23 July 2025
For the past 15 years, if you had issues with Army’s military logistics system, there was one man who could always solve your problem.
But now the system is retired, Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers stalwart Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) Russell Cliffe is following suit after 52 years of supporting Army maintenance.
Before an Army recruiting team visited Barcaldine High School in central west Queensland, 15-year-old Russell Cliffe had never considered a career in Defence.
His grandfather had served as a medic in the Air Force during World War 2, and had discouraged service because of experiences in Papua New Guinea.
But when the recruiters explained the Army apprenticeship program, WO1 Cliffe’s ears perked up and by the time he got home from school, he had decided to join.
“I said to Mum that I’d really like to do that; she filled out all the forms and that was the start of the journey,” WO1 Cliffe said.
He joined Army on January 15, 1973, with the 28th apprentice vehicle mechanic intake and posted to the Army Apprentice School in Balcombe, Victoria.
At the school he learnt his trade from experienced staff, many of them Vietnam veterans, and played a lot of sport and spent time with course mates.
“We were very well looked after; I have nothing but compliments for the staff at the school. There were around 500 apprentices during my time there and they kept us out of trouble,” WO1 Cliffe said.
“It was a great start to my career. From all the friendships I established while I was there, there’s still people I catch up with regularly to this day.”
'It’s recognition that Army has provided me, for a very long time, with a rewarding career that has given me a lot of enjoyment.'
One Easter weekend, he and other apprentices from Queensland were bundled up to the Victorian snowfields because they couldn’t travel home for the holiday.
“But they didn’t have any accommodation for us, so we went up with hootchies and sleeping bags and camped out in the carpark up on the snow line,” WO1 Cliffe said.
“It was bloody freezing and for a Queenslander it was a very different experience, but that’s a memory I won’t forget.”
After finishing his apprenticeship at 1 Base Workshop in Bulimba, WO1 Cliffe completed a long list of postings, including 21st Construction Squadron, 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment and Headquarters Logistics Command (now Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group).
A highlight came in 1992, when he deployed with the Forces Communications Unit supporting the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia peacekeeping mission, after a civil war broke out with the collapse of the Khmer Rouge.
As artificer sergeant major for the Australian contingent, he oversaw the maintenance of Australian vehicles and weapons for the 12-month deployment.
“We mainly looked after our gear, but our recovery mechanics provided support to the UN. They were out and about moving equipment around; they were very involved,” WO1 Cliffe said.
'If I was born again, I would not change a thing. I’ve absolutely got no regrets.'
In 2006 he transitioned to the reserves, but was doing so much work in Headquarters 1st Division he decided to return full-time.
In 2010 WO1 Cliffe posted to what would be his focus for the last 15 years of his career, working in Army Headquarters on the military integrated logistics information system project.
“It’s given me satisfaction. I felt like I’ve contributed in a good way to the organisation, and that’s the thing I’ll remember most,” he said.
WO1 Cliffe was awarded the Federation Star in recognition of his 52 years of service in a ceremony at Russell Offices, Canberra, on June 23.
“It is not so much recognition of my time, but it’s recognition that Army has provided me, for a very long time, with a rewarding career that has given me a lot of enjoyment,” he said.
Now working from home in Gladstone, WO1 Cliffe is looking forward to being active in the local community, as well as travelling to see his family.
“I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve got a lot of enjoyment out of the various postings and positions I’ve held. The Army has given me such a great life,” he said.
“If I was born again, I would not change a thing. I’ve absolutely got no regrets.”
