At one time I completed ultra-marathons. There are some parallels with serving in the Army Reserve in a combat role, such as being out in the bush with all the gear you need to survive on your back, covering anywhere from 25km to over 100km on foot.

I felt that Infantry Soldier would be a good complementary role and I wanted to do something physically demanding. Joining an Infantry battalion fulfilled this.

The Army Reserve is a second job like no other, working with equipment that does not exist in many other types of employment. Plus, I often get to travel to other parts of Australia on deployments.

Training on Tuesday night includes PT and minor Infantry tactics with admin on the side. A couple of times in the year it involves more substantial military tasks.

I was involved in Operation Covid Assist, working alongside NSW Police. I also got the opportunity to be involved in Operation Bushfire Assist. During the bushfires the weather was extremely hot with back-to-back days.

The thing I love most about the Army Reserve is the deployments.

Plus, I enjoy that it’s a physically demanding role with typical gym work, whilst completing more compound-based exercises with little break in between.