von Civilian employers of Defence Force Reservists have experienced first-hand the conditions and challenges faced by their employees whilst serving on operations overseas.
Twenty-three employers recently joined their Reservist employees currently deployed to the Solomon Islands in support of Operation Anode. The employers were taking part in a Defence program called Exercise Boss Lift, run by the Cadet, Reserve and Employer Support Division.
The employers experienced for themselves what the deployment was like with demonstrations on police assistance drills, first aid, field craft and vehicle recovery.
Mr Damian Moorfoot from Bendigo Mining was impressed by the work being done by the Reservists on the deployment.
“What these guys are doing is really making a difference here and to see it is something special and something I will remember for a long time,” he said.
Private Damien McClure took great delight in showing his civilian employer the day to day life of a soldier deployed on operations.
“I think it really opened Damian’s eyes to the training and the effort I put into the Reserves outside of work,” he said.
Brigadier Robert Marsh, Commander of 4 Brigade, said Exercise Boss Lift helped to generate and strengthen ADF Reserve capability by informing employers of the benefits gained by having Defence and employers working together.
“Civilian employer and community support is vital to Australia’s defence capability because reservists now provide such a vital contribution to Australia’s operations overseas and during times of national emergency,” Brigadier Marsh said.
“We encourage employers to actively participate in these sorts of Defence activities to help them to better understand the important work a Reservist does.”
The employers experienced first hand life on deployment for a soldier as well as other activities including cultural demonstrations on the Solomon Islands and historic lectures on battle for Guadalcanal during the Second World War.
Press release
Ministerial Support and Public Affairs,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, Australia