Our People

CPL Hodges

Before posting to the Guard for the second time I was a supplier at 86 Wing and 36 SQN at RAAF Base Amberley.  I came back to the Guard because I enjoy the drill and I wanted to strengthen my skills as an Junior Non-commissioned officer  as I have recently been promoted.

As this is my second time posted to the Guard I had a good idea what it was going to be like.  There is potential to travel the country and to some parts of the world.  Although it is a ceremonial unit and drill is involved, there is a lot of opportunity to study, complete on the job training and participate in adventure training.

My time at the Guard has been very enjoyable. It is a great place if you are looking for a break from a squadron and deployments.

A usual day at the guard starts at 0800 with role call, followed by physical training (usually anything from an organised circuit to a run either around the Australian Defence Force Academy or Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra).   After PT there is time to have showers/morning tea until 1000. After morning tea there will be drill for roughly 1.5 - 2 hrs until lunch at 1200.  Lunch is from 1200 – 1300 after which there will normally be anything from single / tri-services lectures, such as service history.  Days finish at 1600.  This can differ depending on the day and whether there is a parade on or other activities.  

On my pervious posting to the guard I had the opportunity to join the Precision Drill Team – PDT, where I was able to travel to every capital city around Australia doing career expos and places like Alice Springs performing at their annual shows.

While posted to the Guard there is the opportunity to travel overseas to places like Gallipoli and France for ANZAC Day and for the Edinburgh tattoo in the UK.   

Within the Guard you also have the chance to become part of the drum corps who drum for Catafalque parties at the War Memorial and with the PDT.

I really enjoyed my time at the guard the last time and very much look forward to what is to come in the next 2-3 years of this posting.  It gives you so much insight into the other two services and the way they operate.  The posting is also a great opportunity to make heaps of good mates and you also get the chance to do things you wouldn’t do in your day to day job.

PTE Tilley

Before joining Australia’s Federation Guard I was an Infantryman at the 3rd Royal Australian Regiment Parachute Battalion based in Sydney.  I came to Australia’s Federation Guard to do something different after three consecutive years of deployments and a chance to strengthen my relationship with my now fiancé.

I was told I would be travelling all over Australia and the world, spending all my other time doing drill.  Images of my initial soldier training at the Army Recruit Training Centre came to mind when the daily program was described to me from people outside of the Guard.

I have now been here for six months and I have found it to be the perfect place for someone in my situation.  The guard gives me the opportunity to train with PT in the morning, an hour of drill taking up the morning till lunch time, followed by various activities after lunch.

Parades usually occur once a week in the Canberra area, although there is always the opportunity to join the Precision Drill Team and travel around the country on a more regular basis.  There is also the opportunity to undertake the many military courses that I would not have been able to do had I been back in the Battalion.

I really enjoy having the ability to plan a weekend away in advance, without fear of my personal plans being superseded by surprise work commitments; although it is an accepted fact at the Guard that impromptu parades can happen.

It has been different working in a Tri-service environment.  It has both advantages and disadvantages but all in all makes for a dynamic, interesting and relaxed work environment.

So far I have been skydiving and I will be getting my open water diving licence through approved activities run at the Guard.  In the coming months I will be travelling overseas to the UK to see the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and walking the Kakoda Trail.

Australia’s Federation Guard has given me the opportunity to do things I would not be able to do anywhere else in the Army and I would be happy if I were posted to the unit again later on in my career.

ABBM Bickerton

At present I am a naval reservist serving a Continuous Full Time Service contract. Prior to joining the Guard I was employed within the Western Australian Health Sector as a Registered Nurse.

I initially volunteered to join the Guard out of sheer curiosity.  I was also excited as I had not recently served in the active reserves so I was looking forward to reacquainting myself with the Navy and military environment, including the day to day challenges that go with it.

As I had come from civilian background I initially found the Guard to be a little daunting.  I had a considerable amount of responsibility in my civilian employment and now I found myself having to take orders again.  The guard is a tri-service unit which is predominantly run by the Army; the Army certainly have a different way of doing things to the Navy especially in regards to drill.  At first it was very confusing and challenging trying to learn Army based drill, but with time and persistence it became second nature to me.  The ‘rivalry’ between services can be challenging at times but it has been insightful to see how the other services run.

Whilst at the Guard, I have travelled interstate on a regular basis as well as overseas.  I have represented the Guard at the following events: the Papal visit Sydney, the Opening of Parliament Adelaide, the EKKA Brisbane, Freedom of Entry Sydney, the Easter Show Sydney and the Newcastle Show.  Overseas I have represented the Guard in Gallipoli for ANZAC Day services at ANZAC Cove and Lone Pine.  Before returning home I visited the famous Grand Bazaar as well as the Blue Mosk in Istanbul. This year I will be attending the 2009 Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland and will be spending several days in London on the way back.

I was briefly a member of the Precision Drill Team (PDT) and during this time I travelled to Darwin for the careers expo.  The PDT team has a busy and demanding schedule travelling interstate on regular basis to promote the ADF and AFG at careers expos and major events such as the AFL Grand Final in Melbourne.

Like anything in life, the Guard is what you make of it.  If you want to travel interstate on a regular basis there is plenty of opportunity at the Guard, especially if you volunteer for PDT.  If you are prepared to put in the effort there is a good chance that you can travel overseas during a posting to the Guard.  Those who like to keep fit will get plenty of physical training whilst at the Guard.  This year the Guard will send a contingent to complete the Kakoda Track and a team from the AFG will also participate in the charity event Cycle Queensland.

Unfortunately I will have the leave the Guard at the end of this year as my posting will end.  I have enjoyed my time at the Guard and I hope that I will be able to come back in the future. .

Site built by Educational Technology Services UNSW@ADFA