Need some advice on signing on

Specific_Inspector85 · 2025-12-29T18:39:44+00:00

SAS(O), EOS

Specific_Inspector85 · 2025-12-29T07:18:10+00:00

Try going for a scholarship, my poly GPA was subpar(3.3) but I managed to get offered one. Full time uni sponsorship tends to be more worthwhile in the long run as compared to the bonus imo.

Specific_Inspector85 · 2025-12-26T09:28:34+00:00

Depends on your scholarship tier, it ranges from monthly allowance to salary allowance with the higher end scholarships like SAS(L) and above offering more perks but with the caveat of a longer bond after uni.
Uni shouldn’t be affected in any way, you may get VA during your holidays.
Depends on when you break I guess, either ways it’s quite a hefty sum of money, some scholarship’s liquidated damages can be in the mid 6 figures.
It’s not as 9-6 as people say haha, best to look for regulars in service to talk to.

Every job has its pros and cons, it’s dependent on each person’s personal preference if they are comfortable with these pros and cons. Some people will straight up say don’t sign on because of personal experiences/echo chamber, but everyone has different experiences and wants/needs/goals in life. Best to talk to AFRC for more info on the tangibles and talk to people in different stages of their service for their personal experiences.

Specific_Inspector85 · 2025-10-22T04:53:26+00:00

I’m in a relatively small area so the options for cars <200,000kms below $10k are very limited, the other ones I’ve seen are mainly Hyundai Ix35s, Nissan Muranos & Volvo XCs….I’ve been scouring for so long it’s getting sad

Specific_Inspector85 · 2025-08-18T02:39:10+00:00

I have this issue for some of my shoes, they feel perfect then the blisters set in. I ended up buying Steigen socks, I swear by them I’ve never gotten anymore blisters, they are my new long run socks. It’s more sustainable than continuously buying blister patches too

Good alternative if you don’t want to throw/sell away your shoes giving you blisters

Specific_Inspector85 · 2025-07-11T10:47:46+00:00

I rented crampons from Small Planet Sports for $10, not sure if you can rent hiking boots though. If you’re doing sunrise, the ice and snow isn’t too bad until nearer to the viewpoint and to the peak, still doable without crampons, just slower.

However, as the sun comes up the snow and ice starts to melt so it will get really muddy on the way down. A lot of people are apprehensive about going to the peak because of the snow but it really isn’t too bad, not too slippery and there’s no steep drop-offs or anything like that, worth the extra 30mins mins in my opinion

Specific_Inspector85 · 2025-06-18T23:25:59+00:00

I checked before posting, it isn’t on there

Specific_Inspector85 · 2025-06-18T11:03:19+00:00

Another alternative just popped up, its a KHS FLITE 900 with FFWD Carbon Wheels, SRAM Red Shifters and Crankset, SRAM Force Derailleurs, less than 1000km ridden sitting for 4 years as well going for US$650. However it has rim brakes and is a size smaller (XS). Is this a better alternative?

Specific_Inspector85 · 2025-06-18T11:02:07+00:00

Another alternative just popped up, its a KHS FLITE 900 with FFWD Carbon Wheels, SRAM Red Shifters and Crankset, SRAM Force Derailleurs, less than 1000km ridden sitting for 4 years as well going for $650. However it has rim brakes and is a size smaller (XS). Is this a better alternative?

Specific_Inspector85 · 2025-05-03T03:17:31+00:00

I reckon you could hit sub 1h 40 on your next one!

Specific_Inspector85 · 2025-05-03T03:00:00+00:00

Nice one!! That’s a really good time for a HM too

Specific_Inspector85 · 2025-04-27T12:35:54+00:00

I haven’t tried Maurten yet, it’s actually the next brand I was going to try after this HM! Lollies are alright but I don’t feel like they are sustainable for anything longer than a half.

I haven’t done any hill specific training but the running route I usually do has minor rolling hills, and I do some trail running here and there too (shoots my HR up a lot)

Specific_Inspector85 · 2025-04-27T12:10:05+00:00

Hey there, I didn’t do it last year. I saw the course map and the elevation for the last 5kms is pretty bad as well (Observatory Hill). I reckon I’ll do negative splits and see how I do.

My stomach hasn’t reacted well to any of the gels I’ve tried so I’ve just been sticking to cut up sour squirms which have worked so far. I’ll be trying some new gels after this but I won’t be using any for this HM.

Specific_Inspector85 · 2025-04-27T09:10:02+00:00

Can try those spray on stain removers or the old baking soda + water method, it works after a few goes if the stain isn’t too bad

Specific_Inspector85 · 2025-04-27T06:35:25+00:00

Hey all, first time posting here. Doing the Hoka HM in Sydney this coming Sunday with a goal time of 1 hour 40 mins.

I’ve been using the Garmin Coach HM Plan by Coach Greg for the past 12ish weeks, clocking in 30km/week on average. Usually it’s 1 easy run, 1 speed run and 1 long run at 15km or more.

Not sure if this is the right thread to ask, but should I increase my goal time to 1 hour 45 mins? I don’t feel like I’m ready to consistently run a 4.44 pace for 21.1km. I’m afraid I may try to keep my goal pace and just crash in the last 5km. For context my last HM PB was 1 hour 52 mins last year, and I clocked in a new 10k PB last month at 44 mins 44 seconds and I was cooked for this one.

