It is possible for me to join the Australian Army?

Question

I am a person with "permanent resident" status, and I want to join the Australian Army. I had a couple of questions about if I meet the requirements. Basically, I understand that everyone must go through security vetting before allowed to join.

I have never done any drugs, but when I was young and stupid (growing up in America), I got picked up for "Possession of Marijuana/Paraphernalia" because I was riding in a car which was police pulled over, and he found it in a "common area" (center console, in a bag, with me having no knowledge of it). I wasn't convicted, and I am not sure I was charged, because I went to a meeting where they said "we have lack of evidence of involvement". Never went to court, or saw a judge, through the whole process.

Either way, will this one-time thing jam me up, and bar me from service?

If it helps, the jobs I saw that I liked were "rifleman" and "commando".

Answer 1

Australian Permanent Residence is sufficient, though you will have to sign an undertaking stating you will accept citizenship within a number of years.

If you were never convicted or charged, it shouldn't be a problem. The Psychologist interviewing me for enlistment even seemed surprised that I said I'd never experimented with marijuana - supposedly a lot of Australian youths try it out at least once in their lives.

Criminal convictions wouldn't necessarily bar an applicant either - they just need to give a decent explanation. What they won't tolerate is finding out an applicant has been dishonest about something.

The Infantry Battalions get more recruits than they need these days, so getting in may be difficult. Word has it, the Direct-Entry Commando scheme is being discontinued for the timebeing. But give it a go anyway, and you may find the other combat jobs to be of interest - especially the Armoured Corps and Artillery.

Answer 2

Listen to the Bloke above me he knows EXACTLY what he's on about, and i agree with him, and the direct entry scheme for SF selection aint working anymore because there is only 9% worth of applicants passing and the ADF says thats not acceptable,

i found this out from my recruiter a couple of weeks ago and posted it on here to let people know because it has only been discontinued like a month or 2 ago.

im joining as a rifleman and am waiting for Assessment,

but be honest, i tried weed to and i actually have been to court for sumthing a bit more serious than marijuana and im still getting in as ar as i know, once you sign that line then you are property of the Government and they will know everything about you.

good on ya mate i mite see u in there

Answer 3

if you are an australian citizen, i dont see any problem.