New Zealand Army | Army News - Issue 518, November/December 2020

ISSUE 518 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

TOGETHER WE HAVE ENDURED KUA MATATU NGATAHI

OUR SPIRIT HAS BEEN TESTED, WE HAVE GROWN KUA WHAKAMĀTAUTAURIA TE WAIRUA, KUA TUPU TATOU

TŪ KAHA COURAGE

TŪ TIKA COMMITMENT

TŪ TIRA COMRADESHIP

TŪ MĀIA INTEGRITY

Major General John Boswell greets Mr Ahuriri.

ISSUE 518 NOV/DEC 2020

NEWS NZDF Person of the Year – Mata Oltaches-Tagavaitau

03

Army’s People of the Year

04

The State of the Nation

18

PEOPLE Snipers: what it takes

06

One year on from White Island

07

Young initiative and innovation

12

Moving to the outside

16

When a brain tumour strikes

17

TRAINING Exercise Tropic Warrior

08

Delta ready

10

Young initiative and innovation

12

Lions Roar

14

Exercise Falcon

21

DEPLOYMENTS Op Farad

22

Helping our Fijian whānau

23

Timor-Leste

24

SPORT Sports person of the year: Sione Akau

34

Women’s Rugby

35

NZArmy

A kaumatua described by Major General John Boswell as being a man of great standing and mana has received a Chief of Army (CA) Commendation.

CA presented his Commendation to Mr Rawiri (Dave) Ahuriri, earlier this month in Tokoroa.

Mr Ahuriri, along with his wife and whānau, including three grandchildren, Her Worship the Mayor Mrs Jenny Shattock, and local friends gathered at the Church of the Latter Day Saints for a ceremony and reception.

Major General Boswell recounted Mr Ahuriri’s long and dedicated service to the NZ Army as a soldier from 1962–1985, reaching the rank of Sergeant in the Royal New Zealand Transport Corps, followed by 16 years as an NZDF civilian working in Waiouru. After this post Mr Ahuriri took up a part time role as kaumatua of Ngati Tūmatauenga.

He noted the near lifetime commitment to the NZ Army, his leadership, mentoring and guidance to many a commander and Chief of Army. “You are truly a man of great standing and mana. Thank you for your service.”

CAREER MANAGEMENT CORNER Impacts of Covid

NZDefenceForce

The Army News is published for the Regular and Territorial Force and civilian staff of the New Zealand Army.

Editor: Judith Martin Ph: 021 240 8578 E: armynews@nzdf.mil.nz www.army.mil.nz Printing: Bluestar, Petone.

Design: Vanessa Edridge, DPA, NZDF Editorial contributions and letters are welcomed. They may be sent directly to Army News and do not need to be forwarded through normal command channels. Submit them to The Editor, Army News, DPA, HQ NZDF, Private Bag 39997, Wellington, or by email.

Deadline instructions: Army News is published on the third Tuesday of each month, except January. Please have all contributions to the editor by the first of the month.

Nothing in the Army News should be taken as overriding any New Zealand Defence Force regulation. Readers should refer to the relevant service publication before acting on any information given in this newspaper.

ISSN 1170-4411 All material is copyright, and permission to reproduce must be sought from the editor.

We appreciate the flexibility of people and command to meet both posting cycle and ongoing OP PROTECT commitments.

We continue to work with you to best meet your individual and the organisation’s needs.

PDR actions this month PDR3 closing dates DACM has been providing consistent PDR3 updates through a variety of means, and will continue to do so. It is appreciated that these dates do not suit those who have responsibilities towards OP PROTECT and those who do not have access to DIXs. Accordingly, those members effected by OP PROTECT – Command can advise their effected members that their PDR3 is to be closed NLT 21 Jan 2021.

All remaining PDR3s (including all COL and LTCOL) are to be closed NLT 7 Dec 20.

PDR3 career tab In order to assist with future career planning and decision making, individuals are encouraged to provide an indication of their own development goals and career progression paths.

It is not intended that 1-pagers are sent to officers this year with PDR3 being the primary information tool for the boards.

You are encouraged to complete your Career Tab to enable your 1UP, 2UP as well as Representing Officers to provide feedback.

PDR3 completion after posting date A useful PDR3 addition is that it caters for 1 and 2 UPs to have access to their subordinates PDR3 post their posting date – if not through MSS then through their own ESS on their ‘appraisal documents’ page.

Overseas course reports Please remember to send copies of your overseas course reports to DACM for SAP upload (with potential pay impact) and career manager awareness.

Key Dates 30 Nov 20 Last day for 2021 CFRB applications (AFNZ 413D) to DACM 6–10 Dec 20 OSB 03/2020 7 Dec 20

Citizenship certificates If you have recently become a NZ citizen, please send a copy of your citizenship certificate to DACM to enable a review of your engagement date and deployability status.

• Posting Date • Last day for Applications for Change in Posting Status to Unaccompanied – (MD853) to be submitted to DACM • All PDR3s to be closed Contacting DACM Email: DACM_S1_Matters@ nzdf.mil.nz Who is my career manager?

Visit the ‘Our People’ Page on the Army Career Management intranet site (accessible through The Command Post)

ARMYNEWS 03

A MESSAGE FROM CHIEF OF ARMY

To say that 2020 didn’t play out how we intended is a blinding statement of the obvious.

But, as I’ve said before, whilst you’ve got to play the game with the cards you’ve been dealt being smart about how you play them is key. And, if we look back critically at the year, and despite all the challenges that Covid has brought, there is a lot to admire – a lot that we can, and indeed should, be very proud of.

That TRADOC was able to quickly adapt to a rapidly changing environment and continue with both recruit and officer cadet training was an outstanding achievement.

