Joining Infantry as a Female in the ADF: Fenella’s Story

When you think about joining the Army as a female, especially in a role like infantry, plenty of doubts and questions come up. Am I fit enough? Can I handle Kapooka? How will I balance family life with training?

To answer those questions, I sat down with Fenella — a registered nurse, single mum of two, and now an Army Reserve infantry soldier. Her journey from making the decision to enlist, tackling Kapooka, and parading with her unit offers valuable insight for anyone preparing to join the Australian Defence Force.

Life Before Enlisting

Before the Army, Fenella was already busy: working as a nurse, raising two boys, and training at the gym. But the idea of joining the ADF kept coming back. With support from her uncle (a full-time soldier) and friends in the military, she finally decided to take the leap when she was at her fittest and had the right support around her.

Her advice here is simple: don’t wait until “next year.” If you’re fit, motivated, and life allows it, now might be your best chance.

Deciding on Infantry and the Reserves

Fenella chose the Reserves because relocating her kids wasn’t an option. For her, this offered the best of both worlds — maintaining her nursing career while also stepping into a completely different challenge.

At an ADF open day, she was drawn to the infantry. “The boys just sold it the best,” she laughed. Weapons, field work, and the physical challenge sealed the deal.

This is worth remembering: different corps will appeal for different reasons. If you want something totally different from your day-to-day life, infantry is about as far removed as it gets.

Recruitment Process: How Long Does It Take?

One of the most common questions from applicants is about timelines. For Fenella:

• July – started the online application.

• Nov–Jan – psych, interview, and medical assessments.

• March – completed her Pre-Fitness Assessment (PFA).

• April – enlisted.

• August – went to Kapooka.

Once the process kicked off, things moved quickly. The biggest delay was just waiting for paperwork and case manager changes at the start.

👉 For more on why passing the PFA matters, check out ADF PFA Standards: Why the Minimum Isn’t Enough.

Preparing for Kapooka

Fenella trained with Outperform Fitness for about eight months before leaving. Her main concern was fitness — particularly running. She’d always preferred lifting and endurance over speed.

By the time she got to Kapooka, she was confident in her strength and conditioning. “I never doubted my body,” she said. The preparation also made the endless marching (30,000 steps a day on average) much easier.

If you’re preparing, don’t just focus on reps. Build strength and conditioning that carries over to tasks like pack marches, obstacle courses, and casualty drags. This is why I always say: Push-Up Progress Isn’t About Reps — It’s About Strength.

Arriving at Kapooka

From the moment you step off the plane in Sydney, it’s real. There’s no easing into it. You’re met by Army staff, bussed to Wagga, and within hours you’re standing in lines, carrying suitcases in your left hand, and trying not to make mistakes.

Fenella described it as “baptism by fire.” Everyone is nervous, trying not to laugh, and unsure what’s coming next. By the end of the first day, the reality of training has well and truly hit.

Life at Kapooka

Kapooka is three and a half weeks for reservists, but every day is full.

• Wake up at 6am.

• Classes, drills, and fieldwork all day.

• Study until 9:30pm.

• Minimal sleep in the first week.

She recalls moments of doubt, missing her kids, and the stress of constant orders. But she also remembers the laughs — like a mate accidentally checking if his hand was in the right position on parade after a corporal’s comment.

Those moments of humour and teamwork are what get people through.

Female in Infantry: Breaking Barriers

Being one of only a handful of women in her platoon, Fenella knew she had to prove herself. “No one’s going to carry my stuff for me,” she said. “If you’re a female in a male-dominated role, you need to be able to do the workload.”

That’s the mindset anyone — male or female — should take into training. You’ll be expected to perform at the same level, so prepare accordingly.

Key Lessons from Fenella’s Journey

• Support helps. Surround yourself with people who push you forward.

• Fitness gives confidence. Arrive at Kapooka knowing your body can handle it.

• It’s more mental than physical. Doubts are normal — lean on your platoon.

• Just do it. If you’re on the fence, stop waiting. Apply and back yourself.

If you’re nervous about the beep test, read my Beep Test Training Guide to start preparing now.

Final Thoughts

Kapooka isn’t meant to be easy. It’s designed to test you, strip you back, and rebuild you into a soldier who can work as part of a team. Fenella came out of it with new skills, lifelong friends, and the confidence of knowing she could handle infantry as a female.

If you want more insights like this, check out the Tactical Career Chats YouTube Playlist where I sit down with men and women who’ve been through the process and share their honest experiences.