What It’s Really Like Joining the Air Force Gap Year Program: Tara’s Story

The Air Force Gap Year Program gives young Australians the chance to step into military life without locking into a long-term contract. It’s a chance to “try before you buy.”

But what’s it actually like?

In this Tactical Career Chat, I spoke with Tara, who enlisted at 18 into the Royal Australian Air Force through the Gap Year Program in Aviation Operations. From waiting years for her application to be processed, to the shock of basic training, to finding her place in uniform, her journey offers a real look into what it takes.

From Dream to Enlistment

Tara’s Air Force dream started at age seven, when her dad took her to an air show in Townsville. From that day, she was hooked.

“From that moment on, after watching the F-18s, I knew — that’s what I’m doing.”

She applied for Pilot and Mission Aircrew roles, with the Gap Year Program as a backup. When those first preferences didn’t come through, she fell back on that third option — and soon discovered it was far more rewarding than she expected.

A Long Road to Wearing the Uniform

Tara first applied in 2021 while still in Year 10. But it wasn’t until March 2025 that she finally enlisted.

Recruiting delays and lost paperwork made the process drag out far longer than she imagined. There were months where she doubted if it would ever happen.

“There was definitely doubt because it was stagnant for about eight months. But once it all came through, it was worth the wait.”

That resilience carried her into training.

The Shock of Basic Training

Arriving at 1RTU (the Air Force Recruit Training Unit) brought a wake-up call. The first night gave recruits a false sense of comfort — phones, civilian clothes, and relative freedom. But the second morning told a different story.

“We thought we had another hour of sleep, and then at 5:30am the corporals were banging on the doors. Big shock to the system.”

From that point, it was full throttle. Marching to the mess, ironing uniforms late into the night, drill practice, PT sessions, and brief after brief.

By week three, Tara faced her first fitness test. By week five, she was running in boots, going through the gas chamber, and handling weapons at the range.

Through it all, she learned the power of teamwork — from ironing barter systems to helping each other prepare for weapons tests.

The Fitness Reality

Like most applicants, Tara thought the PFA (Pre-entry Fitness Assessment) was the benchmark. She soon realised it was just the entry ticket.

“They tell you what it takes to get in, but they don’t tell you the standards once you’re in.”

Inside training, the PFT (Physical Fitness Test) set a much higher standard. Push-ups, sit-ups, running — all at a tougher level.

With help from the Fit For Service Training Plan, Tara pushed past the minimums. By week four of basic training she was smashing the beep test four levels above the entry standard, and she passed her first official PFT on the first attempt.

👉 Read more: New RAAF Physical Fitness Test Standards

Life in the Gap Year Program

After basic training, Tara moved into her condensed Initial Employment Training for aviation operations. She got a glimpse into how Air Base Operations Centres function — scheduling missions, managing deployments, and seeing how squadrons work together.

It was a true taste of Air Force life — without the long-term contract.

Lessons Learned

The biggest growth for Tara wasn’t just fitness. It was people.

• Communication: “I used to overthink approaching people. Now I can walk up to anyone and talk.”

• Teamwork: “You can’t do it all on your own. You have to rely on your course mates.”

• Leadership & followership: Knowing when to step up and when to support others.

Her proudest moment? Completing the obstacle course after field phase — tired, dirty, and still pushing through.

Tara’s Advice for Applicants

For anyone considering the Gap Year Program, Tara’s advice is straightforward:

• Stay consistent with fitness. Even if you’re only running 500 metres, build on it. Small gains add up.

• Don’t drop training before enlistment. Stay sharp but avoid overdoing it.

• Keep your mind active. Prepare for the flood of information at basic training.

• Lean on your team. Success in the ADF is never an individual effort.

👉 Read more: Beep Test Mindset Hacks: How to Push Past Your Limits

Final Thoughts

Tara’s story shows the reality of the Air Force Gap Year Program: the delays, the challenges, and the rewards. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.

If you’re considering the ADF Gap Year, the best place to start is with what you can control — your fitness and your mindset. Build them now, and you’ll step into training ready to succeed.

👉 Start your prep here: Fit For Service Training Plan

And if you’d like to hear more journeys like Tara’s, check out the full Tactical Career Chat Playlist here: YouTube Playlist