Peace Signs to Dog Tags
"From drifter to soldier at 39—one woman's unlikely journey through basic training"
A Late Bloomer's Military Memoir
They Take Anyone
So, feeling confident I'd be a shoo-in, I walked into Defence Force Recruiting (DFR) in Coolangatta."I'm interested in joining," I announced.He started with the basics: my name, address, date of birth, and Australian citizenship."What year did you finish Year 12?""Ah. Well. I left school in Year 10 in 1980."He didn't even look up. "Air Force requires Year 12. Since you didn't finish high school, you're not good enough for the RAAF.""That was 23 years ago! Surely it can't still be relevant?"He slid the form aside."Join the Army. They take anyone."
Well, let's test that theory.
What Readers Are Saying
Have you ever wondered why your life has been a mismatch of careers and relocations, why you've lived untethered in a world that seemed so grounded?
Have family members muttered amongst themselves that you could do so much better if you just settled down and focused? Then consider the Life and Times of Kath O'Brien, author of Peace Signs to Dog Tags, whose remarkable life carried her to far corners of the globe, through experiences both awesome and terrifying, to a future that she could never have imagined but found herself prepared to live because of those experiences. The courage to live a life so contrary to social norms is rare. If you are one of those rare souls, her story will affirm the rightness of your life regardless of its nonconformity.
— Theresa H., USA
An incredible, laugh-out-loud insight into one woman's journey becoming an Australian Soldier at the age of 39. Facing long odds, her sheer will, determination, and brilliant sense of humour make this a very enjoyable and inspiring read.
— Frances Burns
A personal journey of extreme adaptation, a story of contrast from globe-trotting civilian to soldier at 39, taking orders from 22-year-old corporals. This book is for anyone who has started a career later in life and faced the challenges of integrating into organisations with strict systems, rigid processes, and high expectations.
— DJC
The Journey
At thirty-nine, after nearly two decades of world-wandering freedom, Kath made her boldest move yet—she enlisted in the Army.And just like that, four years stretched ahead of her with no way out. One free spirit + four years of military discipline = recipe for chaos.Peace Signs to Dog Tags is the raw, honest, and often hilarious account of an unlikely warrior's journey through basic Army training at Kapooka. Though she was far from a conventional, textbook recruit, Kath proved everyone wrong about what makes a soldier. The Army recognised something in her that matched an old Japanese proverb: fall down seven times, get up eight.From caravan parks to military bases, this memoir chronicles the physical challenges, the epic failures, the unexpected victories, and the remarkable personal growth that come with starting over in your fourth decade. Kath learned to salute, to stand tall, and to find strength she never knew existed.
For anyone who has ever wondered if they can handle a complete life transformation or if grit can overcome lack of natural ability, this story proves that yes, oftentimes, resilience surpasses perfection.
The Author
Growing up in a small country town in the beautiful Tweed Valley in Northern NSW, she was always someone's daughter or someone's sister; rarely just herself. With her mum shaping young minds as the local schoolteacher and her dad earning a reputation as the town's fishing legend, to uncover her true self, the third child had to step away from familiar expectations and seek her own destiny.Known as the gutsy one, she was the beloved single friend, the ever-willing plus one at social gatherings who wore sarongs and lived in a caravan near the beach.Driven by curiosity, she set out to see Australia and the world, trading security for the better part of twenty years of freedom. Lifelong learning became her guiding principle as each odd job not only funded her travels but also offered fresh lessons and unexpected wisdom.The universe delivered the Army next. At 39 and hardly the obvious recruit, the experience was gruelling, but she endured, ultimately serving eighteen years full-time. Days after leaving Kapooka, she met her future husband, marrying at 41 and welcoming a child at 43, proving that life's greatest transformations often begin when least expected.
Kath wrote this book for anyone standing at the edge of change, wondering if it's possible to reinvent themselves. Her journey shows that it's never too late for transformation. With raw honesty, humour, and grit, she hopes her story inspires readers to take a crack, embrace resilience, and write their own extraordinary chapters, no matter when or how they begin.
Ready to Read Kath's Story?
Get your copy today and follow one Australian Army veteran's journey from sarongs to camouflage—proving it's never too late to transform your life