Our People in the NT
Helping Out in Afghanistan
The modern RSM is far more than the stereotyped drill-square disciplinarian. "My job as Regimental Sergeant Major is to maintain standards, maintain soldier morale, career manage the soldiers and enforce discipline," Peter said.
"I see my role, as the senior soldier of the Task Force, is to give advice to all ranks and to advise the Commanding Officer on certain soldier matters. Part of that is to mentor young officers, senior non-commissioned officers and Warrant Officers,"
Peter has served in the Australian Army for nearly twenty years, joining when he was 29 years old. "I was in Cadets at school and enjoyed that, but didn't make the decision to join until later in life. I saw one of the recruiting ads and applied. Being in the Army is something I like - I enjoy being part of the Army family and the sense of belonging, the team environment and the fact I am serving my country."
The Task Force's mission is to rebuild infrastructure in the war ravaged country. "The Reconstruction Task Force is basically what the name says. The Task Force's mission is to provide reconstruction to Uruzgan Province , while also providing our own security. Our job is to identify tasks that are required by the locals and facilitate the construction and completion of those tasks," Peter said.
As the RSM, part of Peter's responsibility is to monitor the morale and general welfare of the troops under his care. "I think all of us in the Task Force are keen to get on and do the job. Our mission is worthwhile, it's a good mission. We are here to leave a positive mark on this country. The Australian soldier is renowned for lending a helping hand, willingly and with a good spirit. The Australian soldier makes friends wherever they go,' Peter said with pride.
A major part of any soldier's morale is the effect their deployment has on their family, friends and loved ones. Peter is keen that the families of Darwin know just how well their men and woman in Afghanistan are doing.
"I'd like the families to know our troops are safe and they are being well looked after. They are in good spirits and they are keen to get on with the job. The morale of the Task Force is high. As a whole, the RTF is united in its mission - and to coming home safely. The inbuilt safety and mission focus is highlighted by the mix of Corps and units which have combined to make up the excellent group that is the Task Force. The friends and loved ones of those serving here in Afghanistan should be immensely proud of what we are doing over here."
Peter is one of some 400 Australian Defence Force personnel currently in Afghanistan as part of the international coalition against terrorism. The Australian contribution, known as Operation SLIPPER, currently includes a Reconstruction Task Force (RTF), in partnership with the Netherlands , in support of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
The RTF is comprised of command, engineer, security and support elements. These forces are focused on reconstruction and community-based projects as part of Australia 's commitment to assisting Afghanistan achieve a stable and secure future.
Two Army Chinook helicopters and an additional 110 personnel are also deployed to Afghanistan providing aero-medical evacuation, air mobility and logistic support to coalition operations.
small number of Australian personnel are also embedded within ISAF to assist in the nationwide operations.