Our People in Tasmania
David McHenry - Warrant Officer Class Two
It’s been a few years since Sandy Bay’s Warrant Officer David McHenry, 42, tacked and jibbed his Rainbow around the Yacht Club buoys.
Now the Hutchin’s School graduate is on the Army’s High Range Exercise Area, just inland from Townsville, QLD.
“I started as a Cadet, then a Reservist before I joined the Regulars. Now I’m responsible for feeding around 1600 soldiers,” said David, “Not to mention accommodation, vehicles and fuel.
“1550 of the soldiers will be in Afghanistan by the end of June, so it’s important they are able to concentrate on their training.”
“I arrive three weeks before they do and leave two weeks after, and we do this for every rotation. They start by going over the basics, then they end with a ‘freeplay’ exercise.
“But, while the training is happening, it’s as though we are overseas. We don’t go home until it’s over.
“Then I’m going to have a week’s leave and I’ll do absolutely nothing!”