Stuart, 19, arrived in Malaysia last week where he and 120 other Reserve soldiers are now part of Australia’s Rifle Company Butterworth.

For the past 18-months Stuart has been delivering mail along the Barton Highway, but soon he will celebrate three milestones with his Army mates in Malaysia – Christmas, New Year and his 20th Birthday on January 3.

It’s a big event for Stuart, who has never been overseas before, either with the Army or even as a tourist.

“Obviously I’m very excited,” he said. “It will prepare me for more challenging deployments – maybe as a peacekeeper to the Solomon Islands and possibly elsewhere around the globe.”

Stuart has specialised as a sapper – an Army engineer – but during the deployment he and 120 other soldiers of the New South Wales-based 5th Brigade will conduct security patrols and participate in training – including jungle survival – that will enhance their military skills.

“If all goes well, I would even consider enlisting in the full-time Army when I return next year.”

Stuart and his contingent are drawn not only from central and western NSW but also the Sydney metropolitan area. They were farewelled by family members and their civilian employers at a barbecue at Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney on November 1.

The Officer Commanding the company, Major Steve Brumby, said local communities should be proud of their part-time soldiers for volunteering to leave their families and jobs in order to serve their country.

Stuart said the Army has been sending troops to Malaysia to serve as Rifle Company

Butterworth since the Communist insurgency there some 40 years ago.

The 5th Brigade has already deployed its part-time soldiers on many operations including

East Timor and the Solomon Islands in support of full-time soldiers.