My reason for joining the Reserves was twofold: the first was that I had an interest in being a soldier after being in the Army Cadets and reading about military history; the second was that I had travelled overseas for two and half years and had seen poverty, instability and a lack of education and opportunity in many countries – particularly within Africa. I realised the world was sometimes a harsh and dangerous place, and that we ought to do more to protect our country and way of life. So, on returning from my travels to a much safer and well-ordered Australia, I got a job within a few weeks, started a higher education course, and joined the Army Reserve.