cyber Operator?

Cyber operator’s works in highly classified environments, it is something that has always appealed to me. I like to investigate and analyse. and will be using a wide range of specialised equipment to problem solve and to prepare and present briefs. My attention to detail will significantly be of importance in this role.

Why do you wish to join the Navy?

I wish to join the Navy because I am driven by the opportunity to serve my country while being part of a team that operates in diverse and challenging environments. The Navy offers you the chance to be part of world events that will not only change my life but the lives of others. i believe this service will push me the hardest and i think it is where i could provide most contributions to the ADF.

What are some of the responsibilities of the service you are applying for?

The Navy is responsible for defending Australia, its coastline, its shipping lanes and its citizens. They also protects our waters from illegal fishing, drug importation and illegal immigration.

What are some of the domestic operations/local tasks the ADF has been involved in?

• Operation Resolute - Protecting Australia's borders and offshore maritime interests through surveillance and response in the maritime approaches to Australia.

• Operation Southern Discovery - Is an enduring peace-time activity in support of the Australian Antarctic Division and the Australian Antarctic Program (AAP). It includes Australia's national interests, which are based on the region's scientific, environmental, strategic and economic importance.

What are some of the actions/activities the ADF has been involved in overseas?

• Operation Beech - is Defence's support to the Australian Government response to the Hamas-Israel conflict.

• Operation Fortitude - Is the Australian Defence Force contribution to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force between Israel and Syria.

Location of bases/assets/equipment

HMAS Creswell: Jervis Bay Jervis Bay Territory NSW 2540

HMAS Harman: McLachlan St Jerrabombera ACT 2619

Rotary wing: Naval helicopters are used for anti-submarine warfare and search and rescue.

Fleet: Surface ships are used for naval combat and defense and maritime patrol

Subsurface fleet: Submarines are used for stealth operations and reconnaissance

Mine warfare: Mine countermeasures are used for detecting naval mines and ensures safe navigation

Hydrographic: Naval mapping equipment are used for mapping ocean floors and supports submarines

What are the ADF Values?

The ADF values of Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity, and Excellence would guide me in both my personal and professional life.

• Service – Putting the mission and the team above personal interests, being committed to protecting Australia and its people, and working selflessly to contribute to national security.

• Courage – Having the moral and physical strength to do what is right, even in difficult or dangerous situations. It means speaking up when something is wrong.

• Respect – Treating everyone with dignity, valuing diversity, and fostering teamwork. Respect is essential for maintaining discipline, morale, and unity within the Defence Force.

• Integrity – Acting honestly and ethically at all times, maintaining accountability, and being trustworthy in all aspects of service. It’s about doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.

• Excellence – Striving for continuous improvement, professionalism, and the highest standards in training, operations, and personal conduct. Excellence ensures the effectiveness and credibility of the Defence Force.

Work ethics, teamwork experience, resilience

• Work ethics: At Vodafone, I stepped up in a store manager’s absence, ensuring smooth operations, and taking responsibility for key decisions.

• Teamwork experience: During forensic investigation exercises, I worked with peers to analyze cybersecurity threats, and conducted phishing email investigations.

• Resilience: Balancing full-time work and university studies has required strong resilience, as managing coursework, deadlines, and job responsibilities simultaneously can be demanding.

What is your inital Period of Service

2 - 3 years

What are the ADF Polices and Conditions - Drugs and Alcohol

The ADF do not condone the use of drugs and the misuse of alcohol. If a personnel break the rules it will result in immediate termination.

What are the ADF policies and Conditions - Defence Discipline Act

In addition to civilian law, ADF personnel are subject to military law, with its own discipline system (Courts) and punishments. Defence personnel are legally bound to follow all lawful commands. Such orders could require personnel to live work and fight anywhere in Australia or overseas at short notice.

What are the ADF Policies and Conditions - Workplace behaviour

• Maintaining appropriate workplace behaviour and treating everyone with respect and fairness is essential to achieving this.

• Members must be responsible, accountable and considerate of the consequences of their actions, attitude and behaviour towards others at all times.

• ADF members found to be involved in unacceptable behaviour will be held responsible.

What are the ADF Policies and Conditions - IMPS

The Initial Period of Service is a condition of service for appointment/enlistment in the ADF that requires the enlisted member to undertake a minimum period of service. The IMPS may vary depending on the job and avenue of entry. For myself it is a minimum of 2 - 3 years.

What are the ADF Policies and Conditions - Unrestricted Service

This means that all Military personnel must be available at all times. They must be ready to be moved or deployed across Australia and overseas. Defence members may be required to work long hours, shift work and irregular hours or a combination of these.

What are the ADF Policies and Conditions - Combat Role

A combat role is where I will be handling weaponry and specialized tools. I will have access to train with advanced technology that others are not easily accessible for the public.

Navy Swim Test

• 3M safety jump

• 10M under water swim

• 50M swim using survival stroke

• Float for 15 minutes

Course Content - Basic Seamanship

Covers all basic Seamanship:
Boat Work
Anchor Work
Helmanship
Ship Husbandry and corrosion control
General- Ships Organisation, routines and survival at sea.

Duties of Cyber Operator role

• network forensics

• conducting network vulnerability assessments

• identifying cyberspace threats

What can you expect to be your day-today role once posted to your unit?

Due to intelligence being highly classified i was unable to find much information surrounding what exactly this would be like. However, from what I've been able to find it would consist of going to work, handing over to the next watch, and hitting a PT session.

What are the Navy's Values?

Honour, Honesty, Courage, Integrity and Loyalty.

Fitness Assessment

Run 2.4km in 13 minutes