Equally impressive has been the subsequent adjustments to individual training to optimise the delivery of promotion and trade courses. For the wider Army, the cancellation of high level unit/combined arms training and overseas exercises, has led to a focus on core skills and the maintenance of short notice contingency forces. This is appropriate, and while it will require a dedicated regeneration period downstream to regain our conventional high-end capabilities, the Land and Special Operations Component Commanders are ensuring we are best positioned to undertake that training when the opportunity presents.

Operationally, our commitment in Taji was successfully wound up, we maintained a number of smaller overseas deployments and, of course, leant into our nation’s response to Covid-19.

What is obvious from what I’ve seen and heard of the managed isolation facilities is that our people understand the importance of the support they are providing, and that there is real determination to both deliver that support in the best possible way and represent our Army, to the public of New Zealand, as a disciplined capable force. What each of you is doing right now, in support of our nation, is both critical and impressive. And it’s important that it is acknowledged as such.

Just to complicate things further we have had to continue with our critical capability enhancements; Networked Enabled Army, Protected Mobility and soldier modernisation in particular. These efforts will only gain momentum in 2021 and large parts of Army have done great work to position ourselves for the next stages of these critical programmes.

I am fully aware that striking the balance between the introduction into service of new capabilities, the provision of force elements to Army’s Op Protect effort, the development of a focused steadystate training regime, and the maintenance of both domestic and regional response forces has proved complex and it has tested us. And while it’s taken time to

land Army’s ‘battle rhythm’ we now have detailed plans down to sub-unit level and a reasonable understanding of what the next 12 months holds. It would be a brave person, given the ‘fluidity’ of the last eight months, to say that these plans will play out in full so agility in adapting to changes in the environment will be just as important next year as it was in 2020. From what I’ve seen from you all over the past eight months, remaining agile and adaptive won’t be a problem.

So, look back with pride on what each of you have achieved in 2020. It has been a year ‘like no other’ and it has challenged us.

But you’ve not only risen to those challenges, you’ve got after them.

And you’ve done so in a thoroughly professional manner ensuring that, as an Army, we’ve both achieved every task given us and that we’ve positioned ourselves, as best we can, for the next mission.

For many, the Christmas break this year will be disrupted by duty at a MIQF. Can I thank those impacted in advance for your service and encourage you, when the opportunity presents, to make the absolute most of the time off you do have – to relax, and to reflect on a job well done. For those that are able to take leave over Christmas it’s really important that you kick back, recharge the batteries, and have a safe and enjoyable break with your friends and family.

My final word though, is to the wider Army family. To those partners and dependants who have continued to support our officers and soldiers throughout 2020. Your support has been absolutely critical to our success and, without it, we would not have achieved anywhere near what we have. If we haven’t acknowledged often enough throughout the year all that you do, the sacrifices you’ve made, then I apologise. Please know that you are such a critical part of our team, we would not be able to do our job without all that you do, and we will always appreciate your support.

Thank you. Merry Christmas all.

Major General John Boswell Chief of Army

New Zealand Defence Force

Person of the Year Staff Sergeant Mata OltachesTagavaitau of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistics Regiment, says she was speechless when she learnt she had been chosen as top soldier and NZDF Person of the Year.

“It is a blessing and the rarest of opportunities to share my journey in the hopes to reaching out and inspiring, in particular Pasifika youth, to have courage and take a leap. It means that girls ‘like me’ are absolutely more than capable and being Soldier of the Year is testament to that.”

SSGT Oltaches-Tagavaitau’s skills are multi-dimensional; the judges felt she was an outstanding soldier in many fields: within her own trade, in training-based roles, regimental roles, cultural development and sport/sport management. “She has added immense value in each of these areas during her career and has consistently demonstrated the ideal qualities of a soldier in the NZ Army,” they said.

SSGT Oltaches-Tagavaitau recently performed the role of Acting ASM of 2nd Engineer Regiment; a WO2 appointment.

At the time she was the only Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in Combat Service Support Troop out of a total of seven established Senior Non-Commissioned Officer positions. She proved herself to be a competent and capable leader

within her trade in very challenging circumstances, and was awarded the Commanding Officer’s Leadership Award for her efforts in December 2019.

Over and above this, SSGT Oltaches-Tagavaitau has contributed to NZ Army Touch Rugby (Code Chair), NZ Army Women’s Rugby (Assistant Manager), and has been a member of the NZDF Women’s Rugby Board. Due to her excellent reputation, she was actively pursued by the RNZAF to coach their Women’s team that travelled to Colorado to play against other US Military teams earlier this year.

What prompted her to join the Army?

“When I was a teenager, I had four goals that I wanted to achieve all in one hit, How can I avoid uni without disappointing mum and dad? How can I still gain a qualification without a student loan? How can I contribute financially to our home and what could I pursue that was outside the social norm? Fortunately I was able to participate in an Army Technical Trade work experience through school, and it was inevitable from that point on that the Army was going to tick all the boxes. Fifteen years on, here I am.”

SSGT Oltaches-Tagavaitau is also taking part in the development of the NZ Army Pasifika Strategy – designed to

improve cultural standing for serving Pasifika personnel and to set the conditions for enhanced operational effectiveness when NZDF next deploys within the Pacific region.

“I love to serve the people around me. It never feels like going above and beyond, it’s simply believing that everything I have to give serves a greater purpose than you can see. My career has been unique and rewarding, and I have gained so many skill sets, and had incredible experiences. I am absolutely grateful for everything the Army has given me.”

“It is a blessing and the rarest of opportunities to share my journey in the hopes to reaching out and inspiring, in particular Pasifika youth, to have courage and take a leap.”

ARMY RESPONDS QUICKLY TO NAPIER FLOODING Fresh from a weekend training exercise at Waiouru in the central North Island, soldiers from 5/7 Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment were called upon at short notice to help out during the Napier flooding in November.

