When we got off the bus at Puckapunyal's 2nd Recruit Training Battalion (2RTB) on January 29, 1969, we were met with loud commands by Corporal Green, who I soon learned was to be my section RTI (recruit training instructor). 2RTB was the starting point for all national servicemen, teaching us the basics. Corporal Green could be a bit theatric, but he was a skilled instructor. He taught us to make beds to army standards, fold clothes, iron shirts , and march in step.
By the second week, things got tougher. We were given 7.62mm self-loading rifles and trained on how to take them apart, put them back together, and load them. After that, we moved on to the F1 submachine gun, which used .45 caliber rounds (we were told to always call them "rounds," not "bullets"). Even though I wasn’t naturally drawn to weapons, I actually enjoyed the shooting practice.
In the third week, we got new uniforms to replace the second-hand ones we’d been using. This included new boxer shorts, but the fabric dye caused a bad reaction. It left me with painful irritation, and I had to see a medic. Once I recovered, I got rid of those shorts for good.
Our group was the 15th intake of recruits from Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia. We were split into twenty platoons, each with sixty recruits, making up a total of 1,200 men. A similar group from New South Wales and Queensland was likely training at Singleton in the Hunter Valley. Not everyone finished the program, though. For example, one recruit from 18 Platoon cut off a finger with a bayonet, probably hoping to be discharged from service.
The troops of Hut One, 19 Platoon, look pretty happy. Recruit Training was almost over. Corporal Green, centre, second row, was obviously sad we were leaving.
The previous December, three of us recruits had completed our fitting and machining apprenticeships at Geelong's International Harvester factory. Out of the three, only one was alloc-ated to the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Luckily, it was me. As for the other two, Tim M. and the late John Penning (far right, back row in the photo), were assigned to Infantry training. Relieved, I was sent to Bandiana to undertake a six-week course in the maintenance and repair of artillery guns, Howitzers and the like.
I was next posted to A Squadron, 3 Cavalry Regiment in Holsworthy as a general fitter. 3Cav was an Armoured Corps unit equipped with M113 personnel carriers, mounted with .30 and .50 calibre machine guns. There wasn’t a Howitzer for miles. I quickly adjusted and got on with the job. The leaders of both my unit and the Regiment itself were impressive officers and soldiers. Major John Coates, rose to be General of the Army.
My enthusiasm for army life grew, and by September I successfully applied for Officer Training. Both of us were accepted, with plans to begin training at Portsea in January. However, the very next day, I received my posting to Vietnam. The Colonel who headed up the Selection Board suggested that I complete my deployment in Vietnam (a 'safe' posting in my case) and then go to OCU in the July intake. I agreed and was promptly sent off on exercise followed by jungle training—mandatory for everyone with a Vietnam posting.
South Vietnam
Infantry battalions were typically trans-ported to Vietnam aboard the Sydney, a retired Navy aircraft carrier. However, the majority of us—around 70 to 80%—traveled on a weekly Qantas flights instead. During a refueling stop in Sing-apore, we were required to change our army shirts for civilian clothing. This was Singapore's strategy for distancing itself from involvement in the Vietnam War. We arrived in Saigon early in the morning. Our final approach was steep, presumably to minimise being hit by rockets.
The ground below was punctured with craters and the airfield was crowded with military aircraft. As we came to a stop, I could see Australian soldiers waiting to board. Each one was carrying an AK-47 as well as their personal weapon. Turned out they were an advance party of 5RAR soldiers waiting to board the outward flight.
We waited around in the heat for about three hours before being flown to Vung Tau in a Fairchild C-123 Provider aircraft like the one in the banner above. It had two turbo-prop engines and two booster jet engines. Sorry, I'm an aircraft tragic.
My new unit was As we came into land I noticed that I had a sore throat. I soon found out that five of us were heading for my new unit 102 Field Workshop at the Australian Logistics Support Group. Bill Brady was one. Bill, an auto electrician from Colac, was in my hut at Pucka (third from left, back row), and also at corps training at Bandiana.
My throat got so sore that I didn't sleep very well on my first-night 'in-country.' I had difficulty swallowing. My new sergeant-major sent me to the hospital (it was just over the road) to get check-out. The duty medic (not a doctor) could not see any signs of infection. I was referred to a doctor and then a psychologist. His first question was, "are you missing your mother?" I spent the night in the hospital and was released in the morning without a diagnosis. Maybe I was more fond of my mother than I thought.
Part 2 to follow.
25 Apr 2025