RSM 2 Div WO1 Col Lee retires after more than three decades service in the Army. Photo by Bill Cunneen

AFTER 38 years service in the Army, WO1 Col Lee is hanging up his hat to take up the challenge of doing a great deal of nothing much.

Former RSM 2 Div, WO1 Lee said he had no idea what he was going to do and had no plans for the coming year.

"I'm going to take a few months off and then do what I've always done - keep moving forward and grasp opportunity when it's there," he said.

WO1 Lee has served with distinction in a variety of postings and takes with him a wealth of experience and knowledge.

"There are far too many fantastic experiences to recall. My whole Army career has been a highlight," he said.

"I have met and served with some of the best people - and some of the not-so-best people, too - but my life has been an absolute ball."

He enlisted in 1963 and has seen service in Vietnam, been a drill sergeant at OCS Portsea and CSM with 3RAR during their move from Woodside to Holsworthy

Barracks to take up their parachute role.

During his years of service he has seen a number of changes in the Army's methods of doing business.

"I don't think we spend long enough on recruit training these days - despite the wonderful job done by the instructors, I feel we need more time in places like Kapooka.

"Also, the modern soldier spends more time trying to fix up his own administration under the shopfront system than he used to do through the orderly room."

WO1 Lee said the technological changes introduced over the course of his career have enhanced the soldier's ability to do his job but that the job remained the same.

"The weaponry will always get better but the soldier behind the weapon is what makes it work - the best bit of kit in the world is useless without a good soldier."

He has been RSM 3RAR, the Infantry Centre, RAInf, RMC, 1RTB and 2 Div, plus a stretch as Infantry Career Manager at SCMA.

WO1 Lee said Reserve soldiers in the combat arms were being under-employed in terms of Australia's operations overseas.

"If we're going to persist with 45-day courses and the same competencies as ARA, then we've got to give them a guernsey on overseas deployments."

"If they're not going to be deployed, that's okay - be honest with them, then cut back the training to the point where we can get them ready in 100-odd days or whatever it takes."

His parting advice for soldiers was to read the new JNCO Field Handbook (LWP-G-0-2-4), especially chapter 18, paragraph 18-1.

"There are 43 sub-paragraphs - read them and analyse them and the NCO of tomorrow will have all the information he or she requires to lead."

By Cpl Jonathan Garland