Darrin Tapp

Darrin Tapp was born in the north-eastern Tasmanian township of St Marys and grew up in the tin mining town of Rossarden at the foothills of the picturesque Ben Lomond National Park before seeking a career in the wider world.

Flight Sergeant Darrin Tapp joined the ADF as a supplier then moved to Physical Training Instructor (PTI).

“I decided to take a new career path and became a PTI as I enjoyed sport, have always been a people person and get enormous satisfaction from helping others reach their goals,” said Flight Sergeant Tapp.

“During my service career I have represented Air Force through sport and ceremonial duties.

“I was selected one year as a participant in the ceremonial duties conducted by the Australian Football League for the traditional Essendon-Collingwood game on one of the nation’s most special events, ANZAC day, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“As a Physical Training Instructor and having qualified as a level two sports trainer I was also deployed to Kabul working with NATO forces and doing a lot of rehabilitation work,” he said.

Flight Sergeant  Tapp has coached, mentored and guided junior Physical Training Instructors through their career, and says it has been the most rewarding and gratifying part of his job.

“I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had such a rewarding career spending 36 years through so many changes,” said Flight Sergeant Tapp.

“Not bad considering I only intended to serve my initial tenure of six years and return to my family in Tasmania, and now I get to be part of the Air Force’s Centenary commemoration,” he said.