Never too late to serve your country
Lieutenant proof age only number
LIEUTENANT Kathryn Staughton is proof that when it comes to following your dreams and serving your country, it’s never too late.
“I commissioned as an officer in the Australian Army in January 2017 because I thought I had a skill-set that I could offer and I was looking for a challenge to demonstrate that us ‘old girls’ still have it,” the Clifton woman said.
LT Staughton is on her first deployment as a scientific officer with Task Group Taji 6 at Taji Military Complex in Iraq, where she has been based since December 2017.
“I work at the Role 1E medical facility here at Camp Taji, providing general health support to the Task Group, and in the Pathology lab in my role as a Scientific Officer,” she said.
While being on her first deployment in her first year of service has been a highlight of her military career to date, it’s the challenges of army life that LT Staughton finds rewarding.
“Forging friendships under difficult circumstances with amazing people from different nations has been a big part of my experience, as well as being able to extend myself personally and ‘think outside the box’.
“Being here has taught me more about myself than I ever thought possible.”
There have been other highlights to deployment she didn’t anticipate.
“Flying over Baghdad in a helicopter is a ‘money can’t buy’ experience and the local baklava is just amazing,” she said.
Despite the experiences of deployment life, LT Staughton is looking forward to returning to life at home with her daughter Stella and spending time with her parents, Elwyn and Daph Hargens.
“Spending downtime with my family and friends is first on my ‘to do’ list when I get home. I look forward to having a laugh about my adventures with them when I get back,” Lt Staughton said.