She also built up an impressive world championship career in kickboxing while still finding the time to work for legal firms in the city and Sydney

But the boxing gloves have since been traded in for Army boots and a rifle.

Pittiglio also enjoys working for the NSW State Emergency Service but her real passion is the Army.

In fact she remembers telling her Wollongong teacher when she was just four-years-old that she wanted to join the Army.

Private Pittiglio didn’t know she’d have to wait over 30 years to realise her childhood dreams.

She also didn’t expect to train in a Malaysian jungle with her civilian boss, NSW SES people and culture director Kathleen Iacurto.

Ms Iacurto travelled to Malaysia this week and joined 19 executives and small business owners from across the ACT, NSW and southern Queensland on Exercise Boss Lift 2017 to experience the training their civilian employees undertake in the Army Reserve.

Private Pittiglio has been to many places in the world but this is her first deployment to Malaysia.

‘’The most surprising and enjoyable aspect of this experience is the diversity of not just the people but of my work,’’ she said.

‘’When people ask me to describe a typical day here, I couldn’t tell them because I don’t have one. I spent yesterday morning firing grenades on the range, and the afternoon in the office working on administrative tasks – that’s the beauty of it.

‘’The other great experience being here is the mateship. Friendships form so quickly. Some of my closest friends are people I met just two months ago.’’

Ms Iacurto said she was very taken by the commitment, enthusiasm, motivation and drive shown by the Army Reserve personnel.

‘’When Maria returns to her role back with the NSW State Emergency Services she’ll be able to bring with her all the skills and capabilities that she has acquired and developed during her time here in Malaysia with the Reserves. Those skills, including leadership, teamwork, decision making and personal resilience align perfectly with the needs of business and with the public sector,’’ she said.

‘’“Personally I’ve gained a lot from being here including a greater awareness of how we can work better together within the emergency services sector.’’

For information on the Australian Army Reserve visit www.defencejobs.gov.au or call 131 901.