RM87 said:
Gday everyone,
Im just looking for someone who has actaully been to Kapooka and completed their Basic Training.
If this is you would you please be able to post how it all goes along from start to finish. eg. What happens when you get there ? What happens each week, morning etc ? Is it more physical in each week, eg. Is it more PT orienated in the first weeks or more of a teaching phase ? and anything else you can think of.
I have read what happens in their listings however i have been told different. I just want to settle my mind lol its going into overdrive thinking.
Aussie Digger ? I know you know what happens lol, Any input mate ?
Thanks fellas.
It's changed quite a bit since I went through Kapooka (in 1994, when it was 13 weeks long, as opposed to 6) however the basics are the same. You march in, complete your admin (ie: course introductions, initial issue of kit, innoculations, med checks, introductions with Section commander, platoon Sgt, Plt commander etc). This was week 1 for me, it's probably a bit shorter (ie: first couple of days) now.
After that it's a mix of lessons and PT. Lessons on Army history, protocols etc, drill, weapons training, basic drills (ie: "immediate actions on contact" etc) field craft, navigation, first aid, "laws of armed conflict", radio theory basics includng "phonetics" etc, introductions to section level patrolling, range shoots, introduction to using "ninox" NVG kit, learning the basics of camouflage and concealment, (shadow, shine, shape, silhouette, sound) etc. PT will include various things like runs (starting reasonably easier and progressively becoming harder through the course), "RDJ's" (run, dodge, jump), swim tests.
You will do a "bush" phase towards the end of the course, where you'll be shown exciting things like erecting a hoochie, dining on 24 hour individual rat packs (the "C" pack was my favourite), further lessons on patrolling, constructing defensive positions (ie: digging weapons pits etc), navigation, morning routine (ie: standing to, "quiet time" etc) and all the other bits and pieces you need to know to "live" in the bush (learning how to operate there comes later).
At the end of the course, you will prepare for your march out. This will include practicing your drill repetitively so you don't embarass Army (and yourself) in front of family and friend, higher ranking officers etc.
Each morning, you will start with a parade in front of your section commander. You will then SS&S at a rapid rate and move on to your daily routine. PT wil normally be conducted in the morning (when it's coolest), however it will depend on your timetable exactly when you do everything (as EVERY platoon has to be fitted in to every "stand" or lesson).
Therefore you might find yourself conducting PT a bit later in the day. I'm fairly certain that you will do PT everyday (we did) but that might have changed with the condensed timetable. I'm certain the PT will become progressively harder as the course progresses. Depending on your fitness level, you may find PT relatively easy at first as it's designed to train "everyone".
Initially you will probably find yourself going in to "information overload". This is done for a specific reason. It is designed to convert civilians into soldiers. At least, soldiers at the beginning of their careers. It is designed to take you from a "civilian's" mindset, into one that "works" for army. You need to be able to absorb a lot of information, "adapt" to Army's way of thinking and "over-coming" any prec-conceived notions of your own about the way things should be done, all in a matter of 6 weeks. As such the pace will be fairly hectic and a certain amount of pressure will be placed on you (to perform). Your instructors may use such tactics as talking up an operational deployment at some point during your course, to make you "focus" on the tasks at hand, ie: "you could be at war tomorrow, so you need to concentrate and learn NOW"...
Learn to take these things in your stride, and absorb the knowledge that your "secco" has. Even if you don't agree with him (or her) or personally don't like them, try and truly understand what they are trying to teach you. Some people fall into the trap of allowing differing personalities to effect their learning. Bear in mind, at the end of the day, you are there to learn, not question. The course is designed for you to pass, not fail. Do as you are instructed. Learn all they have time to teach.
Other than that. Just hook in mate. Your instructors place more value on effort, than the results you achieve. If you absolutely work your a*se off and achieve a pass mark, who can ask for more? It's if you're "jack" or being "pea-hearted" or thinking you know better than they do, that you will find yourself in trouble...
Other than this advice, I can't be more precise about what YOU will do. Every person has a slightly different experience. The basics are the same for everyone however, and remember that thousands if not tens of thousands have passed through Kapooka successfully. Why would you be any different?
