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My name was Gunner Timmermans.
Timmy to those who knew me.
I enlisted into Artillery in 2010 3 days after I graduated high school.
I was posted to 16 Air Land Regiment (formerly Air Defence), deployed in 2012 at only 19, was involved with military rep sport and discharged in 2014.
Now my name is Ayrlie Sims.
Adjusting to life when I got out, knowing only the military adult life, was tough. I put my friends and family through their paces and, in short, had my struggles but like to think I've overcome them.
Now having a husband who's also ex-military who understands the struggle helps me get through life not feeling so alone. Constantly talking and being open about when I'm down and how I'm feeling with a handful of people I'm lucky to have in my circle is how I've come as far as I have today.
Since becoming a civvi, I've surrounded myself with like-minded, positive and influential people. I've been brave enough to trust my heart and tune my mind into that to move forward with an open-minded and positive outlook. Sure, I get dark days too, but I have a village around me lifting me back up. Sometimes I just need a hand to see them, but they're always there.
I was LCPL Williams, I am now Sarah Brown.
I enlisted in to the ARA RAAMC as a medic in 2014, and transferred to ARes in 2021. I am now in the process of discharging from the defence force altogether.
To put it bluntly, I did not enjoy my time in the army. Sure, I made some awesome mates, who I am still friends with and I do have some great memories. I even have a husband and 2 children as a result of my service, however, as for the actual day-to-day army work.. I hated it. And everyone knew I hated it.
The best way I coped and still do cope with stress is through fitness and footy. I love to get outside and have a kick of the footy, run around and chase the ball, bump in to others and lay a tackle. I couldn’t imagine my life without footy in it. I did lose footy for a few years, but it has since come back to me and I couldn’t be happier.
WO1 Travis Maylin and his battle buddies.
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