Eastern Cape Representative - Peter Gombart – biography
 I joined RLI in December 67 and served
to March 73 and ended as a Sergeant.
Most of the guys who served that time
will remember me as the guy who helped
them out in the New Clothing Store. I
then left the Army to pursue a civy
career and was doing call ups with
Armaments Section until I was asked by
Major Danie Steyn to transfer to Selous
Scouts to which I did and as the call
ups were getting more and more, I
rejoined the Permanent Force. I had made
the rank of C/Sgt in TF’s so when I
rejoined they dropped my rank to my last
Substantive Rank in the permanent force
and I went back to Sgt.
I was
then sent on a Sgt. To C/Sgt Cadre and
passed the course and was then promoted
back to C/Sgt. I served with Scouts
until 1980 and then we were employed by
the SADF in 5 Recce Phalaborwa. I then
got transferred to 4 Recce Langebaan as
CQ for the Offensive Group. I had to do
courses on boating(coxswains license
from single engine inflatable to 40 ft
MFV’s), and sea orientation, Night
Vision Instructors, working on
Submarines and Frigates. I was also sent
on curse with the Sharks Board in Natal
on how to launch Ski Boats in heavy
surf.
In 1983 I had had enough
and left the SADF to work at Koeberg
Nuclear Power Station when to my
surprise I received a brown envelope
from the SADF. It seems that as I was a
South African Citizen and I had not
completed 4 years of permanent force I
was now liable for my National Service.
They stated that due to my
previous military service I was exempt
my 2 years National Service but I owed
them 780 days camps. Attached to the
notice was a call up to Cape Town
Highlanders and so I was off to the bush
again (much to my wife’s disgust). A
year later I was transferred to the
Koeberg Commando and was promoted to CSM
of B Company until the end of my
service.
I am now living in Port
Elizabeth and after losing my Rhodie
(passed away) wife got remarried and
have a daughter, stepson and step
daughter plus 4 grandchildren. I work
for Omega Risk Solutions as the Coastal
Training Manager. My area stretches from
Cape Town to Durban and am very involved
with setting up Training centers and
Instructors with the new SASSETA Unit
Standards.
I am very involved in
the MOTH organization and have been the
Sergeant Major of my Shellhole for the
past six years. Apart from getting a lot
plumper, balder and greyer, I still
think I’m flipping ok (LOL).
Peter Gombart
Training Co Ordinator
Coastal Division
email:
pegombart@vodamail.co.za
Cell
Phone 0768993592
Fax: 086 571 5277
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