That decision has turned in to a fulfilling career for the former local, who is still in the Army today with the rank of Warrant Officer Class One.
WO1 Faint will make his second trip back to Deniliquin in 16 years this weekend, to attend the first Anzac Day service since the installation of a new plaque at the Deniliquin Cenotaph.
His is one of 48 names included on the new panel, which was produced to recognise locals from all conflicts to date who had not been recognised on the memorial.
‘‘Anzac Day is a time for me to reflect on those that have gone before me and to remember those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for me to live the life I live in this great country,’’ WO1 Faint said.
‘‘It’s also a time for me to reflect on my own service and what that has meant to me.’’
During his service, WO1 Faint has been based in Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, and the United Kingdom.
He has served in Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Philippines, and Bougainville.
‘‘We are one of the best equipped and trained defence forces in the world, and to be part of that organisation has been a privilege,’’ he said.
‘‘The changes that have occurred during the 30 years I have served, to bring us into the future, have been quite significant.’’
WO1 Faint is based in Canberra with his wife Johanne, step-daughter Kirsty (who has two children of her own) and their son Toby who is in Year 12.
He said he has fond memories of growing up in Deniliquin with his sisters Sasha an Melanie, where he attended both Edward Public School and Deniliquin High School.
‘‘I was like most other kids; I played footy with the Deni Rovers, hung out down at McLean Beach during summer and basically hung out with friends,’’ he said.
WO1 Faint is the son of Noeline and Barry (dec) Faint, who left Deniliquin for Tenterfield about 16 years ago.
Mrs Faint said she recalls the Deniliquin Pastoral Times doing a feature story on her son joining the Army 30 years ago, and expressed her gratitude that his hometown is honouring him on the cenotaph memorial.
‘‘We’re all very proud of him,’’ Mrs Faint said.
The new dedication plaque, which was installed on the cenotaph facing Deniliquin Waring Gardens on Tuesday, has been a 10 year project for the Deniliquin RSL Sub-branch.
The sub-branch received $4000 from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs ‘Saluting Their Service’ program for the project, and contributed the rest of the almost $10,000 cost.
It is to commemorate service members who grew up in, significantly contributed to, or lived in Deniliquin throughout their lives.