Colour bearer, Flying Officer Emma Hayden, upheld not just the Governor-General's Banner, but Air Force's leading values at the recent 1 Recruit Training Unit (1RTU) graduation parade at RAAF Base Wagga on March 18.
In charge of the Governor-General's Banner during the parade, which celebrated the transition of 52 untrained civilians into capable aviators, the colour bearer described the honour as both professionally significant and deeply personal.
"The Governor-General's Banner is a symbol of the unit's identity, pride and honour; a connection to our past, those who have trained at 1RTU and those who have served our country," Flying Officer Hayden said.
"I've always enjoyed the ceremonial parts of the RAAF that connect us to our history, so I feel honoured to carry this symbol, which represents everything the Australian Defence Force stands for - courage, integrity and commitment to service."
For most in Flying Officer Hayden's role as a personnel capability officer, carrying the Governor-General's Banner is not an opportunity that arises often.
It is an experience unique to postings like RAAF Base Wagga, where the rhythm of recruit training brings with it ceremonial responsibilities and a connection to RAAF tradition that few other postings can offer.
Flying Officer Hayden posted to this base from 23 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley at the start of the year, with her husband, Corporal Julian Hayden - a recruit instructor at 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Kapooka.
'The most critical and integral part of [an aviator's] journey is at the start because the standards you set at the beginning of your career set the bar for the rest of it.'
Flying Officer Hayden's responsibilities are varied and extensive, including incident management, unit health and welfare.
Considering how much she enjoyed her own experience at Officer Training School at RAAF Base East Sale, Flying Officer Hayden was delighted to have the opportunity to deliver administrative law lessons to Air Force's newest recruits too.
"The sphere of influence you have as an officer at a training establishment is quite large. I'm aware of that," she said.
"I describe being at 1RTU as being at the tip of the spear - training is so important. The most critical and integral part of [an aviator's] journey is at the start because the standards you set at the beginning of your career set the bar for the rest of it.
"This is why I get a lot of satisfaction from instructing, and I would love to do more as capacity allows.
"Instructing recruits fills my cup."
Squadron Warrant Officer 1RTU Warrant Officer David Harding discussed the significance of the parade.
"The significance of including the 1RTU colour into our graduation parades truly is a privilege, and not one that we ever take lightly," Warrant Officer Harding said.
"I believe it would easily be the most paraded colour in all of Air Force.
"Flying Officer Hayden is an impressive junior officer and carries out the role of colour bearer extremely well. Her dedication to all ceremonial customs and traditions are nothing short of exceptional."
The second recruit graduation parade for the year was hosted by 1RTU Commanding Officer Wing Commander Jodie Mason. The reviewing officer was Air Commodore Paul Deighton, Air Power Fellow at Air Force Headquarters.
