At the age of 21, Angelina Kopanakis decided to kickstart her career in the Royal Australian Army.
Now, Angelina has had 16 years of experience in various sectors in her field from all over the world. She has been a VIP driver for generals in Afghanistan, a driver for the Commander of the First Division in Brisbane, has worked in a special operations unit as part of the Tactical Assault Group, in various support battalions, in the School of Infantry, and in various logistics units.
Angelina currently works at the ADFA headquarters in the ACT.
In an exclusive interview with The Greek Herald, Angelina revealed she hopes to inspire others to explore the many opportunities on offer in the Army, Navy, and Defence Force.
Who is Angelina Kopanakis?
Angelina Kopanakis is a Greek Australian army segreant who was born in 1986 on the Gold Coast in Queensland.
She has been posted all around the world and in Australia to places like Afghanistan, Brisbane, Wagga Wagga, Townsville, Kapooka, Singleton, and Sydney.
In January this year, she moved to the ACT and commenced her role in the operation cell of the Australian Defence Force Academy headquarters.
Why did she join the army?
The Greek Australian army sergeant said she took on her first role in the Australian Army in 2008, where she worked in the Royal Australian Corps of Transport. She said her inspirations to join the army initially stemmed from her grandfather, Ronald Ernest Day who was an engineer in the army.
“My grandfather was an engineer in the Second World War. He went to Crete with the Australian soldiers and helped Greece fight against the Germans,” Angelina told The Greek Herald.
“I grew up hearing stories of how he was going through my grandmother Eleftheria Papagrigorakis’ village in Chania (which is where they met) and how he was eventually was caught by the Germans and became a Prisoner Of War in a concentration camp in occupied Poland.
“It was his passion and the stories he told about his experiences in war that from a young age, made me want to join the army.”
Angelina said growing up, she loved hearing stories about the mateship her grandfather experienced in the army.
“He always used to talk about how no matter where he went, or where he was posted, he could always rely on the mateship that he had in the army,” she said.
“He just had such a love for it and every time he talked to me about his time in the war as a little kid, I was always so excited and fascinated.
“His stories on the Battle of Crete are some that have really stood by me today.”
What does she love about her job?
With a 16-year career in the army, Angelina revealed what she loves most about being in the army.
“I just love coming to work every day and being able to see my mates, share my experiences with them and hear about their experiences and just learn,” the Greek Australian said.
“Being able to gain an understanding of what they’ve gone through and hear about their stories is just so eye-opening.
“I also love serving the nation of course, it’s such a rewarding job.”
More Greek Australians in the army
As a Greek Australian army segreant with a strong passion for her Hellenic roots, Angelina said she hopes to inspire more young Greeks to consider careers in the defence forces.
“I definitely think we need more Greeks,” Angelina said.
“For me personally, I wish I joined the army sooner, right after I finished school.
“It’s such a good and rewarding career, and it feels so good to give back to Australia. You definitely get well looked after too, whether its Army, Navy or Air Force, and there’s so many different pathways you can take.
“There’s really something for everyone. The people you meet, the places you go and the opportunities you get are just awesome. If it wasn’t for the army, I wouldn’t have travelled to or seen half the places I’ve been to in the world now.”
