Cranbourne’s Ben Smith is an Army Captain and in charge of one of the forward operating bases in Dili, East Timor’s capital.By Bridget Cook
CRANBOURNE man Ben Smith has been involved with many sporting teams in his life, but his new team wears army camouflage and is based in East Timor.
The 26-year-old has been promoted to the rank of Captain in the Australian Army and is now in charge of one of the forward operating bases in Dili, East Timor’s capital.
Captain Smith is the leader of more than 50 soldiers who provide medical, logistic, transport and supply support for the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force in East Timor.
“It’s my first sub-unit command, so it’s quite an honour to do that overseas,” he said. “I’ve had a really good crew here to work with, and we’ve had a big job to do, but the guys have stuck in and performed very well.”
Captain Smith said his job had been made much simpler due to the professionals around him.
“All the subject matter experts are senior soldiers who have been here a long time and know their job inside out,” he said.
“We have all been outside the wire to see the sense of appreciation we receive — it’s a morale boost seeing all the kids running alongside smiling at us and waving.”
Captain Smith went to school at Cranbourne Christian College. He was into sports at a young age and played sports including basketball, cricket, football and also enjoyed a six-year soccer stint with the Cranbourne Comets.
Captain Smith graduated from the Royal Military College on his 19th birthday. He has already served in the Solomon Islands as well as spending some time in Defence Force Recruiting.
“Recruiting was so rewarding,” he said. “You speak to someone at an event, tell them about it, and six months later you’re giving them the oath as they enlist in the Army.”
These days he is usually based in Brisbane when he’s not on overseas operations, but he still calls Cranbourne home.
“It’s a great place, everyone knows each other,” he said.
“I get back there a few times a year. Dad’s in the fire brigade, so is my sister, and Mum works at the local primary school, so I hang at home with them, recuperate and relax, or go to the local wineries.”
