He was conscripted into the 19th Intake of National Service and was posted to the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion as a recruit on 28 January 1970. He undertook 10 weeks of physically hard and mentally challenging training which was designed to weed out those who would not be suitable for Army service. Not all got through. While training Reg was allocated to the Royal Australian Artillery and on completion of his recruit training Gunner McGorey was posted to the 123 Training Battery at Holsworthy on 7 April 1970 as a trainee. He completed the 7 week course and qualified as a Gun Number, a qualification required to serve on the artillery pieces being used by the Australian Army in South Vietnam.
Posted to 12 Field Regiment on completion of his training Reg marched into the Regiment in Townsville on 3 June 1970 and posted to “A” Field Battery and allocated to the gunline. While with “A” Battery Reg undertook many exercises around the training areas of North Queensland with the battery to ensure the gunnery skills and expertise required for operational service in South Vietnam were honed to a high level.
Reg had operational service in South Vietnam with ‘A’ Field Battery from 5 February 1971 until 20 October 1971 serving at Fire Support Bases around the Province in support of 3 RAR.
Reg discharged on 15 November 1971 having completed his period of engagement as a National Serviceman.
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