Army Reservists were assembled at an hour’s notice on 9 November after the call from Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Army Unimog trucks, which had proved their worth during flooding in Northland in July, were again called on to rescue people.

Twenty-two people were rescued and delivered to welfare accommodation. The Unimogs were also used to transport officials around Napier as they surveyed the damage and delivered assessment teams to flooded communities.

“Our Mogs are the only vehicles that could negotiate the deep flooded streets in Napier,” said

Major Tausia Tarsau, Executive Officer of 5/7 Battalion.

“It was a job well done by our soldiers given the late notice and reaction time of just over an hour to mobilise.

“This is another very good example of both Regular Force personnel and Army Reservists working closely with other Government and non-government agencies to support our communities during their times of need,” Major Tarsau said.

04 ARMYPEOPLE

Burnham Social Worker awarded NZDF Civilian of the Year A man who was a driving force behind social workers becoming a permanent part of the military is the New Zealand Defence Force Civilian of the Year.

Liam Cunnah provides professional clinical social work services to personnel at Burnham Military Camp as well as their whānau and, in his spare time, the wider Canterbury community.

He was part of a trial to introduce social workers to the NZDF four years ago – a trial which led to them becoming permanent employees. Mr Cunnah said the importance of providing this service to personnel could not be underestimated.

“We live in an ever-changing and unpredictable world which can place significant pressures on soldiers and their families.

“As the types of issues become more complex in their presentation, a more holistic approach to wellness support and management is required, and this is where social work comes into its own.”

Mr Cunnah said the trusting relationship built between local Command teams and the social work service was crucial.

“Without this, I would not be in the position I am to have been nominated and chosen as a recipient of this special award,” he said.

“As someone who prefers to be behind the scenes promoting the successes of others, this is an unfamiliar yet humbling experience to be receiving this award.

“The success of the Burnham Social Work service has been supported and enhanced by the exceptional work of my fellow colleagues within the Burnham Integrated Wellness team.”

Mr Cunnah last year undertook Postgraduate study in Family Therapy, as well as having studied Gottman Couples Therapy this year.

Liam Cunnah

“I chose to do this as it was a need that I identified around the everchanging relationship challenges faced by soldiers and their dependants,” he said.

“As social workers we are innately driven by our desire to promote and enhance the self-determination and empowerment of both our clients and often the wider organisations that we are employed by.”

Mr Cunnah also supported the wider Canterbury community in his own time by providing clinical input as a board member for Salisbury Street Foundation, a rehabilitation centre that aims to reintegrate serious offenders back into the community.

His citation said his dedication to the work he did within the community demonstrated that he was an outstanding ambassador for the NZDF.

Safety winner protects welfare of 600 during Australian bushfires Army medic CPL Lewis Hullen is the 2020 NZDF Safety Person of the Year.

CPL Lewis Hullen

CPL Hullen deployed in January 2020 as a Force Health Protection Technician (FHPT) in support of Operation Australian Bushfires.

His role was to provide close environmental health support to the NZDF force element located on Kangaroo Island. This was a sole charge position, reporting to a Force Health Protection Officer (FHPO) located in Adelaide.

During this operation, CPL Hullen discovered and prevented three threats to human health in relation to the drinking water and food provided to them.

He raised this with the commander on the ground, immediately implemented measures to reduce the risk, and then provided training to personnel to remedy the issues.

While the judging panel was impressed with all the finalists in this category, CPL Hullen’s achievements stood out for several reasons. The judges noted that CPL Hullen operated autonomously in a daunting environment, especially considering his rank; he demonstrated courage by raising health and safety issues with his superiors; he also realised the magnitude of potential impact of not taking proactive initiative, and his interventions had an immediate, tangible outcome for his comrades on Kangaroo Island.

CPL Hullen’s actions were exemplary and have won the recognition of his command and peers. His nomination, submitted

by Major Ron Christmas, provides further insight into how CPL Hullen’s actions have demonstrated our core NZDF values and excellence in health and safety.

He displayed confidence and courage in bringing these matters to the attention of superiors in a timely and professional manner. His efforts meant he was able to protect the health of 600 personnel, and prevented significant impact to the mission of the NZDF and ADF. Beyond the above specific examples, CPL Hullen was proactive in hazard ID and risk assessment in an environment that had significant perceived risk. His technical reporting chain trusted his assessments and he was able to provide accurate and timely information that allowed the FHPO to advise higher command as to the true nature of the risks that NZDF personnel had been exposed to.

Warrant Officer Class Two Sean Cassidy spends all day teaching college students, and most of his spare time training soldiers.

He has been named Reservist of the Year.

Dunedin-based secondary school teacher Sean Cassidy says his military knowledge and experience is invaluable in his civilian career.

Warrant Officer Class Two Cassidy is senior trainer of B Company, 2/4 RNZIR. He teaches physical education, outdoor education and the health curriculum at King’s High School in Dunedin.

The judging panel selected WO2 Cassidy for his selfless and consistent commitment to go above and beyond for B Company and in the local community. Judges said he was a strong and positive influencer, and a key member of B Company’s leadership team.

He was also instrumental in developing new concepts for training and planning, working around the restrictions imposed under Covid-19 higher alert levels.

WO2 Cassidy says he feels honoured to receive the award. He has been a Reservist since 1990.

“I had a gap year before attending University and the recruiter held an information evening in Cromwell. I went along to see what it was about as a couple for friends had already joined the Regular Force Cadet School.

“The opportunities, variety and flexibility offered was a good fit for my intended career path at that time (attending Otago University). Secondly, the experiences with attending training activities, exercises, courses, meeting and working with people with diverse backgrounds was something I have always enjoyed. The highlight for me has been putting these skills I have developed both in the NZDF and my civilian career and utilising them on operational deployments.”

WO2 Sean Cassidy

In his Reservist role he plans, implements and mentors training, and is also responsible for monitoring and evaluating sub unit training activities.

