So what did you do at the weekend? I was woken at 5 am for half an hour's PT, had breakfast, viewed an artillery simulator in action, then I rode in an armoured personnel carrier out to the range and shot 20 rounds on a F88 Steyr and then 20 rounds on a F89 Minimi, then shifted a trailer that had lost one wheel 100 yards uphill, did the Web of Death, drew rations and then went back out to the range to pitch a tent, tried the Ninox Night Vision Device, fell over twice, ate and then went on a Night Navigation Exercise, stood picket til ten past midnight, tried to sleep til 6 am , cooked breakfast and broke camp, listened to a medical lecture, ambushed a convoy, eliminated an enemy patrol, did the obstacle course about six times, had lunch and came home. Not bad for a 62 year old grandmother. Exercise Executive Stretch (EES) is an initiative of the Defence Support Reserves Council. The object of Exercise Executive Stretch is to familiarise the public and employers with the activities of Reservists on their staff. If Reservists would like their bosses to know more about their involvement – they can contact the Defence Support Reserves Council www.defence.gov.au/reserves or phone 1800 803 485 and nominate them for the next EES to be held in your State. Employers will appreciate the commitment as well as the leadership training staff receive in the Defence Reserves and will also learn about the Employer Support Payment Scheme which will pay them over $1000.00 per week during the Reservist's absences. There is no charge for the weekend and the only requirement is a reasonable degree of fitness. Leonie said on her return - ‘Highlights of the weekend for me were; shooting on the range (I was ace until we went inside on the simulator and the targets moved!) and the camaraderie that built up in our team over the weekend. I lacked agility and have poor sight and the team worked around that so that we came second in the overall competition. The obstacle course was a killer – and I was stiff and sore but we had a lot of fun. If I can do it – you can! And no you are not too old. You can join if you are over seventeen - are you?- And Reserves' compulsory retirement age has increased to 60 years with extensions to 65 years. Go for it!'
