Peter Jarvis
Wiradjuri
Major
Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Australian Regular Army
Medals and Awards
Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp ICAT
Afghanistan Medal
Australian Operational Service Medal – CT/SR
Australian Service Medal with clasps Timor-Leste and CT/SR
Defence Long Service Medal with 1st clasp
Australian Defence Medal
Medalha Solidariedade de Timor-Leste (Timor -Leste Solidarity Medal)
NATO Non-Article 5 Medal with clasp – ISAF
United States Army Commendation Medal
Army Combat Badge
Returned From Active Service Badge
Operational Service Badge
Army Silver Commendation
I was born and raised in Nhulunbuy, a small town at the top of Arnhem Land, which is a place I will always consider home. I had an awesome childhood filled with outdoor adventures, waterhole exploring, fishing, beach camping weekends, lots of sports and a circle of friends that I knew from my first year of school till my last year of school. It was an amazing place to grow up that very much shaped the person I am today. A place where the kids would have to flee from rogue buffalo running across the school oval, a place where fast food was non-existent and a place where we would let our dogs swim in waterholes before diving in ourselves to check for crocodiles.
Growing up I tried my hand at many sports, but my passion was always swimming and surf lifesaving. I represented my town and the Northern Territory for both on many occasions. Once I finished school, I joined the Australian Regular Army attending the Australian Defence Force Academy and subsequently graduating from the Royal Military College – Duntroon in 2006. Since graduating, I have posted to a number of units in the NT, QLD, NSW and ACT. Some of my most memorable Army experiences include deployments to East Timor in 2008 and Afghanistan in 2012, my time with Special Operations Command, my role as a White Water Kayak Adventure Training Leader, and my current posting with the 51st Far North Queensland Regiment, which is probably my favourite posting yet.
While my Army time is far but over, I am unsure where my life might take me next. For now, I am living the dream in Cairns with my wonderful wife, Renee, who has been my rock and soulmate since high school, our three incredible sons and our youngest, a strong, independent daughter who rules the roost. Our weekends are filled with rugby games, spearfishing on the Great Barrier Reef and jumping off some of the most amazing waterfalls in Australia. My decision to enlist all those years ago has accustomed me and my family to a life of sacrifices and hardships, but it has also given me a life of adventure and great friends across the Globe. It has been a privilege to experience what I have and if I had the chance to do it all over, I would sign up again.