Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) David John Gibbons, a sapper with 41 years’ service under his belt, has a story as diverse as the landscapes he has tackled.
In 1983, following in the footsteps of an uncle who served in the Army in World War 2, and a cousin that was serving as an engineer, WO1 Gibbons began his military journey at Kapooka – south-west of Wagga Wagga in NSW.
“I guess it was something I sort of grew up thinking I’d like to do,” WO1 Gibbons said.
“I liked the idea of working with Defence because you kept moving around and you didn’t do your same job in the same place all the time.”
After recruit training, WO1 Gibbons completed corps training at the School of Military Engineering and drivers’ courses at Puckapunyal in Victoria, before heading off to his first posting in North Queensland.
Serving his initial years as a field engineer/engineer driver at 2nd/3rd Field Engineer Regiment in Townsville, WO1 Gibbons transferred to become a plant operator in 1988 and started honing his horizontal construction skills.
“Within the corps I learned how to operate most of the heavy vehicles Army had at that time and I completed the fuel operators course so I could learn how to refuel equipment in the field,” he said.
“Then I became a plant operator and was trained in how to operate all of the plant equipment.”
Having served in various roles, from instructor and operator to construction supervisor and works manager, WO1 Gibbons’ experiences have allowed him to contribute to a range of civil projects, from building the runway for RAAF Base Scherger to overseeing the construction of vital infrastructure in Afghanistan.
“As a corporal, you were a foreman, an instructor and backup operator that worked on construction tasks. Anything from building a loading ramp to building six to seven kilometres of road,” WO1 Gibbons said, detailing his early roles.
“As a sergeant, you’d supervise the whole construction site, or sometimes multiple sites.”
While posted to 19th Chief Engineer Works, WO1 Gibbons had the opportunity to help build community housing, roads and health clinics through the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Programme (AACAP).
“I’ve been involved in a couple of AACAPs including the planning, delivery and closure of the full scope of works,” he said.
WO1 Gibbons’ dedication to service extends well beyond Australia’s borders and includes supporting the safe disposal of ex-World War 2 munitions in Bougainville, and reconstructing mosques, hospitals, nursing outstations and a radio station in Afghanistan.
WO1 Gibbons was heavily involved in the development and introduction into service of ‘Project Paladin’ the up-armoured plant equipment for Operation Slipper.
“They needed the equipment to protect operators from small-arms fire, so we had to go through and work out where you would have the armour and where you’d have your viewing spaces and windows so that you could still actually operate the machine,” WO1 Gibbons said.
“Managing the weight of the vehicle was a serious consideration, protecting the operator, while still being light enough to move and do the job.
“Ballistic glass weighs twice as much as steel.”
In early 2023, WO1 Gibbons transitioned to part-time service and later that year he was presented with the Federation Star for 40 years of service by Commander Forces Command, Major General Susan Coyle, at Gallipoli Barracks.
WO1 Gibbons now enjoys mentoring junior officers in his position as a works manager for 12th Chief Engineer Works, drawing upon his extensive experience to help them learn how to apply their civilian project and construction management skills in a military environment.
“It’s a fantastic unit to work for and it’s great to be able to help the other members of the unit move out into the Pacific and support our neighbouring nations,” WO1 Gibbons said.
Reflecting on his long Army career, WO1 Gibbons emphasised one of the things he values most from his time in Defence: “It’s the mateship”.
“Being part of something that not everybody can be part of,” he said.
“It’s a magic feeling of belonging.”
