Exercise Discovery employs foward abseiling for students of 3/01.

Week 1

Issued with more clothing than would fit into the issued bags. Fortunately, the Retreads, or our experienced students from the ranks, lent us newbies a helping hand.

Why are we issued green uniforms? Why not blue with cloud patterns? Might be in for a big shock here. Talk of going bush and Ground Defence exercises. The Retreads talk of a place called (ARETEEYOU), which seems to be equally as menacing.

Week 2

I was right! My Hootchie is broken. Found that out when I put it up. It was missing both ends and a floor. Rain came for a visit and stayed for tea. The Staff seem to think that exposure to the elements is good for us.

Personally, I have discovered 0430 hours for the first time. I hope this is the last. We are on an exercise called Discovery, aptly named as we are learning to eat RAT Packs. RAT stands for Really Awful Tucker.

Nevertheless, my friendly Retread is teaching me to cook cans on a Hexie Stove, fuelled by spent Chernobyl fuel rods. I abseiled frontward down a rock face - never again.

Week 3

What are smiling socks? I am now rolling socks into smiling faces; they are laughing at me every time I open the draw. Next, I'll have to iron hilarious shirts.

We are now learning drill, discovering how high 30 cm really is. Drill is aptly named; I bracket drill and a visit to the dentist in the same league. Our Sergeant is a human marching machine. I am discovering my 'other left'.

Week 5

Know what a Panic Room is? I can polish, scrub, wipe, vacuum, tidy, iron, straighten, and still my room is a bombsite. Dust multiplies and ants enter in neat military lines. 'No sergeant, they are not my pets, they are unwelcome guests.'

War is declared on ants. Lots of classroom and then outside to practice the theory. Learning how to be assertive, and give clear orders and commands, I am beginning to catch-up with the Retreads.

Week 6

The ants are winning. Clearly, they have never heard of SMEAC. They ate atube of 'Ant Killer'.

Enjoying the Leadership Reaction Course. My whole life is broken into phases. Spent the last weekend with 'S' in phases - never to be repeated! Civilians do things differently.

Week 8

A very busy time, out in the Wombat Forest reacting to different challenging scenarios. The theory works!

Can now lead, although, I must learn to react a little quicker. Blown up by electronic bomb - I thought those flashing lights were significant. Next time, ask for volunteers.

Week 10

Suffered the first Ground Defence Exercise, '3rd Battle of the Somme'. Suggest OTS move to Gold Coast. Cold, wet, tired, sleepy, scratched, blistered, and finally shot at. Told by the Directing Staff that 'Get some' is not a Fire Order.

Pity, because it always works in the movies. In the movies they don't live in trenches either. Failed my second exam; whoever thought that commas were so important on Signals? The pressure is on not to make another mistake.

Week 14

Only two more weeks to go. The big exercise awaits us tomorrow, complete Stage 3, covered sleeping bays and firing trenches with miles of cat wire.

Another hiccup - failed Sword Drill. Must have looked funny (my socks were smirking), speared my sword into the ground.

Had to explain my third failure to the Staff; walking the tightrope for the next two weeks.

I have victory over the ants, have left a trail of RAT Pack sugar leading into the room next door.

We are all looking forward to graduation (not to tomorrow's deployment).

Remember to ring 'S' and say goodbye for the week away. Tally Ho.

Week 16

Survived living in a trench and became very fond of my hole in the ground. Sad to fill it in at the end. Graduation Parade in three days.

All is worthwhile. 'S' is bringing the bubbly.