Our People in ACT
Brad Halloran - Career Swap a Sea Change
Royal Australian Navy officer Lieutenant Commander Brad Halloran is used to extremes and that is exactly what he got when he decided to join the military.
The Canberra-based former teacher decided to swap mathematics and science for a life in the Australian Defence Force, joining his wife who is in the Air Force.
Earlier this year, Lieutenant Commander Halloran left the chill of his home in Jerrabomberra (Queanbeyan) for the tropical humidity of East Timor where he is on deployment as a planning officer with the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF).
“My job is to develop plans for liaison with local organisations as part of the ISF mission here in East Timor,” LCDR Halloran said.
“This largely involves establishing relationships with local governments, civilian groups and the United Nations.”
The ISF is in East Timor to support local security forces to maintain a stable and secure environment at the invitation of the Government of Timor-Leste.
LCDR Halloran said the best thing about his six-month deployment, apart from the extremes in temperature, is the people.
“The friendships I have made and the professionalism of the ISF is just great. It’s also been fantastic getting to know the East Timorese people.”
The 46-year-old RAN officer is due to return to Canberra by Christmas and plans to spend time with the family, fishing at Batemans Bay and sailing – of course!