Another proud dad :-)

[strongmanmike]

My Son Riley completed basic training (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/154653367/original) at Australian Defence Force Academy today

After not having access to him for 5 weeks now, today saw the Chief of Defence Force Parade to farewell the Governor General and mark the end of basic training for new cadets + fly overs of 4 X F18's, Blackhawks, Squirells, MRH90's and a Great display of marching too = very proud parents :D

He will now start his science degree to eventually become a joint battlefield air space controller (or possibly pilot if he gets an offer - still hope)

Mike

[Astro_Bot]

Well done to the lad. Surviving the first few weeks, sanity intact, is a challenge. :thumbsup:

I'm surprised that there's any recognition (flyovers, GG, etc.) as back in the day, you had to wait until final graduation until anyone recognised you even existed.

[h0ughy]

Congratulations Riley, on your passing basic training. LOL your mum and dad did that years ago. You must be very proud Mike

[strongmanmike]

Luckily it coincided with the farewell to the Governor General Quentin Bryce :D



Cheers Houghy....and Yep :D:D:D:D:D

[Hans Tucker]

Firstly, well done to your son and his career choice. (In red) I would have thought they would have decided an end career (Pilot or Battlefield Air Space Controller) upon enlistment.

Battlefield Air Space Controller...jeez even though I am still involved Defence has changed significantly since I was in uniform. This is a new exciting field involving the old with the new. There has been Air Controllers in service for years but now they have so much technology at their disposal.

[Lee]

Congrats to Riley, Mike.
I remember doing the CDF parade there myself 23 years ago.... I still hum the Academy marching tune to myself at times! Good to see with all the changes that have occurred at ADFA, that at least that tradition is ongoing....

[gary]

Great stuff Mike!

[rat156]

Well Mike, if he's built like you, they'll have to redesign the cockpit!

A science degree in the ADF is a rare and highly coveted thing but commanders. The need for scientific thinking to be input into battlefield stations is one of the main reason I work so closely with uniformed ADF personnel. It's fun being the embedded boffin, but I'm not that young anymore, and not a lot of my colleagues are enamoured by the thought of spending weeks/months living in barracks or tents or shipping containers. I'm sure Riley will do well, the ADF allows lots of freedom these days, so if the flight controller doesn't work out as he thought, he'll be well placed to take up another role.

Cheers
Stu

[uwahl]

Its been 45 years since I did basic training. If he can survive that he can handle anything that they throw at him:thumbsup:

[multiweb]

Good on him. :thumbsup: Nothing more rewarding than seeing your kids succeed and happy. All the best to him in his future endeavours. He's off to a good start in life.

[RickS]

Congrats, Mike! It's good to see them grow up and make their place in the world.

[marc4darkskies]

Great news Mike - congrats to Riley!!! ... and to the proud Dad!! :)

Cheers, Marcus

[strongmanmike]

Thanks everyone, appreciate it :thumbsup:

Hans, he was recommended for both JBAC and Pilot (two most competitive roles in the Airforce) ie he passed both his flight screening in Tamworth and the review comity for JBAC. After flight screening in Tamworth he was ranked in order of merit and then waited for an offer from either which depends upon need across the ADF... however an offer came through for the JBAC, which he accepted but as I understand he can still transfer to pilot if an availability comes up.

Mike

[DavidNg]

Good stuff Mike, hope he isn't too big like his dad to fit into one of those fighters cockpit :)

Congratulation
David

[allan gould]

Im pleased for you Mike its a glorious feeling.
Allan

[strongmanmike]

No, we share the same genes but some are different, we are similar heights though :P :lol: I had a link to a photo there in the post :shrug:

Mike

[DJT]

Nice one Mike. Congrats to the lad:thumbsup:

[iceman]

Well done Mike and lad!