Denis Smallwood discusses his 12 years in the army, from basic training through to active service in East Timor and Iraq. He talks about the different challenges of those two conflicts, how the focus on aid and helping local people in the ‘bush’ context of East Timor, and the satisfaction of that work for him, contrasted with the more dangerous, difficult and complex conflict he served through in Iraq, particularly in Baghdad. Denis speaks about the problems he experienced when he returned home, left the army, and tried to adjust back to normal life. Turning to drugs and alcohol to try and cope, he says this was by far the hardest battle to fight, and while initially wary of seeking help, it was the advice, help and support from both local community members and more formal services, in particular those facilitated by DVA, that made all the difference and helped Denis deal with his service-related trauma and get his life back on track.

• Watch Denis’ interview at the Tweed Heads Yarn Up;
• Return to the Tweed Heads Yarn Up page.