Supporting Australia’s material assistance to Ukraine has secured a soldier from the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) the Hassett Award for the first time in the battalion’s history.
Hassett Award recipient Corporal Joshua Green, centre, with Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Johnson, left, and Warrant Officer Class One Anthony Jones. Story and photo by Private Nicholas Marquis.
At a ceremony in Canberra on November 24, the recipient, Corporal Joshua Green, said it meant a lot to receive the Hassett award, which recognises outstanding junior leadership.
“It’s the first time a member from the 3rd Battalion has won it, so it’s a massive honour,” he said.
Qualified on the M113 AS4 armoured personnel carrier, Corporal Green was hand-selected as part of the gifting program.
“I was told to come up with a training program for the armoured vehicles,” Corporal Green said.
“We got tasked to come up with a training package and skin the cat, and I did.”
Corporal Green said he worked hard at his job and got recognised for it.
“This year, 3RAR has done really well,” Corporal Green said.
“We’ve won the DoG [Duke of Gloucester] Cup, the OSCMAR trophy for battle endurance and the Morrison Trophy for drill.
“Now, we got lucky and jagged the Hassett.”
With the highlight of his career being section commander at A Company, Corporal Green said his goals were to develop reconnaissance and sniper capabilities in the battalion.
Commanding Officer 3RAR Lieutenant Colonel Chris Johnson said the award was important to the battalion as Sir Francis Hassett commanded the battalion in Korea.
“Corporal Green is an outstanding leader,” Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson said.
“He represents the best of the battalion and the best of the regiment. We are very proud of him.
“It’s great to see the Hassett Award coming home to Old Faithful.”
To receive the award, a member from each battalion in The Royal Australian Regiment and School of Infantry is nominated to the RAR Foundation.
A recent decision has been made to have the award displayed in the soldiers’ mess in the School of Infantry so future junior leaders will be inspired to win it.
