2017 LIFE MEMBER
BRUCE SCHMIDTCHEN
 Bruce Schmidtchen
enlisted in the Australian Army in 1964 at the
age of 18. He completed his recruit training at
the 1st Recruit Training Battalion,
Kapooka NSW after which he was posted to 2nd Battalion, The
Royal Australian Regiment as a Rifleman.
After a short period of time with 2RAR Bruce was
posted to the 5th Battalion, the Tiger Battalion
and served in C Company on the battalion's first
tour of duty in Viet Nam in 1966 -1967. He was
wounded in action during Operation Beaumauris at
Xa An Nhut on the 14th February 1967 but
remained with the battalion for its' subsequent
return to Australia.
Bruce returned to Viet Nam with the battalion
during its second tour in 1969 -1970 where he
served in the Mortar Platoon with the rank of
Corporal. He was attached to C Company as the Mobile
Fire Controller (MFC). He later moved to
Battalion Headquarters where he joined the Fire
Support Co-ordination Centre in the Battalion
Command Post. He was later Medivaced home to
Australia, but remained a member of the
battalion on its return to Australia.
He was then posted to 3TB at Singleton becoming a
Platoon Sergeant and later served with 3RAR and
6RAR before being promoted to the rank of WO1,
RSM. Bruce was commissioned in the rank of
Captain in 1990 where he took up a position as
an Information Technology Officer.
He was subsequently promoted to the rank of
Major and after a distinguished career spanning
35 years, Bruce retired from the Army in 1999.
He joined the 5RAR Association while still
serving and quickly volunteered to join the
National Committee of the Association. He also
accepted the position of 5RAR State
Representative, Queensland in 2005. Bruce
attended almost all of the National Committee
meetings held in Sydney and funded these trips
from Brisbane at his own expense.
In 2007 Bruce was appointed Chairman of the
committee to plan the 5RAR 45th Anniversary
Reunion held on the Gold Coast in 2010. He
continued as a member of both the National
Committee and as State Representative for
Queensland during this time Bruce also became a
key member of the working group that re-wrote
the 5RAR Association Constitution that led the
way to the Association becoming an Incorporated
Association in October 2014.
Because of the resounding success of the 2010,
5RAR Reunion, Bruce was invited to be the
Chairman of the planning committee for the 50th
Anniversary Reunion of the Battalion held
on the Gold Coast in 2015. His leadership of his
team and coordination of all activities was
outstanding which was central to this being the
most successful reunion conducted by the
Association.
He is also a contributing member on the
Editorial Team for the 5RAR newsletter TIGER
TALES, a position which he has held for the past
8 years and continues to do so.
Bruce has served 5RAR and the 5RAR Association
with outstanding loyalty and dedication for more
than 20 years giving his time freely.
He is an excellent candidate for the appointment
as a Life Member to the 5RAR Association Inc.
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