Major General drops by for prestigious presentation
Captain John Land OAM spent his last day in Army uniform earlier this month, the same day he received a third Federation Star recognising 51 years serving in the Defence Force.
Making the presentation, Major General Michael Krause AM said it was a rare achievement to receive two Federation Star clasps (long service recognition), but to receive a third was extraordinary.
“Few people would achieve this, 40 years service is a significant contribution but when presenting this third Federation Star to John, I suddenly realised what service really is,” MAJ GEN Krause said.
The opportunity to have the presence of MAJ GEN Krause on site at the Australian Army Infantry Museum along Range Road at Singleton was also a chance for Private Stacey Kitcher to receive her promotion to Lance Corporal, something she didn’t anticipate.
“I was here to see John receive his Federation Star but certainly wasn’t expecting the promotion,” she said.
Captain Land is now Mr Land after his retirement but he continues to hold the role of Museum Curator and it is Lance Corporal Kitcher who is his assistant and she is taking every opportunity to learn all she can from a man she admires and respects so much.
Transferring from the Royal Australian Corps of Transport to the Royal Australian Army Ordinance Corps last year meant that her Corporal status went back to Private despite her 18 years in the Army Reserve.
Landing her job in the museum, researching Army history and learning more each day has left no regrets as she has found a role she absolutely loves.
Looking back on his 51 years of service, Mr Land said when he took on an Army apprenticeship as a fitter and turner when he was just over 15 years of age, he never in a million years thought he would remain in the Army for his entire career.
“I thought, like most, I would do 20 years and then retire but I ended up joining the Army Reserve on my retirement and was appointed Assistant Curator of the museum and then Curator and Manager ,” Mr Land said.
The highlight of his career was the 2011 announcement of $11million to build a new museum. Mr Land said he greatly valued the opportunity to have input into the design and layout of the new facility, an experience he described as humbling.
Both Mr Land and Lance Corporal Kitcher thanked their family for supporting their military careers.
It often sees them spending time away from family and they both know, without this constant support in their lives, they would not have had the opportunities and life experiences the Army offers them.