His employer, he says, has provided him with substantial support over the last 19 years of his employment.

“The school is very keen to utilise the value added skills the NZ Army provides via the numerous courses, exercises and community activities that I have attended and supported during this time. An example of this is providing assistance to the school’s Anzac services, running fitness sessions for several sports teams and Year 13 leadership activities encompassing skills gained from my military experiences.

“There is mutual benefit between King’s High and myself.

The Army provides me with skill sets that are not readily available in civilian organisations, particularly at little or no cost to the school (except my time).

I am also able to use these skills readily at school, and always to the benefit to the students I teach. Another relationship spinoff is via recruiting. Students are often querying me on advice about Defence as a career option and I am able point them in the right direction in regards to qualifications, skills and fitness required to gain the trade they are aspiring to in the NZDF.”

ARMYPEOPLE 05

Army Major recognised for work on inclusive culture Army Officer Major Tim Ewing-Jarvie’s leadership style and commitment to including and empowering his Company has helped him win this year’s New Zealand Defence Force Squadron Leader Peter Rule Inclusion Award.

The award is for outstanding and positive contributions to diversity and inclusion by NZDF personnel, and goes to someone who demonstrates inclusive practices and attitudes, and values diversity and inclusion.

Burnham-based Major EwingJarvie, of Delta Company, said it was an honour to be part of the legacy of Squadron Leader Rule, a pilot who had a distinguished career with the Royal New Zealand Air Force before he was forced out because of his sexuality.

Major Ewing-Jarvie said he had had friends who had been persecuted or disadvantaged because of their sexuality, gender or perspective, “so I’m happy to be part of an ongoing discussion around organisational change”.

His citation noted that over his two-year tenure in charge of Delta Company there had been a remarkable change in members’ sense of belonging and inclusion, and to their drive and focus.

“The face of the infantry is changing. Delta Company is

comprised of first generation personnel from about 15 countries,” Major Ewing-Jarvie said.

“We’ve had women in both officer and enlisted positions, and members of the LGBTQI+ community serving openly.

Within our ranks have been atheists, Christians, Muslims and representations across a broad spectrum of spiritual and philosophical beliefs.”

But Major Ewing-Jarvie said inclusivity was about more than just including people of different sexualities and genders; it was about different ways of thinking around such things as making mistakes.

“The Company command team spent time talking with all ranks, describing the outcomes and purposes we wanted. We were careful to build an environment which was a safe place to make controlled mistakes.

“Making mistakes ultimately generates trust and cohesion, which does require social facades to break down. We were setting out to create both cohesion and high

MAJ Tim Ewing-Jarvie

performance in our team. Good teams have a strong sense of belonging. Inclusion and respect for diversity just come from there.”

Major Ewing-Jarvie said he felt uncomfortable accepting

the recognition for outcomes and initiatives which ultimately belonged to his team, but it was great to be a part of celebrating success.

Firefighter, football coach and father takes NZDF Volunteer of Year award Linton soldier Ed Dore-Wright’s commitment to his community as a firefighter, football coach and RSA member have led to him being awarded the New Zealand Defence Force Volunteer of the Year 2020.

Warrant Officer Class Two Dore-Wright has lived throughout New Zealand since joining the Army in 1996 but has been based in Ashhurst for the past eight years, allowing him and wife Janet to get involved in the community.

“Volunteering is important as it gives me the opportunity to connect with and help members of the community in Ashhurst and the surrounding areas,” the 2nd Regional Training Wing senior instructor said.

“Being in the military helps with the different areas I volunteer in. I really enjoy a challenge and being a volunteer firefighter can put you in some testing positions.

My military service has given me the ability to look at situations from a different perspective and take charge when required.

“And volunteering also assists with my military career. Taking

experience from different situations and challenges working with young people in the community adds to my tool box of skills required for my job as an instructor.”

WO2 Dore-Wright said one of his greatest passions was football, which he had played for both the Army and NZDF teams before an injury led him to step into more of a coaching role.

“Coaching my eldest son’s school team got me into coaching and this year I have been the assistant coach to the Marist reserves men’s team,” WO2 Dore-Wright credited wife Janet for being able to volunteer as much as he did.

“She balances her work commitments, our kids and all the other family day-to-day activities,” he said.

Mrs Dore-Wright also helped alongside her husband at

the Returned and Services Association (RSA), making volunteering a family affair.

“Janet joined the Ashhurst RSA Woman’s committee and Welfare Committee and encouraged me to join. We are both now on the Ashhurst RSA Executive and Welfare committees and Janet is also the treasurer.

“At a time when organisations can struggle to get volunteers it was important to me to inject younger thinking and the influence of a current serving member of the military into the RSA. But the biggest reward is knowing that your local RSA efforts have helped the community and veterans in need.”

WO2 Ed Dore-Wright

MULTI-TASKING AT THE CHRISTCHURCH MIQF Army dental hygienist Corporal Anatoliy Derepa has helped to bridge the language gap with Russian mariners at a Managed Isolation and Quarantine Facilities (MIQF) in Christchurch.

Russian- and Ukrainian- speaking CPL Derepa worked at the Sudima Hotel in Christchurch, as part of the New Zealand Defence Force’s support to the Covid-19 response.

He was born in Ukraine and moved to New Zealand with his family as a teenager more than 20 years ago.

Based in Wellington, he was sent to Christchurch to work in the hotels as interpreter and coordinator assistant for when the Russian mariners arrived in late October.

CPL Derepa said not many of the mariners at the Sudima spoke any English so being able to communicate with them was invaluable.

“It was easy and straightforward communicating with them. Initially they were very surprised that I spoke their language and were very happy to know that I was available if required to translate.

“They were very appreciative and grateful especially when it came to medical check-ups and medical transfers/checks, as they knew

what was being done and why.

