Lieutenant Anthony Basaglia’s first weeks as an Officer takes him on whirlwind trip

Less than a month ago Anthony Basaglia completed his military training. On Monday he found himself a part of one of PNG’s biggest celebrations. Read about the whirlwind start to his career.

Australian Army lieutenant Anthony Basaglia and Papua New Guinea Defence Force soldiers during a ceremonial parade to celebrate the 49th Independence Day at King Charles Oval at Wewak, Papua New Guinea. PHOTO: LCPL Riley Blennerhassett

A fresh-faced lieutenant has been given a whirlwind start to his Army career after hopping on a flight to Papua New Guinea only days after completing his officer training, before being selected to play an important role in Independence Day festivities.

Only a few weeks after Anthony Basaglia completed his officer training, did he find himself a part of one of the most important parades of the PNG calendar, and also thrown into the middle of Exercise Puk Puk.

Leading out the first guard as the guard commander, Lieutenant Basaglia said the atmosphere and crowd at the Wewak 49th Independence Day parade was something he would never forget.

Papua New Guinea Defence Force soldiers prepare to conduct a ceremonial parade to celebrate the 49th Independence Day at King Charles Oval at Wewak, Papua New Guinea. PHOTO: LCPL Riley Blennerhassett

“There were a lot of people there and just being able to see the way the locals interact, they’re always happy to see you and they always want photos, it’s a very positive environment to put yourself in, a bit better than doing a parade on a concrete square” he said.

In the midday sweltering heat, the 22-year-old stood alongside members from the PNG Defence Force, representing the strong relationship between the two countries since the Pacific nation achieved its independence from Australia in 1975.

Papua New Guinean locals celebrate the 49th Independence Day at King Charles Oval at Wewak, Papua New Guinea. PHOTO: LCPL Riley Blennerhassett

“I knew a lot of the others in the parade beforehand and that was purely by luck, everyone else was extremely welcoming and keen to have a chat, ask how things were going with the parade and give advice and take advice,” Lieutenant Basaglia said.

“I went through RMC (Royal Military College) with the guard commander for the second guard and one of the second lieutenants on the second guard as well.”

Papua New Guinean locals celebrate the 49th Independence Day at King Charles Oval at Wewak, Papua New Guinea. PHOTO: LCPL Riley Blennerhassett

Lieutenant Basaglia said joining Exercise Puk Puk as his first exercise as a commissioned officer had been extremely rewarding, crediting the strong work ethic and competency of the sappers from the 3rd Combat Engineers regiment for the success of their projects.

“They’re just keen to get up, get after it and do their job, that’s why they’re here,” he said.

“I’ve been really fortunate having a competent foreman and a lot of senior tradies on my job site.”

Papua New Guinean locals celebrate the 49th Independence Day at King Charles Oval at Wewak, Papua New Guinea. PHOTO: LCPL Riley Blennerhassett

“It is rewarding work, I’d say the tradies would probably be in a much more rewarding place having actually largely done the work and they’re definitely mindful of that everyday and that’s why they enjoy going to work and doing their job.”

Originally published as Lieutenant Anthony Basaglia’s first weeks as an Officer takes him on whirlwind trip