Dad’s tales of adventure inspire

Private Mason Tessier’s father’s tales of service inspired the former Rouse Hill Anglican College student from Baulkham Hills in Sydney to leave his civilian trade and join the Army.

CAPTION: Private Mason Tessier secures cargo pallets in the warehouse of the ADF’s main operating base in the Middle East, Camp Baird. Photo by Corporal Tristan Kennedy.

Private Tessier, now on his first operational deployment serving in the Middle East with Force Support Element – Rotation 13 (FSE-13), said it was a decision he never second-guessed.

“My dad, Stuart, used to tell my brother and me about his adventures and interesting things that occurred during his service as an infantryman,” Private Tessier said.

“Inspired from early on, I knew that I had to join.”

Originally a sheet metal fabricator, the 28-year-old enlisted in 2016 and is now an air dispatcher.

Fours year later, Private Tessier is supporting the flow of critical supplies and equipment to the ADF’s various operations in the Middle East.

“My position over here is referred to as a terminal role that assists with the movement of freight in and around the region as well as back to Australia,” Private Tessier said.

“Some of the various functions I fulfil range from the handling of munitions and high explosives, through to the completion of essential paperwork and processing movement requests.”

He arrived in the Middle East after supporting the ADF’s domestic operations in response to the 2019-2020 bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I can’t remember a time when I have been as busy as I have been,” he said.

“However, like everything with Defence, you never really have a dull moment as there is always something going on.”

Private Tessier said his deployment with FSE-13 was a great opportunity to see another part of the world, learn new skills, and meet new people.

“My father always said the Army offered adventure, and he was absolutely right,” Private Tessier said.

“I suspect I will be relating my experiences across 2019 to 2021 with my own kids one day, and hopefully inspire them the same way I was.”

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