“It also helped as it broke down the language barrier and the mariners were assured their questions and concerns were addressed,” he said.

It had been a different but also great experience working at the MIQF, he said.

“It has been great to be helpful from an interpreter side, and also to see how different agencies are working together to manage the MIQFs for those returning to New Zealand.”

CPL Derepa, then a Lance Corporal, photographed some years ago receiving his Distinguished Service Decoration from the Governor General, Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae.

06 ARMYPEOPLE

THE ART OF SEEING THROUGH THE TUSSOCK

By Charlene Williamson

You have two hours to move within 200 metres of the observers and fire your first blank round. You start about one kilometre out, give or take. You cannot be seen at all. If you are seen, you fail.

Photo: CPL Sean Spivey

Each year only 12 soldiers devote six weeks of their lives honing skills which they hope will match the exacting standards required to emerge out the other side as a badged sniper of New Zealand Army.

Historically less than half make the grade. In 2020 just six passed.

Private (PTE) D and PTE M from 2nd/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment were two of the soldiers to make the grade.

PTE D who was already posted to the sniper cell, said he had an idea of what the role of a sniper entailed, and wanted more advanced training.

“I wanted to challenge myself, be confident with navigation and to gain a better understanding of what snipers actually do,” he said.

PTE M said she wanted to do the course as she enjoys a challenge and is always after the pursuit of knowledge.

“The sniper is someone who by mastering their skills and a little bit of luck, can directly change things for good, or bad in the course of battle.

“If you want to measure yourself against some of the best, being a sniper isn’t a bad yardstick,” she said.

The course consists of six weeks’ worth of theory, shooting, judging distance, observing, reporting information and stalking an objective.

Sniper theory involves learning about sniper roles, employment, ballistic theory and working the kestrel (weather meters).

“At first all of this information seemed like a lot of to take in, but the instructors made it easy to understand. If you want to do well on your summative theory test, you need to put in a lot of study in your own time,” said PTE D. Following theory and shooting, the course consists of what are called ‘groundhog days’ where soldiers do the same thing over,

and over, and over again, for days on end.

“You complete a judging distance and observation stand in the morning, then you stalk an objective in the afternoon. You do this consecutively for around 12–14 days, before you get tested on all three.

“At first, most of us were failing pretty much all of these tests. It’s ok to fail on these practice days, as long as you learn from your mistakes and don’t make the same mistakes again,” said PTE D. This course was also the first time the new Barrett MRAD Sniper Rifle was used for testing. The MRAD provides two calibres to the sniper, a .308 calibre round and a larger long range .338 round. The .388 allows for accuracy out to 1500m on targets.

PTE M said once they got over not wanting to get it dirty (as they were basically brand new), they had some fun.

“It was easy to learn and use as well as extremely accurate. The recoil is very manageable and when paired with the Nightforce ATACR scope with TreMor3 reticle, you can spot your own shot impacts and quickly take up follow shots.

“Then, with the kestrel ballistic computer which is essentially weaponised mathematics, and with accurate spotting we were able to push them out to some impressive ranges,” she said.

PTE D said the MRAD has the capability to hit targets at long ranges and he “felt confident when it came to the badge shoot” using it. He said the toughest part of the course was the stalks.

“Moving into a firing position without been seen was extremely challenging. On my first few stalks I made some silly mistakes, like being spotted on my move in. My next issue was being spotted when I was at my firing position.

“Despite failing continuously on my stalks, I was happy with my progress.

I knew that I could now move in, unseen and fire my first round.

“I treated every groundhog day, including badged day, the same.

Taking each day seriously, but not putting too much pressure on myself when it came to badge day,” he said.

PTE M said the hardest part for her was not only mastering the art of seeing through the tussock, but also failing. She also believes being the New Zealand Army’s first female sniper is not especially significant.

“Passing the course is an achievement for any soldier, regardless of gender. I am the first female given the opportunity to attend the course, or maybe I am the first that has wanted to.”

“No one likes to fail, that’s human nature. But on groundhog days almost everyone is confronted with failure on a daily basis.

“Once I came to terms with the fact that I might fail it took away a lot of pressure and opened the doors for achievement,” she said.

PTE D said he is very proud to be badged and what motivates him is the other soldiers in the 2/1 RNZIR sniper cell, “they hold a high standard that I aim for”.

PTE M is a one of a handful of females who are in the Infantry Corps and said that undoubtedly women can, and do bring a myriad of skills and perspectives to the table.

“In the current operating environment having females in combat roles has proved to be crucial for intelligence gathering due to the fact that they can naturally navigate cultural differences when dealing with local populations overseas.”

She said despite this it seems most of the debate against women in the infantry tends to focus on physical strength, or gender equality “rather than if or how

they could make our army more effective”.

Carrying the load is something that PTE M is passionate about and encourages those aspiring to do a job typically done by men to “meet or exceed the male fitness standards”.

“We use the same weapons, carry the same equipment and do the same job so there should be no difference when it comes to fitness standards. If you can do that, you’ll gain some respect.

“I believe that the right women should serve in the infantry, under gender-neutral combat-focused standards,” said PTE M. PTE M said completing and passing the course gave her a basic standard and recognised future potential for her, and others.

“It’s the start of a lot of learning.

The good thing about sniping is that you will never master it, there’s always some new way of doing something.

“I’m looking forward to improving what I already know and learning new things,” she said.

ARMYPEOPLE 07

ONE YEAR ON

When disaster strikes DJIATF is just a call away

By Judith Martin

A photograph of two yellow-suited soldiers in a sea of murky grey ash is a grim reminder of the White Island tragedy for Lieutenant Colonel Michael Nochete.

The soldiers are Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operators walking through ash to recover six people who perished on the island following the eruption.

LTCOL Nochete, who was the on-scene commander for the recovery operation, admits to feeling anxious during the thick of the White Island eruption tragedy.

