Our People in VIC
Daniel Ferguson and Brett Ferguson - The Ferguson brothers catch up on deployment
It’s not everyday two brothers have to travel halfway around the world to catch up with each other.
For Sergeant Daniel Ferguson, 27, and Captain Brett Ferguson, 33, who both grew up in Ballarat in Victoria, that's exactly what they did.
Their paths crossed at the Force Support Unit (FSU) in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO), where Daniel is deployed as base accommodation Sergeant and will have his skills as a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) utilised. He is usually based in Australia with 10 Force Support Battalion in Townsville.
"We hadn't seen each other for about seven months and it was great when I found out we would be seeing each other again here," Daniel said.
"Brett hasn't been deployed overseas before and it was a great opportunity to catch up."
Daniel arrived at FSU in late July and has so far enjoyed his deployment.
"The weather is a bit hot and intense and it's been a steep learning curve sitting behind a computer instead of going out and running physical training classes," Daniel said.
"After things settle down a bit and we'll get stuck into training."
He said there was not a shortage of people to talk to where he is working either.
"It's been good too, as I've got a lot of mates from my unit in Australia working with me here."
For Captain Brett Ferguson, who usually works at Headquarters Joint Operations Command in Canberra as a watch keeper, said he was looking forward to deploying to Afghanistan as a part of Operation Slipper. His visit to FSU was to complete the Reception, Staging, Onwards Movement and Integration course, which prepares all ADF personnel for deployments in the MEAO.
"My job in Afghanistan will be to assist with the coordination of coalition security for the Afghan elections," Brett said.
"I think it will be good for me, both personally and professionally and to finally experience a deployment will be an unreal experience."
Both brothers said they joined the Army after studying at Wendoree Secondary College to get a decent job and to see the world.
"I first joined in 1996 with the Ready Reserve, serving in the Royal Australian Infantry Corps with the 8/9th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment and then went to 6RAR," Daniel said.
"In 2000 I then changed jobs to become a PTI."
In 2004 Daniel deployed to the Solomon Islands as a PTI, keeping the other deployed soldiers fit.
"It was an excellent experience, apart from running fitness classes I also ran adventure training like snorkelling and battlefield tours," Daniel said.
Brett joined the Army in 1994 also as a Ready Reservist.
"My unit was the 1st Armoured Regiment and later I transferred to the Regular Army in 1997. In 2006 I was commissioned as a Captain after being a Sergeant for three years," Brett said.
"My short term career goal will be to gain a sub-unit command of a Squadron at 1st Armoured Regiment in Darwin in 2013."
When Daniel returns from his time overseas in April he has something important at home to attend to.
"I'm getting married in May next year to my partner Ashleigh Bachmann, who is also an Army PTI in Townsville at 3 Combat Service Regiment," Daniel said.
"It'll be great to get back to home life and just relax."
For Brett when he returns from Afghanistan he said he is looking forward to seeing his family again.
"I'll have about six days off with my wife Kellie, my six year-old son Darcy and daughter Emerald who is three," Brett said.
"Also in November our younger brother Andrew is getting married and I'm his best man. On the way back to Australia when I see Daniel again at FSU, we'll write a speech for the wedding day."