Assistant Minister for Defence - First ADF Gap Year participants graduate

Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, together with the Federal Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack, today attended the graduation parade for Air Force recruits participating in the ADF Gap Year program.

“It’s terrific to be here at RAAF Base Wagga today with the Federal Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack, and watch the young Air Force Gap Year participants achieve their first major milestone,” Mr Robert said.

“Today’s graduation represents the end of basic training for the 2015 Air Force Gap Year participants and I wish them well as they are posted around Australia where they will receive further training and cement the skills they have just acquired.”

The ADF Gap Year program provides an exciting opportunity for young Australians, who have finished year 12 or equivalent, to experience 12 months in the military without an obligation to make a longer commitment.

Mr Robert said the ADF Gap Year program was popular among young women and would have more places available in 2016.

“The ADF Gap Year program is particularly popular with young women who represent over a quarter of all ADF Gap Year participants,” Mr Robert said.

“With the 2016 ADF Gap Year program set to expand, this will mean even more opportunities for young women to participate in the program and consider a career in the Australian Defence Force.”

The number of available positions in the ADF Gap Year program will increase from 260 this year to 445 in 2016. This will include 250 positions in Army and 120 positions in Air Force.

For the first time, 75 ADF Gap Year program places will also be available in the Navy.

After graduation, the recruits will be posted to ADF units across the country where they will be immersed in the ADF lifestyle while continuing to learn on the job, develop their skills and be paid a salary of more than $45,000 a year.

The first intake of Army Gap Year participants will graduate on Friday, 3 April.

Media note:

Imagery will be available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20150737

 Media contacts:

Richard Briedis (Minister Robert's Office) (02) 6277 7730 or  0477 391 174

Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999