For Corporal Jerry Jones and Private Frank Seden, morale is best served low and slow.
Barbeque, it turns out, is about more than just food.
“It’s how I deliver good vibes,” Corporal Jones said.
The 1st Brigade soldiers recently shared their goodwill with the rest of Battlegroup Goanna in Nhulunbuy, East Arnhem, during Exercise Predator’s Run.
In a dusty staging area just outside of town, Corporal Jones and Private Seden sliced chunks of pork from a pig on the spit.
Soldiers, silhouetted against G-Wagon headlights, stood around waiting for the pit masters to call everyone to the meal.
They were drawn to the roasting pork after smoke had wafted through their position since morning routine.
“The guys go on task all day and come back to a ration pack, but if we can do something like this for them, it’s instant morale,” Private Seden said.
An officer from 1st Combat Engineer Regiment (1CER) purchased the pig to thank his troops before posting out, and it was up to Corporal Jones and Private Seden to manage the spit.
The battlegroup was in Nhulunbuy visiting schools and helping set up the Garma Festival before beginning littoral operations and the exercise’s tactical phase.
Although slow-roasting a pig in the field might be new, these pit masters have served up “instant morale” for years.
1CER’s Corporal Jones is a command support clerk, but cooks for aged-care facilities and men’s mental health groups in his spare time.
“After every meeting, the guys leave happy; they’ve got nice food in their belly and they’ve had a chat with like-minded people,” he said.
He believed there was something contemplative about slow-cooking meat, which could take anywhere from three to eight hours.
Time spent around the pit gave people a chance to share.
“They’re chowing down, I’m chatting with them about my own struggles and then they throw it back at me,” he said.
Although a less formal arrangement, Private Seden helps others when he can, too.
At Christmas, the 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery driver’s house is filled with 1st Brigade soldiers who can’t make it home for the holidays.
He remembered being alone during Christmas and didn’t want others to experience the same thing.
The soldiers stand around the smoker in his backyard, connecting with old mates and making new ones.
Private Seden said the value was in connecting with one another – good meat was a bonus.
