Rhys van Haren recommends the Australian Defence Force gap year program by '110 per cent'

Rhys van Haren, from Newcastle, has spent most of this year as an aviation support technician with majority of his training completed at Wagga’s RAAF Base. 

The 19-year-old was among 570 people aged between 17 to 24 in the gap year program, with 140 in the Air Force service.

“I have always wanted to fly a military jet and when I was in school I applied for a flying role in the RAAF and as an aircraft mechanic as a backup through Defence Force Recruiting,” Aircraftsman van Haren said. 

“I was successful for the trade but not the flying job due to the high expectations and I told them that flying was my dream, so my assessor offered the gap year program. 

“I was told the program would benefit my chances in trying again for a flying position as well as getting experience in the trade role.” 

Aircraftsman van Haren said he was emailed a letter of offer for the gap year program in November 2017 and was told the aircraft mechanic course had a long waiting list. 

“I didn’t want to stay at home and work and I knew if I did this gap year I would knock off some of the training and they would take me on my first year out of school,” he said. 

Aircraftsman van Haren spent January to March in recruit training in Wagga and then a further three-and-a-half months to fulfil his role as a support technician at his unit in number 35 Squadron RAAF Base Richmond. 

“The first two weeks were very intense trying to adapt to a military lifestyle, but I had no regrets and had the motivation to push through,” he said. 

“I have made some really memorable experiences this year and I’ve been on trips around Australia, like Adelaide, Darwin, the Gold Coast and also in regional NSW areas. 

“It’s been awesome fun and there’s great camaraderie at the squad and we’ve established great contacts in our unit.” 

Aircraftsman van Haren said he would “absolutely” recommend this program to school leavers or those with a passion for the military. 

“We learnt a lot about ourselves and our capabilities, we learnt difficult aspects, technicians within the RAAF and once you’ve got your foot in the door, regardless of the trade, the opportunities are endless. 

“It’s been 110 per cent and I definitely want to continue on with my trade and follow my passion to one day fly a fast military jet.” 

Squadron Leader Emma Kilpatrick, who is based in Canberra, said the gap year program gives an opportunity to join the ADF for up to 12 months in the Navy, Army or Air Force. 

“Any young Australian between the ages of 17 and 24 have the opportunity to try out different roles, including administration, artillery, logistics and air-based projections,” Squadron Leader Kilpatrick said. 

“It gives a great opportunity for young members to see different areas of Australia, but they have no obligation to stay and out of this year’s program we have about 75 per cent coming across to the permanent Air Force.” 

Squadron Leader Kilpatrick said the program can be challenging for young members who might have just left home. 

“If member haven’t had military experience it can be challenging and it’s daunting but talking to participants, they say the first two to three weeks are the hardest,” she said. 

“The main trend we’ve seen from this year is just those first few weeks where some have realised this lifestyle isn’t for them and they want to pursue something else, like a second-round university offer. 

“We’ve seen an increase to the Air Force number and it has been capped to accommodate 170 people.”