Average ADF length of service time ?

* NOTE:    ADF “Separation” can be due to a range of different bases on an individual basis:

(A)   IMPS:  In General Enlistment, upon applying and then being accepted into the ADF, a commitment is required to stay with the service for a minimum period of time, called an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS).  IMPS can be from 2 to 14.5 years depending on the role and service.  So separation would be somewhere during this period if desiring to then resign from the ADF;

(B)  Duration of Service: Voluntary separations are most common among those with less than 1 year of service (ADF 2019 statistics = 58%);

(C)  Voluntary Resignation: if enrolled as an officer cadet at Duntroon (which is voluntary), a cadet can resign at anytime, like on the same of arrival, if you quickly realised the place was a farce and wanted out. At ADFA, during Initial Training, cadets can resign at any time within the first two years (for Army/Air Force) or within the first year (for Navy) without having to serve a mandatory minimum period, as the IMPS usually becomes binding from the start of the second or third year of study;

(D)   Forced Resignation:  This was imposed in Julian Knight’s case.  His premediated means to protecting himself from relentless bastardiastion, assaults and battery from senior cadets by purchasing and carrying a personal flick knife off-campus and then his “premptive attack on his lead bully senior cadet at a Canberra Nightclub after midnight didn’t augur well for his graduation prospects from RMC Duntroon.  The RMC Brass basically forced him to resign as an Army Officer Cadet for that attack.  Rules for some.

(E)   AWOL:  Running away mid-course without ADF permission (akin to jumping the fence at anytime and then returning under 30 days, else then risk being ‘DESERTION‘ and subsequently deemed to be rated a ‘Dishonourable Discharge’.  Bastardisation, hazing and fagging can bring on such sentiments and Duntroon is particularly adept at such an assimilation regime.  However, propt voluntary return (not capture by the Military Police), can revoke that slur of Dishonourable Discharge to Honourable Discharge if due respectful protocols are then adhered to by the absconder such as returning and playing by the rules for a day or two to co-operated fulling in an official exit interview before the Brass and formal discharge process;

(F)   Retirement:  For the broader ADF, the compulsory retirement age is 60 for Regulars (permanent forces) and 65 for Reservists, assuming fitness and medical requirements are met;

(G)   Family/Lifestyle: Seeking stability, reducing time away from family, and wanting flexibility.

(H)   Disciplinary Action: Positive tests for prohibited substances or misconduct – eg: the 2013 Skype Scandal at ADFA.

(I)   On medical health grounds, including poor fitness.  This is an involuntary;

(J)   On mental health grounds.   A medical discharge on mental health grounds in the ADF occurs when a member is deemed permanently or long-term unfit for service, or for operational deployment, due to a psychological condition, psychological challenges, self-harm, et al.  (eg: fear of ISIS beheading – fair enough that).  This is an involuntary, administrative process driven by a Medical Employment Classification Review Board (MECRB) that can lead to rehabilitation, medical compensation, and potential re-enlistment if the member recovers;

(K)    Suicide.   Note that an extract of Key Findings by the Australian Government’s Institute of Health and Welfare on this ADF matter in brief state:

“The latest three-year suicide rate during 2021–2023 was 26.4 deaths per 100,000 per year for ex-serving males, 16.0 for permanent males, 15.2 for reserve males and 10.0 for ex-serving females.

The suicide rate for ex-serving males and females has generally declined since the mid-2010s, though this is based on preliminary deaths information and conclusive trends are subject to changes following finalisation of coronial processes. The suicide rate for permanent and reserve males shows no clear trend.

Serving permanent males and reserve males were less likely to die by suicide than the general Australian population. However, ex-serving males and females were more likely to die by suicide than the general Australian population.”

(L)    K.I.A. (In a box involuntarily, and not always in one piece or complete – think by enemy ‘I.E.D.’ );

(M)   M.I.A. (generally not voluntarily.   Else voluntary M.I.A. would by default be officially deemed AWOL – being to leaving for a short period without informing your chain of command.   AWOL then generally turns to serious DESERTION after 30 days absent.  In the old days, the military shot deserters by firing squad.);