Materiel reward

By EMMA SUN
A MOUNT Evelyn defence force officer became one of eight members of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Military Division as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Brigadier Mike Phelps, 53, has been with the Australian Army for nearly 36 years and is currently working as the Director General Integrated Soldier Systems within the Defence Materiel Organisation.
Brigadier Phelps was very modest in receiving the AM and credited those around him for contributing towards his recognition.
“I am very delighted and honoured and a bit humbled to have been considered for and receive the AM,” he said.
“I find very personally satisfying to receive the recognition for the award but it’s also a reflection of the many people I worked with and their efforts.”
He labelled the prestigious award as the “bonus” for a job that he already enjoyed immensely.
“You do the job because it’s worthwhile and it’s a wonderful career,” he said.
“(The AM) is not something you should expect but it’s certainly what you might call a bonus that is very welcome as recognition of the efforts you put in over the years.”
Brigadier Phelps started in the artillery and moved up the ranks before working behind the scenes for the military.
He said it was quite a change, from being trained to participate in combat operations to now providing support for soldiers.
His current role sees him looking after all the equipment used by a soldier on operations, which includes clothing, armour and weapons.
Prior to this position, Brigadier Phelps was Director General Land Manoeuvres Systems with the DMO.
All up he has about 20 years’ experience in material acquisition and providing supplies.
“It’s intensely rewarding to listen to the service personnel on what their concerns are on the battlefield and provide them with solutions that they need and that they have a significant part in developing,” he said.
“Everyone aspires to move up in any organisation and I’ve been very privileged to get up to brigadier in the Australian Army and I get a lot of satisfaction out of the job I do in providing materiel support to service personnel.”
Brigadier Phelps is currently a member of the Mount Evelyn RSL and enjoys attending ceremony days organised by the RSL and helping out where he is required.
RSL president Roger Boness congratulated Brigadier Phelps on his honours.
“Well done to Mike – we’re all proud of his achievements,” he said.
Despite his passion for his career, Brigadier Phelps said he be retiring in the coming months to allow for future talents to bloom.
“I’m in the twilight of my career and I anticipate that I’ll probably be separating from defence within the next 12 months,” he said.
“After 36 years on the job, it’s time to move on and pursue alternatives.
“I’ve had a long and fulfilling career and it’s time for me to look for other careers and to clear the way for others to be given the opportunity to move up in the defence force.”