Firstly Paul, let me say thank you for sticking up your hand to volunteer for this work. You are an exceptional human being in my mind.
Of course if our Government and Service authorities were to really perform their appointed tasks, there'd be no need for folks such as you putting your hand up in the first place. But seriously, good on you mate.
O.K. got that outa the way, feel a bit like an ancient relic after reading the posts here, I was a Member of 6 RAR Infantry battalion. from 1968 thru to 1974.
Posted to non other then the famous D Company of Long Tan Fame. Let me also insert here, I was NOT present at that altercation, which occurred during 6RAR's first tour. My involvement came in the SECOND tour, where we erected the concrete cross in the rubber plantation as a memorial.
I believe said cross was taken down by the Vietnamese Govt and is now in a museum over there and a new one erected.
During my service with 6 RAR, on return to Ozz, we were posted to Singapore, (personally believe it was a thank you for their efforts in Vietnam ) for 2 years, and that was the cushiest posting anyone could ever think of. Got the opportunity to check out Malaya and Penang at close quarters.
Now I'm a T.P.I. reminiscing here, but I do spend a lot of time in the bush where I'm most comfortable.
As a T.P.I. I understand very clearly, the difficulties ex service members face when applying for same, that's why I say what you volunteered for is a very demanding task, and I guess with the demobbing of many of our troops nowadays, will be much in demand in the near future.