And it wasn’t just because he was an Army officer on a Navy vessel.

“It was the first time in my career I had knowingly and consciously placed personnel under my command in harm’s way without me standing there with them. To be frank, it was an uncomfortable feeling.”

LTCOL Nochete is referring to the decision he recommended, based on the advice of experts, to send six members of the EOD team to recover the bodies of those killed when Whakaari/White Island erupted on December 9 last year.

The official death toll from the eruption was 22 people, 19 of whom died in New Zealand and three in Australia. Two bodies were not recovered and have been listed as deceased by the Chief Coroner.

LTCOL Nochete is the Chief of Staff of HQ DJIATF and worked with other agencies to lead the

NZDF effort supporting the New Zealand Police-led recovery operation.

“The lead GNS volcanologist was predicting a 40 to 60 percent chance of another eruption. The go – no go criteria was that there needed to remain a less than six percent chance, or less, of death if an eruption was to occur in the three hour window the EOD team was on the island. We had strategies in place to mitigate the risks but the operation was not without risk.”

The EOD team leader who went onto Whakaari/White Island was someone he had known his entire career. “I know his wife too.

The what-ifs keep playing through your mind.”

LTCOL Nochete worked mostly from HMNZS Wellington which was operating just off Whakaari/White Island to ensure good visibility and communications throughout the operation.

“I was lucky enough to have my DJ5 Plans Officer, Lieutenant Commander Brad King, RNZN, on the ship with me. He was monitoring the synchronisation matrix so could tell me if we were tracking well, and if there were deviations from the plan we were able to make decisions or calls on it.”

When HQ DJIATF first became involved in the operation LTCOL Nochete was more of a conduit among the other organisations involved. That eventually narrowed down and he focussed on recovery operations. On HMNZS Wellington he worked with the volcanologist and the police tracking the operation.

The military has a strata of people specialising in emergency response.

“We’d identified quite early that the environmental conditions meant we would need people trained in

using long duration, closed circuit breathing apparatus to recover the people who had died on White Island. They also had to be experienced in operating under stress. That’s why the EOD team was the best for the job.”

It was a truly joint operation. “The Air and Navy crews knew what they had to do, as did the EOD team and medical personnel.

“The relief was palpable when we achieved what we had set out to do.”

Would he do anything differently?

“It was a very uncertain and complex environment, and looking back there is not a lot I think we could have done differently at the tactical level. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a good response in a bad situation.

“There’s a procedural planning process we follow in the military and the depth of training we do helps us adapt the process as required. Even in a very complex and ambiguous environment we use the joint military appreciation process as a handrail to get to a plan. We can then adapt the plan based on time and context.

“There is always time later to reflect on what could have been done better because continuous improvement is something we always focus on.”

The Deployable Joint InterAgency Task Force provides operational command and control for joint, interagency and multi-national operations that contribute to the security of New Zealand and its interests.

It was established in 2011, and replaces what was largely an ad-hoc group of elements that would deploy for an event or activity. Its aim is to respond quickly with practised procedures and staff

that can operate in complex environments at short notice.

Until recently it was providing command and control for Operation Protect, the NZDF’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. That function has now been handed over to a new JTF HQ to enable DJIATF to prepare for the possibility of humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations that may happen in New Zealand and the Pacific over the high risk weather season.

08 ARMYEXERCISE

ARMYEXERCISE 09

EXERCISE TROPIC WARRIOR

Sharpening combat skills Soldiers working in pairs and fours qualified in live fire assaults during the final field phase of combat corps training on the west coast of the South Island recently.

They engaged and closed in with the enemy, maintaining situational awareness of their other section members, commander’s orders, and potential threats.

Photos: CPL Sean Spivey

10 ARMYEXERCISE

DELTA READY

By Charlene Williamson

Despite the challenges that Covid-19 has placed upon training this year for the New Zealand Army, nothing has stopped Delta Company from achieving what they set out to do at the start of the year.

ARMYEXERCISE 11

Key leadership engagement skills were emphasised on the exercise, including the importance of low-level confrontation and problem-solving in certain situations.

Delta Company, 2nd/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (RNZIR) have completed their final exercise for 2020, Exercise Delta Patrol.

Acting Officer Commanding Delta Company, Captain Waaka Parkinson said this exercise was the final phase of training for the year.

“For our soldiers this training reinforces all the hard work and commitment to training they’ve undertaken this year.

“We’ve all faced challenges to maintain our degree of high performance and skill readiness, especially during the earlier restrictions of lockdown This exercise has given a sense of completion and achievement for our soldiers,” he said.

This year Delta Company have focused their training around four fundamental skills – move, shoot, communicate and medicate.

Exercise Delta Patrol focused on skills that are well known to Kiwis, the ability to communicate with other cultures and the ability to build rapport with people from all walks of life.

“This has always been a strength of New Zealand service personnel on operations – to work collaboratively with locals, and gain trust and information to achieve the common goal.

“The intent of the exercise was to prepare our soldiers and give them the tools necessary to be able to deploy, build trust, mutual respect and interact effectively,” said CAPT Parkinson.

CAPT Parkinson said that whether it is security and stability operations, or humanitarian aid and disaster relief we must be ready for these challenges.

“We must continue to train our people to a high standard of skill and professionalism. Not only are we continuing to train highly competent soldiers, but also developing model citizens,” he said.

Delta Company, like most of the Army, have had commitments to Operation Protect this year in addition to trying to maintain training outputs.

“The impact of Covid-19 has actually had a positive impact for Delta Company this year,” said CAPT Parkinson.

Early in 2020, the company headquarters was exploring new ways of training their soldiers, hoping to make better use of time and technology to enhance training.

“Covid-19 forced our hand early to implement new training initiatives with great success, despite the challenges of social distancing.

