An unusual gap year programme run by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is proving an overwhelming success - for both the army and participants alike.
Following the ADF's first gap year recruitment drive around 500 out of the 700 participants have either signed up or committed to joining the force full-time, while just 46 have dropped out.
What's more, a larger intake is expected for next year, and defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon believes this is understandable given the range of benefits available to participants.
"At the end of the programme, these kids will be well trained, will have experience working in teams, will understand camaraderie and will have done their nation a service," he told Couriermail.com.au.
"It's a win for everyone, whether they enlist afterwards or not."
Gap years are traditionally seen as a chance for people to try something out of the ordinary before or immediately after university, and whether or not gappers join the army they usually perform activities they wouldn't normally take part in when at home.
As such, it is important that all gappers take out adequate
backpacker travel insurance before they set off on their trips.
