Lieutenant Colonel Elizabeth Stephens beamed with pride as she inspected the last 120 soldiers to graduate from Blamey Barracks, before 2018.

It was also the final two platoons to complete their training under her command.

The recruits from 23 and 24 platoons of Charlie Company were among the 593 women and 2396 men to complete the arduous, challenging and sometimes gruelling regime at the First Recruit Training Battalion – 1RTB – this year.  

Colonel Stephens on Friday said she was filled with joy as army’s newest soldiers took to the parade ground, in a ceremony steeped in tradition. 

“There’s a magic that happens here,” Col Stephens said. “From the moment the recruits first arrive, to the day they march out. They realise they can achieve so much more than they ever thought possible.”

The sportsman, volunteer, athlete and foster mum said it would be sad to leave Wagga as she moved on from a role she described as “the best in the world”. 

It comes amid a changing of the guard at the First Recruit Training Battalion – 1RTB – with Lieutenant Colonel Roger McMurray filling the boots of Col Stephens. 

Col Stephens said 1RTB’s success was due to the hard work of staff – the recruit instructors, who embodied and fostered the qualities of Australian soldiers. 

“It’s really filled my cup,” she said. “To have a role in shaping army’s future has been a privilege.”

Across two years, Col Stephens was responsible for more than 1000 recruits and 250 staff members at any given time. 

She leaves behind a legacy of inspiration, with no challenge having been too great on the path to her dream job at Kapooka.

Commandant Mick Garraway praised the efforts of his former commanding officer. 

“Colonel Stephens is one of the fittest officers I’ve ever served with,” Colonel Garraway said. “She has lead one of the busiest training establishments to a really high standard.”

He said a new way of shooting, and improved first aid and physical training had “brought out good soldier skills” this year, with injuries at record lows. 

He said the majority of female and indigenous soldiers who went through the Recruit Development Wing had already progressed into 1RTB.

“That has been a great initiative,” Col Garraway said. “Eighteen-months-ago we would have turned them away.”

Kapooka has wound down for the Christmas season, following Friday’s parade. The remaining 157 women and 366 recruits will return to their training in the new year.