PRIVATE Fadi Jabbori, 25, was born in Iraq but feels very much Australian and is proud to be going on his first deployment with the army reserves.

Reserve soldiers, belonging to Rifle Company Butterworth and set to deploy to Malaysia as part of Australia's Five Power Defence Agreement, farewelled their loved ones at a barbecue at Holsworthy Barracks on Sunday.

``It's always been a dream of mine to be in the defence forces and I'm very proud to be going overseas to defend Australia,'' Private Jabbori said. ``I've been a reserve

for almost five years now and have now made an application to join the army full-time.

``It was wonderful to say goodbye to family and friends at the barracks.

``They had a tour of the place so now they know what it's like and can see the lifestyle we lead. My girlfriend is worried about me going away but I know that it'll be reasonably safe and I'm sure I'll enjoy the challenges.''

The three-month deployment will see the soldiers participating in security operations with soldiers from Malaysia, Singapore, Britain and New Zealand.

Private Jabbori, of Mount Druitt, said he had recently completed a training course at Holsworthy.

Liverpool local Sapper Keone Little, a reservist engineer who trained at the Moorebank School of Military Engineering, said he was also looking forward to the deployment.

``As an engineer my role will be a little different to the privates,'' said Sapper Little, 20.