Mitch’s Kapooka Experience and Key Lessons

Introduction

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s actually like to go through Army Reserves basic training — from the day you apply right through to Kapooka — this chat with Mitch gives a real, unfiltered look at the process.

Mitch recently joined the Army Reserves as an Infantry soldier, and in this Tactical Career Chat, he walks through his journey — from deciding to enlist, preparing his fitness, and overcoming setbacks, to the key moments and lessons that shaped his time at Kapooka.

Whether you’re just thinking about applying or already training for enlistment, his story highlights what to expect, what to prepare for, and what he’d do differently next time.

Deciding to Enlist: A Long-Time Goal

Like a lot of recruits, Mitch had wanted to join the Army since he was a kid. But after starting an apprenticeship at 17 and getting a hand tattoo, he had to put the idea on hold — at the time, tattoos on visible areas were a dealbreaker.

When Defence relaxed its tattoo rules, that door opened again. He threw himself into the process, but like many first-time applicants, he started training the wrong way — running hard, every day, until he broke down.

“I went from never running to running as much as I could every single day and just absolutely broke myself. That’s when I came to you for help — I needed structure.”

That’s when he joined Outperform Fitness and got on a structured training program that actually built him up rather than broke him down.

The Recruitment Process and Waiting Game

Mitch’s application moved quickly — only a few months from start to Defence interviews. But there was a catch: no Infantry Reserve spots available.

Rather than jumping at another role just to get in, he made the smart call to wait it out.

“They said there were spots in Armour if I wanted to go Armour. But I wanted Infantry. If I was going to do it, I wanted to do it properly. So I waited.”

A few months later, the call came — a position opened with 5/6 RVR, and Mitch enlisted.

That patience paid off. His advice to others: if you’ve got your heart set on a particular role, wait for the right one. Don’t rush into something that doesn’t align with your goals.

Training Preparation: Building the Base Before Kapooka

By the time Mitch left for Kapooka, he’d been training with Outperform Fitness for around 10 months. That gave him the conditioning and structure to handle the course easily.

“Any PT we did, I had no dramas at all. If I hadn’t trained properly before, I would’ve struggled for sure.”

He also noticed a huge difference compared to others who arrived underprepared. Those who hadn’t built that foundation struggled early — especially in team PT and obstacle course events.

If you’re unsure how to start your prep, check out our Fit For Service Training Plan — the same structured approach Mitch used to get ready.

First Day at Kapooka: Controlled Chaos

When asked what that first day was like, Mitch laughed.

“Nuts. It was so full on. Everyone was super chill on the bus… and then we got off, and it all kicked off.”

Straight away, it was orders, yelling, forming up, and trying to make sense of everything at once. Even when you expect it, that first day hits hard — and that’s the point. It’s designed to test how you respond to pressure.

Standout Moments: Shooting, First Aid, and the Obstacle Course

Some of Mitch’s favourite parts of training were the practical ones — shooting, combat fitness, and trauma first aid.

He especially loved the EF88 weapons training and close combat shooting, thanks to his confidence around firearms.
But even if you’ve never handled a weapon before, Kapooka teaches everything step-by-step, from drills to catchwords to live-fire exercises.

He also rated the trauma first aid module highly:

“It was super involved. You repeat it over and over, until you get it. I failed the first couple of attempts just from rushing — but once I slowed down and focused, nailed it.”

And the final PT and obstacle course?
Gruelling, dirty, and exactly what he signed up for.

“Just getting stuck in — leopard crawls, monkey crawls, carrying stretchers — it was tough, but I loved it.”

Lessons from Kapooka: Mindset Over Muscle

Mitch’s biggest takeaway wasn’t about fitness — it was about mindset.

“Be dumb enough to be told what to do, but smart enough to actually get it done.”

That attitude helped him adapt, learn fast, and handle the stress that comes with training. The recruits who struggled most weren’t the unfit ones — they were the ones who couldn’t take feedback or didn’t work as a team.

Why the Army Reserves Was the Right Fit

Mitch chose the Army Reserves over full-time service because it gave him balance — he could serve, train, and develop while still supporting his long-term relationship and civilian career.

“It wasn’t fair to just leave my partner behind. The Reserves let me do what I’ve always wanted, without giving up everything else.”

He also highlighted the opportunities that come with Reserve service — deployments, disaster relief, and courses throughout the year.

What He’d Tell New Applicants

His advice to anyone preparing for Kapooka or thinking about applying:

• Don’t wing your fitness. Get structured training early.

• Be patient. Wait for the role you really want.

• Respect the process. You’ll be pushed hard, but it’s worth it.

• Pack smart. Take an iron and a lighter — you’ll thank him later.

And above all:

“Just do it. It’s so worth it. Even the hard parts — I look back and loved every bit of it.”

Final Thoughts

Mitch’s story sums up what it takes to succeed at Kapooka and beyond — structure, patience, humility, and a willingness to work.

If you’re preparing for enlistment, start with a clear plan. Learn what’s expected, build your fitness base, and get your mindset right.

To get started:

• Fit For Service Training Plan – structured training to prepare for enlistment and Kapooka.

• ADF Beep Test Training Guide – learn how to train smarter for your PFA.

• Tactical Career Chat YouTube Playlist – more real stories from ADF members and recruits.