I was medically discharged from the RAN in January 2005. I had fractured 3 vertebras in my back in a motorbike accident. My career goal was to leave the Combat Systems Operator category and join the Submarine Squadron.

After 2 years along-side the Navy decided to let me go.
So after 6 years I was back in civvy land all over again thinking that I'll never be able to get back into the Navy and continue my career.

Over the last 12 months I've been working my ass off to get back into a condition that is required so that I can go back to the Navy. I missed it that much that I just had to get back in. I also never got the opportunity to become a submariner.

I did everything from physio, acupuncture, chiro, joined a gym and hired personal trainers to get me back into shape. That was the easy part. I then made the relevant calls to DFR and got the process of re-entry started.

I had to provide DFR medical in Perth with recent X-rays of my back and chest. It's a costly event but in the end it was well worth it. The big ticket in a medical point of view was I saw an orthopaedic surgeon who cleared me not only for Navy service but for Submarine Service as well.

Now, to go back in I had to do another JOES day (real pain in the freckle, but I did it anyway) plus all the relevant interviews, medical, psych and defence interview. They basically treated me as a new recruit off the street until I started to rock the boat by calling the Department of Sailors Career Management (DSCM). They’re the guys that arrange you various sea posting etc.

So DSCM got on the band wagon because the submarine squadron is so critically short of personnel and I was keen as mustard to get back into uniform.

DFR Med in Perth continued to knock me back because of my previous history even though I had documentation from highly qualified surgeons proving otherwise. Unfortunately the DFR medical department at your local recruiting office can make that decision BUT you can appeal it!

The appeal I made also involved a report from a particular orthopaedic surgeon in Perth who not only cleared me for Navy service but for submarine service. A report from a specialist during an appeal will hold more ground because your appeal goes to the Senior Medical Officer in Canberra.

Back up plan! During my appeal I wrote to my local MP who at the time was (and still is) Kim Beazley. I stated to him my current situation with DFR and how I was so eager to return to the Navy and get into the Sub Squadron.

I told him of all of the particular issues I was having at the time with DFR and how I felt like they were holding me back from continuing my career. With this letter I included all my current medical documents stating that I was cleared for service.

This letter was a huge help because Mr. Beazley contacted the Chief of Navy and CN then approved a waiver exactly at the same time the Senior Medical Officer in Canberra did.
All of this went back to DFR Perth and they approved a re-entry for me.

I was having lots of problems with DFR Perth during this process, it was just a killer trying to deal with some of the people up there but if you’re persistent then it’ll move along well. You also need to be patient because it can be a really long process.


Other issues came into my case like DFR telling everyone e.g. DSCM, HMAS Stirling and the Submarine School that I was approved for my joining date but they neglected to tell me.

I had waited another 2 months to be told of my joining date but in that time was offered and accepted to join the Coastwatch operations in Broome. So I put it all on hold until now.

Last week I had the DFR team from Darwin come to Broome. I did a medical, psych and defence interview because all of those 3 were out of date. But my waiver wasn’t so I’m now on my way to the Sub School in July.

If you really want to be a part of the Defence Force, you’ve got to be so persistent and so patient. It can be a really long process with very little assistance and support from DFR.

I know that DFR is now run by civilians but that’s going to change in the near future. Soon we’ll have defence personnel running recruiting again and the process will be smoother and a lot better for new recruits.

You do need to use some initiative though. The defence recruiting website does tell you everything you need, what to bring, what to expect so read it, go through it with a fine tooth comb so that you know how to prepare for when you speak to recruiting.

If you have any issues then call this number

1800 032 083

I can’t stress that enough!!

Good luck in getting in for those new guys, if you want to ask any question’s then PM me or throw them up here and I’ll do my best to answer them correctly.

top post, will you have to go to recruit school again mate or straight to IET's?

No, I'll go straight to HMAS Stilring for Sub training. They tried to get me to go back to recruit school but DSCM stopped that as soon as they got wind of it.

nice mate nice, hope it works out for you.

I've stickied that mate, thanks for sharing.

Good advice.

From now on all all DFR whinges and questions shall be posted here.

So did they reject your appeal, and then you went to the MP, or you just felt that the MP could help with your appeal? I'm in the process of making an appeal now, and I'm wondering whether I should get my MP involved too. I went to a doctor who specializes in back injuries, he cleared me, and he's confident the orthopaedic surgeon will too. So I'll have those two doctors reports, I'm getting reports from a physio and an occupational therapist, and letters from my employers explaining that I've been doing manual labour for years with no back problems. Do you think I need to get my MP involved?

Also, do I only have one chance with the appeal, or if they reject me can I send them more information?

The more help you get the better it'll be so I believe. It depends on how bad you want it. I'm now back in the Navy full time and have all my courses coming up. Something else that might go in your favour is work references from your previous bosses when you were a labourer.

Everything helps, do what you need to get what you want because at the end of the day, you're the only one who can achieve your goal.

I just wanted to find out the name of the specialist you used to give you the recommendation to get back in. I am in a similar predicament, only I was army and want to go into the navy (because I got told the pack marching in army recruit training would hurt my back again). I am doing mixed martial arts and experience no pain or anything, so I just want to try to get back into the defence forces. I loved it when I went in and want to go back.

Thanks for posting this mate. I was discharged from the Navy in 2004 on medical grounds due to a back injury as well (3 prolapsed discs) I am keen as mustard to get back in and am also looking to head to the subs.

You've given me a confidence boost and I'll be sure to take all onboard when I start my app process. (It'll be a couple of months before I apply - I've turned into a bonafied tub of lard since my discharge and need to get myself back in shape! )

Again thanks for this highly educational and inspiring post!

Daryl