At just 16, Private Jaylahn Hearn knew his life was at a crossroads.
His room inside the austere Brisbane Youth Detention Centre was covered with posters touting positive affirmations. His bed was made to military spec.
Down one path was a future with Army. He tries not to think about the road not taken.
“I was trying to get away from that life. I wanted to stop the irrelevant negative self-talk,” Private Hearn said.
“I wanted to change my life and Army was a big step.
“That place was not good but there were good people who helped me move forward,” he said.
Private Hearn’s life changed the day he met then Indigenous Specialist Recruitment Team members, Army Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Serge Pirard and Air Force Corporal Karla Sewell-Blacklock.
Recruiters are frequently invited to the Brisbane Youth Education and Training Centre, a school within the detention centre, to speak to children with rehabilitation prospects.
“We met Jaylahn and discussed why he wanted to join. The case workers said this kid was special and he really wanted to change his life,” WO1 Serge Pirard said.
“Jaylahn was in and out of detention facilities and foster homes almost his entire life but he was never convicted of anything.
“He had a lot of barriers put in front of him. People can have problems enlisting at the best of times – this kid fought every step of the way.”
Inspired by WO1 Pirard and Corporal Sewell-Blacklock, Private Hearn gained his Year 10 equivalency before joining the Indigenous Pre-Recruit Program.
He even had a hand from two former Army corporals-turned-youth detention workers, who introduced Private Hearn to military-style physical training.
“I got photos from the youth workers of the kid’s room with all the military posters and motivational posters. They told me he was doing everything he could,” WO1 Pirard said.
‘I’m so passionate about this kid because 26 years ago someone took a chance on me – I saw myself in him.’
Fast forward to late June, after a months of intense training, there’s an almost palpable pride among recruits about to march out from 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Kapooka.
Of the hundred or so soldiers who stood shoulder to shoulder on the brisk morning, one new private stood taller than most.
As Private Hearn shook the hand of then Governor General David Hurley and received the Cameron Baird VC MG Award for Most Outstanding Soldier, the now RSM WO1 Pirard and Air Force Corporal who were with him every step of the way clapped loudest of all.
“I’m so passionate about this kid because 26 years ago someone took a chance on me – I saw myself in him,” WO1 Pirard said.
The soldiers’ stories are similar though generations apart.
Facing custody, a magistrate suspended WO1 Pirard’s sentence so he could enlist.
Almost three decades later, he is the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps’ most senior soldier and School of Ordnance Regimental Sergeant Major.
“It was a bad lifestyle and people think it’s a hard thing to get away from, but if you put your mind to it, you can do anything,” Private Hearn said.
“I’m grateful for all the people that have helped me get to where I need to be and I’ll always remember that no matter how bad the situation, I can keep going.”
Private Hearn’s example was not lost on other kids he saw day in, day out at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre.
Now the South-East Queensland Indigenous Specialist Recruitment Team leader, Corporal Sewell-Blacklock continues to visit the detention centre where she first met Private Hearn more than two years ago.
“The whole culture and attitude has changed,” Corporal Sewell-Blacklock said.
“Every time we go back there, the kids are asking how Jaylahn is and saying they want to be just like Jaylahn.”
