A SOUTH Perth lieutenant has graduated from Royal Military College -Duntroon with awards for his performance of duty in officer’s training and high marks last month.
Lieutenant Matthew Benn was awarded The Sword of Honour for exemplary conduct and The Queens Medal as the graduate with the highest aggregate of marks among 140 people.
Lt Benn said his duties at the college included performing the curriculum, running the college to a certain standard and being the link between the staff and cadets.
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READ NOW“The Sword of Honour is essentially gifted for excellence and going above and beyond your duties,” he said.
“It symbolises the work you’ve done over the 18 months, it’s the reward for the sacrifice and for putting in the hard effort.”
Lt Benn said he ran a staff of seven other cadets within the battalions area as Battalion Sergeant Major, a role he was awarded in July last year.
“As with misconceptions with any job, it’s not always what you see in the film and it’s a lot of hard work,” he said.
Lt Benn said joining the army straight out of school when he was 18 was the best choice he made.
“I wanted a more practical career where I could travel, be independent and have a different experience than going to uni,” he said.
“My current goal is to be the best platoon commander I could be.
“I would love to command an infantry unit as a commanding officer and travel.”