CHARLOTTE BEATTY
HOW I AM RICHER FROM BEING A COMBAT RADIO OPERATOR IN THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY RESERVES by Charlotte Beatty, Technology Consultant at EY and Army Reservist
There is a lot of ambiguity surrounding the word
While I am known as being a ‘Sig’ the ADF training
‘enlist’. There is often a misconception that signing
approach is ‘soldier first’, meaning each enlisted
on the dotted line will mean deployment to a war
member has to maintain a fitness standard and
zone. Probably not fully spelt out are the state-of-
weapon readiness and is provided with free medical
the-art training and access to the latest and greatest
support. The opportunities are many. There are
equipment that Army Reservists (part time soldiers)
options for pistol shooting, gaining a night vision
gain from their part-time job.
goggles qualification, a truck driver’s licence, and always the chance of being deployed on active
I signed on the dotted line as a 19 year old in the hope
service This list does not do justice to the experience
of wearing a green uniform and doing something
of these perks.
different from my bakery job. Due to fortunate
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timing—and a recruitment drive to support an
Initially I juggled this training with my university
expansion of communications, IT and Intelligence
study timetable and now I juggle it with full-time
capabilities—I landed in the Corps of Signals, where
work as a technology consultant at EY. The skills
I was trained in combat radio warfare. Today, my
developed during my service training have been
experiences in the Army have included training
directly transferable into my professional career
modules in Victoria, a deployment to Communications
and personal life. I firmly believe being in the
HQ during Operation Bushfire Assist in 2019-2020, the
Army contributed to the success of my university
completion of the Cyber Gap Program in 2021 and a
studies and to my professional career. At the end
three week G-Wagon Course at Amberly. (The latter
of the day, if you can keep your cool while firing
was just for fun).
a semi‑automatic rifle under immense pressure,
W O M E N I N S E C U R I T Y M A G A Z I N E
J A N U A RY • F E B R U A RY 2023
