 - Last login: 14 days agoRenate555
- Renate is a married 77 year old person from Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
- Likes 9 pages, 2 videos • 44 fans • Received 20 reviews
- Member since May 25, 2007
I am an:
1. artist, traditional and modern painting.
2. Poet - writing poems you can understand about various subjects. 3. The author of 'From the
Promised Land to the Lucky Country'
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A year service in the RAAF
We are every excited. Our youngest grandson is continuing family tradition.
He was accepted, after fierce competition, for a year in the RAAF, under a new trial program the Australian armed forces have instituted for high school graduates.
What the national statistics are I do not know, but here in Qld one in every twenty-three appliances passed the tests.
The chosen youngsters are already in camp undergoing a 5 weeks basic military training. By the end of this training they will be stationed, few months at a time, in a couple of other camps where they will be introduced to some aspects of their chosen force, and will undertake courses leading to officer ranking. At the end of the year they will be able to choose if they want to stay in the forces or return to civil life.
The importance of this program, from our family point of view, cannot be underestimated. We feel that most of today's youngsters are missing out on the normal difficulties, adversities and challenges, which bring to self-fulfilment and self-worthiness. It is true that there are those who look for and find challenges, but these are in a minority.
We see the disturbing growing phenomenon of needless vandalism, over indulgence in alcohol, and even worse, the use of drug as well as suicide, which comes, in many cases, out of boredom. We see young and beautiful human specimens who lack a good reason for living; and it hurts.
I do not by any stretch of the imagination think that the armed forces are the answer to every ill in society, but it is a step in the right direction. The feedbacks we are receiving are very positive; our grandson loves the challenges he is facing and the friendships he has already made.
I am well aware that a lot depends on the individual, and that may be, not all of them will make it. BUT, and it is a BIG BUT - these youngsters are getting the chance, and a jumping-board that will kick start them into self awareness and realization that life has something to offer, something to look forwards to.
I cannot but applaud the Australian government and its Forces for instituting this wonderful program.
Renate
promisedland-renate.com [promisedland-renate.com]
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