Wanniassa pharmacist and Defence Force reservist Luke Peacock appreciates the support he has received from his employer for his military duties, but it is the backing from his wife Susie that is truly remarkable.
Mr Peacock, who has been working at the Erindale Pharmacy for eight years and has been a reservist in the army for four-and-a-half years, is the father of a six-month-old daughter, Kayla.
"I've just done one two-week [Army Reserve] course and I have another two-weeker coming up," he said.
"It's pretty good to get a leave pass from home when we've got a six-month old; I'd like to think that if the roles were reversed I'd be willing to do the same, but I'm not sure."
While there are no prizes to families for supporting reservists, businesses were honoured for their contribution at the Australian Defence Reserve's National Employer Support Awards on Wednesday.
Mr Peacock said he had deliberately chosen not to go into the reserves as a pharmacist.
"I wanted to do something as different as possible from my regular job," he said.
The 28-year-old trained as a combat engineer.
"Part of what we do, the gas warfare training for example, is like pharmacy in reverse," he said.
Mr Peacock's boss at Erindale Pharmacy, pharmacist in charge and business manager Beth Berry, is fully behind his military involvement.
Her son, Tom, is a pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force.
"Tom was just 17 when he went in,'' she said.
"I understand the commitment that is involved. Also, you've got to remember that you are talking to a lady who gets up for the Dawn Service every year."
Ms Berry said there were other benefits too.
"I understand the type of courses Luke [who is studying to be a corporal] is doing in leadership. His army reserve work makes him a better staff member; he is socially aware, very dedicated and just a great young man to have around."
Mr Peacock said much of his military leadership training stood him in good stead on the outside.
"If you were to pay to do a leadership course of the quality of the one that I have just done, it would cost a lot of money," he said.
"The major takeaway for me is simply that I really enjoy it. Two years ago we did five days adventure training in the Blue Mountains ... It [the reserves] pushes you to places you wouldn't otherwise go. I've learnt a lot about myself."
Ms Berry said Mr Peacock's commitment had not been an inconvenience.
"We roster around it; for me it is a positive thing, I am very pro-defence," he said.
DEFENCE FACTS:
- There are 950 Army Reserve members serving in the ACT.
- Nationally, there are 49,498 Defence Force reservists.
- There are 66 registered supportive employers of reserve personnel in the ACT and about 1200 across Australia.
- Defence says the main benefits to employers are the additional skills and attributes employees acquire as part of their military training. There is also an Employer Support Payment scheme.
