After nearly 2 years I am stiil trying to join ARES it really seems a lottery if Manpower just put your application on hold until you qualify for citizenship or not.

I was knocked back for RA Sigs as you need citizenship for that. I was asked change my trade preference, so I chose Combat Engineer. After 5 months of tumbleweed blowing down the street I was told that trade was full and that I needed to choose something else. This is bollocks of course, as no ARES units in Canberra are brimming over, or so I am reliably informed.

I have now put down Cavalry Scout or Gunner. I am told there will be no movement until March.

The best bit is that every time I change trade Manpower feel that they need to check back to the UK for my service records. Just in case my previous experience has morphed into Fighter Pilot, ATO or MO, I suppose.

I am hanging in with a morbid sense of curiousity to see happens next, but no real expectation that I will be accepted. I reckon I will have to wait out until I qualify for citizenship. Its a way off!

^ It's all to do with what time of the month the recruiting agency is. As you initially deal with the 'call centre' and remember it's a civvie agency that was awarded the contract to the lowest bidder, so 'their' skill sets are next to zero. A case of just keep pestering them, or go and see your Federal member of parliarment.

Originally Posted by beagleboy

^ It's all to do with what time of the month the recruiting agency is. As you initially deal with the 'call centre' and remember it's a civvie agency that was awarded the contract to the lowest bidder, so 'their' skill sets are next to zero. A case of just keep pestering them, or go and see your Federal member of parliarment.

I'll give it a go!

My frustration lies mainly with the fact that every unit I visit has been very welcoming and they seem like good blokes, and girls. But ADF recruiting seems a nightmare. I need now to vist another two units and see if they will have me. Cheers.

If you are being 'dicked' about, and I'll put the caveat here that your not a total tool, then just go straight to your Federal member and advise him/her of your frustrations by DFR. err.......you may want to have dates/times/names if possible, politicians are fuckwits and they don't like being made to look even more of a fuckwit if they don't have all the facts.

Directory.gov.au

Subject to beagleboy's caveat, a well drafted letter here might yield results rather than going to a Member of Parliament.

Thanks for the advice Fellas. I'll give it a go.