It was her father's 26-year career in the Air Force that influenced Amanda Palmer to join the RAAF but little did she know that when she did, her mother would follow in her footsteps.
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Corporal Palmer is now a personnel capability specialist at RAAF Base Williamtown who works alongside her mother, Corporal Linda Kay.
"I really wasn't sure what I wanted to do after high school but when dad told me the military might offer some unique opportunities I thought it was worth looking into," Corporal Palmer said.
"When mum decided to join not long after it was a bit of a surprise, but it has been great. We are in the same mustering so we often bounce ideas off each other."
Corporal Palmer said that having a husband in the Air Force and two young boys, William, aged 5, and James, 4, meant that sometimes life was "a bit of a balancing act".
"We are often juggling postings, exercises and deployments as well as family commitments," she said.
"Having mum close by for the last few postings has really made it possible, she plays a big part in making our lives run smoothly."
Corporal Kay's decision to join the RAAF was not a spur of the moment decision. She had previously applied in 1983.
"I had been accepted as a steward but unfortunately it was around the same time that I met my husband and long distance relationships were not really a thing in the 80's," Corporal Kay said.
"Once my youngest child turned 15 I thought, I need to start thinking about what comes next for me.
"Seeing how much my husband and daughter had enjoyed their life in the military, joining was an easy decision to make."
Corporal Kay said after joining she realised that a mother's job was never really done.
"Coming through basic training in my 40's meant that I became an unofficial 'course mum'," she said.
"Even though I had finished raising my own three kids I felt like I had gained another 20 to look out for during course."
Corporal Palmer and Corporal Kay both agree that taking the big step to join the RAAF had been a positive experience.
"Being in the Air Force is a great career choice, not only do you meet amazing people on a daily basis but you also have the flexibility to have a career and raise a family," Corporal Palmer said.