We proved to ourselves that we could maintain a good tempo of training, and build morale within the company,” he said.

CAPT Parkinson said this challenge gave soldiers the ability to focus on a large variety of training, as well as a new environment to train in.

“Training outcomes were still measured and tested during exercise phases conducted throughout the year, spanning from individual up to platoon level.”

Training initiatives during lockdown for Delta Company included unclassified lessons via video conferencing, ranging from case studies of previous conflicts to presentations on leadership, and individual based fitness challenges – all done from the confines of soldiers’ individual barrack rooms.

“Covid-19 forced our hand early to implement new training initiatives with great success, despite the challenges of social distancing.

We proved to ourselves that we could maintain a good tempo of training, and build morale within the company.”

– Captain Waaka Parkinson

12 ARMYPEOPLE

Our junior soldiers have shown a wealth of initiative and innovation this year, often in trying circumstances due to Covid-19 restrictions.

They are our future leaders.

Soldiers from 2 Combat Service Support Battalion have been making good use of their “Innovation Room” to create 3D models and using 3D printing to boost their training.

The Innovation Room was initiated

by Lieutenant Colonel Megan Elmiger as a way to foster and grow the culture of innovation within the battalion.

Soldiers recognised that to encourage innovation that was already happening within the battalion, an area needed to be set up to provide the resources to complete tasks and practise techniques.

A library was set up and some more books were purchased based on suggestions from Defence Excellence.

A Flashforge Adventurer 3 was purchased along with a Wanhao 4DS. Lance Corporal Randall Prentice says the Flashforge software has proved easy to use with many people getting successful prints with minimal tutoring.

The Wanhao 4DS is a two filament printer that has proved harder to use but it has the potential for using dissolvable supports to allow much more complex shapes.

One of the earliest useful prints were pistol speed loaders which were used during a week when the battalion was on the range doing Annual Weapons Qualifications.

Other concept tests have included variations to the manipulator for remote robots and clip brackets to mount things on MOLLE webbing.

LCPL Prentice says the 3D Printer got a lot of use making models of soldiers, trucks, helicopters and aircraft to create an enemy motorised brigade to use during pre-course training for NCOs and above.

“The two virtual reality headsets are proving popular and we are still working through what is required to provide value. “As Jeremy

Bailenson the founding director of Stanfords Virtual Human Interaction Lab said, virtual reality is justified when the real world experience is too expensive, too dangerous, impossible or counterproductive”.

The headsets are proving popular with at least one NCO buying their own set for home.

“We are just starting to explore what is possible with these tools and what is the best way to get value. And one way to encourage innovative use of the equipment is to set up work problems and give these to teams to attack.

“Defence Excellence provided a lot of support with Yogi Stockler giving suggestions and hardware.

This should provide a way to apply the training and meet the practical requirements for “Defence White Belt”.”

Right: 3D modelling at 2 CSSB.

TAD INSTRUCTORS WIN AWARD FOR SAFETY INITIATIVE Junior leaders at The Army Depot who thought of ways to keep nearly 200 Army recruits safe while maintaining training during the Covid-19 lockdown have had their initiative recognised with an award.

The team at The Army Depot (headed by LTCOL Dean Gerling) was selected as the winner in the best initiative to address a safety hazard for putting a programme in place to manage the risks and effects of Covid-19 during Alert Levels 3 and 4. This has now become a template for Navy and Air Force too.

The judges of the NZDF Safety Awards noted the significant challenges that TAD overcame in implementing policy and directives to manage hazards around Covid-19 in a holistic way, even organising pastoral care and catch-up training for recruits who had missed lessons while proactively isolating when displaying symptoms.

TAD had two courses under instruction, Recruit Regular Force (RRF) course 396 with 104 recruits, and RRF397 with 77 during lockdown.

“The way we trained our newest members of the Army continued to evolve, “ says LTCOL Gerling. “Our instructors showed remarkable flexibility as our soldiers and officers always do; they get on with the task to get it completed.

“Due to the changing Covid-19 Alert Levels, TAD only conducted one family day this year – there is normally one per course – which is

an opportunity for family members to visit their soldier-in-training. In addition, the course’s mid-course breaks had to be cancelled, but the recruits understood why, and were pleased that we kept their training up.”

The staff and recruits practised physical distancing, with recruits maintaining close contact bubbles within their platoons. Their close contact bubble was like their household, with all members of the same platoon being in the same bubble. Anyone outside of that was considered a casual contact.

Instructors maintained casual contact, ensuring separation by physical distancing. However, when required, they wore personal protection equipment, especially in places like range shoots.

Official advice, said LTCOL Gerling, was to provide instruction in groups that were as small as possible to minimise risk of Covid-19 infection. “It was a real balancing act, ensuring consistent messaging and providing a safe environment to ensure training could continue.”

Right: Recruits train during lockdown.

ARMYPEOPLE 13

KAIPUKAHA SUPPORTS EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND EMPATHETIC LEADERSHIP 2 Engineer Regiment has initiated a plan that will encourage its leaders, both junior and senior, to look after the wellness, diversity and inclusiveness of its people.

ALPHA COMPANY ACES KING COUNTRY VISIT Private Autahi Rehua-Block is a Te Kuiti lad through and through. So when the opportunity arose for him and seven of his Alpha Company, 1 RNZIR mates to visit his hometown and spread the word about what the Army is all about, he jumped at it.

The soldiers, with high-level approval, set out on their community engagement mission in October. It was, by all accounts, a resounding success.

PTE Rehua-Block’s mum, Denise Marshall, played a small but significant role in the mission.

She is the principal of local school Te Wharekura o Maniapoto, and when her son came to visit after lockdown she suggested he have a talk with her students about what life in the Army is like.

The students’ response was such that PTE Rehua-Block got the nod from his bosses for him and his section to visit Te Kuiti as a team for some community engagement.

