Proud to serve while planning her career

Pte Myleisha Masso grew up in Townsville, where the Army’s presence is almost unavoidable.

So when the 25-year-old decided to leave home and find a career, Defence was a ready choice.

“I thought it would be something very purposeful. I’m from a family of six and I wanted to do something good for myself and my family,” Pte Masso said.

“It was a good opportunity to grow. And while it sounds clichéd, I really wanted to push myself.”

As a distribution operator with the 7CSSB based at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane, Pte Masso conducts warehousing, supply and combat logistics operations.

“Quey’s [quartermasters] are really important, especially in the field environment. If the water, ammo and food isn’t taken out, the mission’s not going to be completed,” Pte Masso said.

Part of 7 Bde, members of 7CSSB recently spent up to eight weeks in the field supporting back-to-back exercises in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area north of Rockhampton.

Nearly 2000 military personnel and hundreds of vehicles were involved in Exercise Diamond Run, a combined-arms training activity, which was followed almost immediately by 1 Div’s Exercise Pozieres Run, Army’s largest exercise of the year.

“We hold everything, especially at the main Q [quartermaster]. We have everything from pens to weapons, right up to the really expensive items,” Pte Masso said.

“I like to think of it as customer service as well. We deal with many different people wanting lots of different things.”    

Pte Masso is the first person in her immediate family to serve in the ADF, something that gives her a great sense of satisfaction. 

“It’s definitely made my parents proud. My mum’s over the moon,” Pte Masso said.

“Her background is Kalkadoon and Kudjala, so my family’s from that Cloncurry, Mt Isa, Charters Towers area.

“It feels good to me, knowing that I’m a part of both cultures and that I’m here doing something for my country.”  

Pte Masso, who will post to 6RAR next year, said she planned to use her time in the military to set herself up for success in the future.  

“I want to start studying. I’d like to become a nurse. I want to be able to help people,” she said.

“There’s a couple of options to do that, you can either become an officer and do it that way, but there’s also a few different study programs available.”