Reservist Case Studies
Brad Smith
Second in Command
I’m the second in command of an infantry section of nine troops. I look after everything from the boys’ morale to making sure they have the right equipment and rations to work with. My job is all about personnel management and I work closely with the section commander, as his understudy if you like. Being a 2IC is more than just a logistical challenge. Basically, my role is as the “mother” of the section.
Why did you join?
When I was nine or 10, I had a very close relationship with my Grandfather and he’d sit me down and tell me stories about his time as an Army engineer in World War II and Korea. My Grandad’s experiences - being one of the first people who went into Hiroshima after the bomb was dropped, travelling throughout the world with his regiment – and the stories he told me about his time in the Army – these were the things that inspired me to consider Defence service. Having been in the regular Army, I had mixed expectations about what Reserve service would be like but I eventually joined the Reserves as an Infantry Private because I wanted to get in there and do the hard work. I wanted to be there at the grass roots, start from the bottom and see what I could do.
What do you do in civvy street?
My boss gets full Employer Support Payments for any time that I’m serving here or overseas and he’s happy to give me leave so that I can serve. He’s all for my deployments and was recently flown over to Malaysia by Defence Reserves Support to see first hand the work I performed as a member of Rifle Company Butterworth. Oh, I used to tell him about my overseas tours, but now he really understands just what I do while I’m away and he appreciates why I serve in the Reserves.
What has been the highlight of your Army career so far?
Second in Command
When did you join the Army Reserve?
Seven years ago, after a year in the permanent forces.
What’s your job in the Army?
Seven years ago, after a year in the permanent forces.
What’s your job in the Army?
I’m the second in command of an infantry section of nine troops. I look after everything from the boys’ morale to making sure they have the right equipment and rations to work with. My job is all about personnel management and I work closely with the section commander, as his understudy if you like. Being a 2IC is more than just a logistical challenge. Basically, my role is as the “mother” of the section.
Why did you join?
When I was nine or 10, I had a very close relationship with my Grandfather and he’d sit me down and tell me stories about his time as an Army engineer in World War II and Korea. My Grandad’s experiences - being one of the first people who went into Hiroshima after the bomb was dropped, travelling throughout the world with his regiment – and the stories he told me about his time in the Army – these were the things that inspired me to consider Defence service. Having been in the regular Army, I had mixed expectations about what Reserve service would be like but I eventually joined the Reserves as an Infantry Private because I wanted to get in there and do the hard work. I wanted to be there at the grass roots, start from the bottom and see what I could do.
What do you do in civvy street?
Until recently I worked with my dad at the Clark Rubber’s store in Mackay. I was a Jack-of-All-Trades there - training new staff, running the storeroom.
How does your boss feel about your Army job?
How does your boss feel about your Army job?
My boss gets full Employer Support Payments for any time that I’m serving here or overseas and he’s happy to give me leave so that I can serve. He’s all for my deployments and was recently flown over to Malaysia by Defence Reserves Support to see first hand the work I performed as a member of Rifle Company Butterworth. Oh, I used to tell him about my overseas tours, but now he really understands just what I do while I’m away and he appreciates why I serve in the Reserves.
What has been the highlight of your Army career so far?
Working with police and other agencies from all over Australia and The Pacific while I was deployed to the Solomon Islands has been the highlight of my Reserve service so far. I was working in a small unit and got to know the people I was working with and for really well. I wouldn’t say that I have a big talent for languages but pidgin was so closely related to English that I was able to create a real rapport with the locals and it was good to work in an environment of mutual respect. I learned a lot about the culture and lifestyle in the Solomons. It’s so different from Australia! My time there really taught me how lucky we are in Australia to enjoy a great standard of living. The strife had settled down when I was deployed there thanks to Australia’s commitment to the region but many of the people there still lived from hand to mouth relying on family and friends to help them out. My three-month deployment really opened my eyes up to my life here in Australia.
What’s next for you?
I’m studying for certification as a security guard at the moment and am a whisker away from qualifying as a Personal Trainer as well. I like to keep myself fit and enjoy working with people and my experiences in Army have given me a lot of skill in these areas. My Army time also taught me that it’s important to have a “Plan B”. That’s why I’m getting qualifications in two areas.
And your family life?
I’m still living it up at the moment. After a long deployment, it’s nice to get back home and kick back a bit and I don’t have any plans to settle down yet.
What’s next for you?
I’m studying for certification as a security guard at the moment and am a whisker away from qualifying as a Personal Trainer as well. I like to keep myself fit and enjoy working with people and my experiences in Army have given me a lot of skill in these areas. My Army time also taught me that it’s important to have a “Plan B”. That’s why I’m getting qualifications in two areas.
And your family life?
I’m still living it up at the moment. After a long deployment, it’s nice to get back home and kick back a bit and I don’t have any plans to settle down yet.