How to Prepare for Kapooka: Lessons from a New Army Reserve Recruit

Every person who joins the Australian Defence Force has a different story.

Some know from childhood that's what they want to do. Others discover it later in life after wanting a new challenge.

Cam's journey was somewhere in the middle.

After years working as a painter, competing in martial arts and raising a young family, he finally decided it was time to pursue something he'd wanted since he was a kid. That decision eventually led him to joining the Australian Army Reserve as an Infantry Soldier.

Recently, I sat down with Cam after he'd completed Kapooka to talk through the entire journey. From applying and waiting through medical delays, right through to arriving at recruit training and the lessons he wishes every future recruit knew beforehand.

If you're preparing to join the Army, or even just considering it, there's plenty you can learn from his experience.

A Goal That Never Really Went Away

Like many applicants, joining the Army wasn't a spur of the moment decision.

Cam had wanted to join since he was young but put the idea aside as life moved on. He built a career as a painter, started a family and spent years competing in martial arts.

Eventually he reached a point where he wanted a fresh challenge.

Infantry appealed because it represented exactly what he was looking for. A physically demanding role that would push him outside his comfort zone.

Instead of joining full-time, he chose the Army Reserve so he could continue supporting his family while still pursuing military service.

It's a reminder that there isn't one "perfect" time to join. Everyone arrives there differently.

The Recruitment Process Didn't Go to Plan

Cam first applied in December 2024.

Like many ADF applicants, things didn't move as quickly as he'd hoped.

Medical requirements meant he had to wait, complete additional steps and eventually reapply before finally enlisting in March 2026.

He admitted it was frustrating.

Waiting is often one of the hardest parts of the recruitment process because it feels like nothing is happening.

Instead of letting that stop him, he shifted his focus.

He kept training.

He continued martial arts.

He spent more time running and lifting weights.

Most importantly, he reminded himself that if joining the Army was the long-term goal, the extra preparation time would only make him better once he finally got there.

Looking back now, he said it was completely worth the wait.

Lesson for applicants

Recruitment delays are frustrating, but they're also an opportunity.

Fitness is one of the few things you have complete control over during your application. Every extra month you spend improving your running, strength and durability will benefit you once recruit training starts.

Why He Didn't Want to Just Pass the Fitness Test

One part of our conversation really stood out.

Cam explained that he could already meet the required fitness standards before he started preparing.

But that wasn't enough.

He recognised that being a soldier isn't a job where scraping through the minimum standard is a good strategy.

You can't prepare yourself for weapons handling, drill or military routines before you arrive.

You can prepare your fitness.

That became his focus.

It's something I tell applicants all the time.

Passing the PFA isn't the goal.

Preparing your body for everything that comes afterwards is.

What Kapooka Was Actually Like

Every recruit remembers arriving at Kapooka.

For Cam, the tension built gradually.

The bus ride.

Walking onto the parade ground.

Entering the lines.

Then everything suddenly became very real.

He laughed about wondering what he'd got himself into once the instructors properly kicked things off.

Despite watching videos and hearing other people's stories beforehand, he said nothing truly prepares you for the environment.

It's not simply the physical demands.

It's being taken away from normal life.

Everyone is dressed the same.

Everyone has shaved heads.

You're learning new skills every day while being placed under constant pressure.

That's what makes recruit training unique.

Fitness Helped More Than He Expected

One misconception about Kapooka is that it's all endless PT sessions.

That's not really the case.

Cam explained there wasn't a huge amount of formal physical training during his Reserve course.

Instead, the challenge came from constantly being on his feet.

Walking everywhere.

Carrying equipment.

Climbing stairs.

Managing fatigue while dealing with information overload and military routine.

He believes preparing his fitness beforehand made a significant difference.

Not because it made the PT easy.

Because it reduced injury risk, helped him recover better and made the overall experience more manageable.

That's exactly why I encourage applicants to train beyond simply passing the fitness assessment.

Good fitness helps with everything.

You Don't Need Experience to Succeed

One area many applicants worry about is weapons handling.

Cam admitted he'd only fired firearms a handful of times before joining.

Initially he found learning the weapon system challenging.

By the end of recruit training, weapons handling had become one of his favourite parts of the course.

He said the Army teaches recruits from the ground up.

The lessons are structured so people with no experience can progressively build confidence.

If someone needs more help, instructors provide additional revision and retraining.

His advice is simple.

Don't stress if you've never touched a firearm before.

You're expected to arrive knowing nothing.

The Biggest Challenge Wasn't Physical

When asked what he found hardest about Kapooka, Cam didn't mention obstacle courses or physical training.

He said being away from family was the biggest challenge.

As someone with a young family, those quiet moments were the hardest.

Interestingly, he also explained that staying busy helped.

Most of the day you're occupied learning, practising and completing tasks.

It's usually the quieter periods where homesickness starts to creep in.

His advice was to stay productive.

Review your notes.

Revise your lessons.

Keep your mind engaged.

Teamwork Makes Everything Easier

One lesson kept coming up throughout our conversation.

Help the people around you.

Everyone arrives with different strengths.

Some people struggle with hospital corners.

Others struggle with weapons.

Some pick up classroom learning quickly while others don't.

Cam found that recruits constantly helped each other, whether it was revising for assessments or showing someone how to complete a task properly.

That's exactly how military culture works.

Eventually the roles reverse.

The person you help today might be helping you tomorrow.

Practical Lessons Every ADF Applicant Can Learn

If you're preparing to join the Australian Army, these are the biggest takeaways from Cam's experience.

• Use recruitment delays to improve your fitness instead of getting frustrated.

• Aim to be fitter than the minimum standard, not just good enough to pass.

• Don't stress about weapons handling because you'll be taught from scratch.

• Take notes during recruit training and revise regularly.

• Work with your platoon instead of trying to do everything yourself.

• Put in genuine effort, even when you struggle.

• Expect recruit training to challenge you mentally as much as physically.

• Focus on what you can control before arriving, especially your fitness.

Preparing for Your Own ADF Journey

If you're still waiting to enlist, now is the perfect time to start preparing.

Our free ADF Fitness Prep Guides cover everything from running and strength through to the beep test and ADF-specific preparation.

👉 https://outperformfitness.com.au/guides

If you'd like a structured program designed specifically for Army, Navy and Air Force applicants, the Fit For Service Training Plan provides progressive programming based on your current fitness level and how long you have before enlistment.

👉 https://info.outperformfitness.com.au/getbattleready

Frequently Asked Questions

How fit should I be before Kapooka?

Meeting the minimum fitness standard is a good starting point, but it's far better to arrive fitter than required. Better fitness helps with recovery, injury prevention and coping with the overall demands of recruit training.

Can I prepare for Kapooka before I enlist?

Absolutely. While you can't realistically prepare for military skills like weapons handling or drill, you can improve your running, strength, endurance and overall durability before you arrive.

Do I need firearms experience before joining the Army?

No. Cam had very limited experience before joining and explained that recruits are taught everything from the beginning. The training is designed for complete beginners.

What is the hardest part of Kapooka?

Everyone's experience is different, but for Cam the biggest challenge was being away from family. He also found the amount of information being taught in a short period demanding.

What should I do while waiting for my ADF application?

Keep training, set fitness goals and use the extra time to prepare yourself. Recruitment delays can be frustrating, but they also provide an opportunity to arrive at recruit training in much better shape than if you'd enlisted immediately.