All personnel enlisting for service as a Commando (ECN 079) are required to serve for an initial minimum period of service of four years. However, you are not required to accept this until you have completed your Recruit training and are recommended for service in Special Forces at the Special Forces Interview Board. At this point you are required to accept an initial period of service of four years to be eligible to commence Infantry Initial Employment Training.

If you are unsuccessful in completing your recruit training, you can seek 'discharge at own request' and are not required to complete the initial minimum period of service. However, if you are unsuccessful at Infantry Initial Employment Training or any subsequent Commando training after that, choose to withdraw from the scheme, or if are found to be unsuitable for service as a Commando, you will be required to complete your initial minimum period of service within the general Army.

In this case, you will also be given the opportunity to be employed in another trade within Special Operations Command or another trade within the general Army. This will be negotiated on a case by case basis. This is designed to ensure the ADF recovers reasonable value from its investment in your training and development.

Applications to resign or transfer to the Reserves from personnel who have not completed their initial minimum period of service will not normally be approved unless compassionate or otherwise compelling personal reasons exist.