NICK, 41, is a 25-year special forces veteran with multiple deployments including Afghanistan and Iraq.
He has been in charge of commandos such as Scott Evennett (who had four stints in Afghanistan and Timor) and Rhys Dowden (10 year's service in Afghanistan and Iraq).
Throw this group together with ex-military commando Paul Cale, regarded as Australia's toughest man — and employed by the Australian Institute of Sport — and you have one hell of a team.
The men set up Commando Tough as a franchise of True Grit to help Australians become physically and mentally fit, mainly for sport.
"We're helping the unfit as well, and also our military friends who return home and struggle for meaning in their life after service," said Evennett after another big training session.
Not forgotten
"We also lost friends in Afghanistan, so we're giving a percentage of our funds raised to Legacy Australia, as well as Commando Trust and Soldier On to help military personnel and their families."
Evennett said there had been a growing demand for real, honest commando-style training.
"We don't have any age barriers, but we do specialised work with those entering and leaving the military," he said.
"We had five who did a beret-qualified commando course and who entered the commandos and completed tours overseas.
"That of course is another scene; when I entered with 170 entrants I was one of only 15 who managed to qualify."
They've set up six-hour courses for all age groups, with the first 24-hour course on August 30-31.
Demand has resulted in a new fitness facility being built at Caringbah, with Commando Tough training on the ground floor and Kudo (stand-up judo and submission) run by Paul Cale going on upstairs.
"Shortly we'll have another football team coming over before Scott's College's First 15 join us for a six-hour event," he said.
"In between, we'll have mums and their children training together."
■ Members of the Australian Defence Force, Army Reserve, cadets, students and other volunteers will be on the streets during Legacy Week, September 1-7, with Badge Day on Friday, September 6.
Dig deep to support Legacy because the battle goes on for families of veterans.
■ True Grit, Australia's first military inspired obstacle challenge, will hit Sydney's Dargle Farm on the Hawkesbury River on September 7-8.
Designed and operated by two commandos from the Australian Special Forces, the obstacle course is more than 12 kilometres long and will incorporate more than 30 military-style barriers.
