Dennis Braun discusses his two periods of service with the Australian Army. Born in Darwin, Dennis joined the Army after hearing Reveille one morning in 1977 at Larrakeyah Barracks, having felt the need for a change from his life of itinerant work and drinking. Dennis left the Army in 1980, worked as a security guard and then returned to the Army in 1983 for a further three years. He enjoyed his time in the Army, and although he faced some bullying during recruit training, found racism a rare experience. Dennis was deployed to Malaysia as part of rifle company Butterworth. He is disappointed that he has not received an active service medal for this deployment.

• Watch Dennis’ interview at the Alice Springs Yarn Up;
• Return to the Alice Springs Yarn Up page.