When Paul-Raymond James, 31, is not protecting the community as a Senior Constable with Liverpool police he is serving the community as a Corporal in the Army Reserves. He speaks with Bianca Lipari from the Liverpool Leader about his double life.
Why did you join the Army Reserves?
I joined 13 years ago for a couple of reasons. There is a long family history of military service through my dad, grandfather and great grandfather. For me, I was a uni student at the time so it gave me a way of trying to improve myself through leadership and mateship - I was also playing footy at the time and it was a carry on from that. I am a strong believer in Australians serving the community.
As a police officer for the past eight years, do you recall why you joined in the first place?
Same reasons really. I have a strong belief in the civil service. Also, the influence of my father, he was a cop. I had a lot of respect for people in the police force.
In what way are they similar?
Both are large organisations with a lot of history. In both you have a formal rank structure and discipline, in the army the discipline is stronger. They both have an inter-connecting role. But one is international and the other is domestic.
What is the best part of being an army reservist?
The mateship and the opportunity to travel. I've done a lot of travel. The opportunity to be deployed on operation, the skills and training I've received. I can apply that to my normal, everyday life.
How do you juggle the two?
I pretty much restrict everything else I do. On my days off from the police I am doing army reserve stuff. I sacrifice my days off and my annual leave to do extra training with the reseves or deployments. I often have to apologise to mates for not being available, and it is full-on. But I try to to allow each to effect the other. For example on Tuesdays I get up at 5am, finish work at 6pm and then from 7pm I'm at Holsworthy Army Barracks. I don't get home until 11pm.
Will you continue with both?
I see both as a long-term career.
What was your best experience as an army reservist?
The best operation I've been on was Operation Resolute which was a boarder protection operation with the navy guys. I spent Christmas and New Year at Christmas Island.