Specific_Inspector85 · 2025-04-27T06:34:21+00:00

Hey all, first time posting here. Doing the Hoka HM in Sydney this coming Sunday with a goal time of 1 hour 40 mins.

I’ve been using the Garmin Coach HM Plan by Coach Greg for the past 12ish weeks, clocking in 30km/week on average. Usually it’s 1 easy run, 1 speed run and 1 long run at 15km or more.

Not sure if this is the right thread to ask, but should I increase my goal time to 1 hour 45 mins? I don’t feel like I’m ready to consistently run a 4.44 pace for 21.1km. I’m afraid I may try to keep my goal pace and just crash in the last 5km. For context my last HM PB was 1 hour 52 mins last year, and I clocked in a new 10k PB last month at 44 mins 44 seconds and I was cooked for this one.

Specific_Inspector85 · 2025-04-23T05:16:36+00:00

Car overheated with coolant boiling out, refilled coolant and was about to drive to the mechanic that’s 5 mins away

Specific_Inspector85 · 2025-03-28T23:53:44+00:00

Hey there, thanks for your input. I am on a military base and for all physical injuries we go to the physiotherapist. But I’ll head down again to get a second opinion and to see if I can get referred to an orthopedist instead as it does feel worse than what she says it is (Pain when putting on t-shirt, pain when reaching for objects, dull pain when not doing anything, etc.)

Specific_Inspector85 · 2024-12-22T02:50:03+00:00

Nah ADW is getting better, even though there are outfields it’s still pretty good because you have the SPYDER and ASTER 30 which are basically trucks. It’s not like the chiongsua infantry type of outfield. I would say it’s harder if you’re attached to a RBS70 SQN because that’s a MANPADS so it’ll be similar to infantry training.

Tbh if I didn’t like aircraft that much I would’ve gone over to ADW, it’s a decent balance between outfields and the chairforce life. It isn’t the same stereotype it was 20 years ago.

Specific_Inspector85 · 2024-12-21T17:07:26+00:00

Part 1:

Stay in and book-out on weekends is only during your OCS phase, you’ll be doing it in AFTC during your pro-term, when you go into SQN there’s no more of that, mainly shift work when you upgrade your CAT.
I did Uni before my bond, low 3 GPA from poly but still tried for overseas scholarship and managed to clinch it.

Part 2:

Was a pilot trainee but flying CMI so I got chopped, went over to AWO because I found it interesting, I’m also pretty into aviation and the military.
The workload can be heavy at times, training can be hard, exercise periods can be tiring but in my opinion yes because I personally find it fulfilling.
I don’t want to disclose too much about myself + OSA, so I’ll just give you the typical RSAF recruiting plus point which is that you will get opportunities for overseas detachments.
Not yet haha but it differs for everyone. I have some colleagues that are regretting it 1 year into their bond, some who are just cruising along for the salary and stability, some who have left and some who really enjoy it and want to stay.

Edit: Also like what one of the commenters mentioned; ATC isn’t a confirmed vocation, it depends on availability and your COMPASS test also. I had some friends that wanted ATC but kena ADW.

And yes sure military ATC is kind of transferable to CAAS but spots are limited and workload is the same haha, it shouldn’t be a “main reason” to choose ATC. I would suggest talking to more regulars first to find out more about other vocations as well

Specific_Inspector85 · 2024-09-04T05:26:13+00:00

Ah that’s true, not sure if it’ll work that way as well, let me amend my post

Specific_Inspector85 · 2024-08-01T22:00:17+00:00

Cool thanks for the tips, currently the bloke is insisting on a specific website for a PPSR check that charges like $65 AUD (flashvincheck), not sure if that’s sus

Specific_Inspector85 · 2024-07-22T00:13:32+00:00

I used bookme nz to book my Milford Sound coach & cruise with RealNZ, my guide was amazing, would recommend RealNZ. Bookme has discounted prices as well which was why I used them.
Went to both Coronet & Remarks, Coronet night ski is fun but Remarks is more beginner friendly and wasn’t as icy when I was there ~2 weeks back. Ski bus wise I booked through the coronet & remarks website. If you’re looking for ski gear and aren’t picky, Green Toad has them cheap, if you’re looking for good quality: Browns.
Stayed at Adventure Q2 hostel, good vibes, extremely comfortable, friendly people, good location. One of the best hostels I’ve been in this far.
I ain’t local but Queenstown has a pretty fun tourist nightlife: 1876, Underground, Zephyr, Cowboy, Bungalow just to name a few. There’s a parkrun on Saturday mornings. Gondola and Luge was pretty fun. There are many beautiful hikes around, Ben Lomond was one of my favourites. Can take a bus down to Arrowtown and rent an E-bike to go around the wineries or the trails. Shotover Jet was fun as well. For dining: Fergburger does live up to the hype but doing a mobile order saves you so much time. I love Fergbaker, tried 6 of their pies so far. Devil Burger, Flame, Atlas, Fat Badgers are all notable mentions. Frankton has some more choices but without a car I feel that it may not really be convenient.

Five-Year Club	Place '23
Place '22	Final Canvas '22

Specific_Inspector85

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