PTE Rehua-Block managed the team under the guidance of Staff Sergeant Aaron O’Brien.

Other team members included PTE Kamalani Tureia-Siataga, PTE Campbell Mclisky, PTE Brian Lotuleilei, PTE Justis Rikihana, PTE Travis Gilbert and PTE Derek Budgen.

“When we arrived some of the soldiers were a bit nervous as they didn’t know what to expect and they were nervous speaking for the first time in public. We brought a power point presentation with us and encouraged the kids to ask questions.”

The next day they visited Te Kuiti High School where they organised stands and games to attract the interests of students, “The stands went really well and the boys (soldiers) didn’t want to leave. Later that day we organised community PT at the High School and we were surprised at how many showed up to train and play basketball.”

As well as telling locals about what the Army does, the soldiers helped with some community projects, including laying stones for a path around the community maara kai, and visiting a local day-care centre where they helped entertain the toddlers.

Above: Alpha mates gets stuck in in Te Kuiti.

It wasn’t all hard work: the section went blackwater rafting, and hosted a touch rugby game, which attracted about 150 people as well as sponsorship for a BBQ from a local firm.

PTE Rehua-Block says he organised the week because the Te Kuiti community had supported him, and he want to give back.

“The opportunity came to do it in the first week of school and that was the only chance we had before we had to deploy on Operation Protect in the Managed Isolation Facilities. We decided we’d do it then no matter what.”

PTE Rehua-Block said the visit was beneficial to the soldiers as well as the local community.

“Te Kuiti can feel isolated, and the locals seldom see someone in a military uniform. It was good for us to organise the whole week ourselves, and let people know the benefits of serving in the military.”

“Te Kuiti can feel isolated, and the locals seldom see someone in a military uniform.

It was good for us to organise the whole week ourselves, and let people know the benefits of serving in the military.”

– PTE Autahi Rehua-Block

Commanding Officer of the Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Ian Brandon said his unit launched Op Kaipukaha in response to a challenge laid down by the Chief of Army during his wananga at the Army Marae earlier this year.

“CA encouraged the senior leaders of the Army to initiate action to reduce harmful behaviour within their spheres of influence, to help him to build a more inclusive and supportive Army. Op Kaipukaha represents our overarching plan for wellness, inclusion and diversity. The word Kaipukaha was chosen for a specific reason, as it translates as ‘Sapper’ and is the name of our RNZE haka. The word holds mana for us. It represents a direct challenge to all leaders to continually improve how we look after our greatest source of strength – our people.

“What makes Op Kaipukaha unique is that our chosen method is to focus on broadening our understanding and application of emotional intelligence (EQ) and in particular, engaged and empathetic leadership.

“Empathy is an often misunderstood word. It should not be confused with sympathy,

which suggests that leaders should have pity or sorrow for their subordinates. Simply put, empathy is about understanding and sharing the feelings of others. It is a critical component of EQ, enabling leaders to determine the genuine needs of their people and then work with them to generate new levels of resilience and performance.”

LTCOL Brandon said emotionally intelligent, empathetic leaders are a combat multiplier who strengthen the moral component of the Army’s fighting power.

A range of initiatives are now underway at 2 Engineer Regiment which support the objectives of Op Kaipukaha.

These include a specific personnel management plan for Operation Protect, a closed Facebook page to support the whānau of deployed personnel, facilitated adventure training, mindfulness and fitness training, a focus on literacy and numeracy, and exciting initiatives at Squadron level to build cohesion through a strong values-based culture.

“Regiment leadership has also worked with Army psychologists to deliver a number of evidence-

based professional development sessions on EQ to our leaders; to explain the “why’ behind Op Kaipukaha as well as to begin building our knowledge bank of the concepts and tools available to support engaged, empathetic leadership. These will continue through 2021 and will be adapted and refined to make them relevant and accessible to all personnel,” said LTCOL Brandon.

2ER emergency responders.

3 SIGS SOLDIERS WASTE NO TIME DURING LOCKDOWN Young soldiers from 3 Sigs Sqn didn’t waste any time when they were confined to home or barracks during lockdown this year.

One, LCPL Oliver Cossar used his time to collaborate, via video conferencing, with ADF colleagues to design and develop his own iteration of Electronic Warfare (EW) equipment originally designed by ADF soldiers.

LCPL Cossar had first seen this EW equipment on Exercise Talisman Sabre 19 and Exercise Listening Crow 19 in Australia. Much of his time was spent learning how to write Python code so that scripts could be written to configure the necessary EW hardware and software.

In addition to developing this EW equipment, LCPL Cossar also spent time developing and assembling a project management plan for its implementation, and an innovation pitch to garner the necessary project support post lockdown.

This innovation to provide an economised solution for just-intime EW geolocation of emitters

has since 3Sigs on exercise in Australia. been further developed in partnership with NEA, DTA, and the ADF. directly into the work place at Concurrently, prior to MS the conclusion of lockdown by Teams rolling out, an equivalent providing PowerBI for day to day programme was adopted by training and work. the soldiers at 3 Sig Sqn (EW) Other 3 Sig Sqn (EW) personnel to enable a shared workspace also conducted research accessible to everyone all squadron based tasks. By way of just a personnel. Multiple software tools few examples: conducting a were chosen as a focus to learn presentation to the rest of their during the lockdown. For example, Troop via video conferencing, or an analytical program, Microsoft presenting research on survival PowerBI, was chosen as a tool to in various environments, or the learn by the analysts. effects of sleep deprivation and Led by CPL Benjamin Stewart, how actions in daily lives can help soldiers taught each other, using improve sleep. the publicly available Covid While constrained to home datasets, how to visualise data locations, the opportunities quickly that can inform decision making became apparent. By the end of – the ability to generate rapid the national lockdown, a variety insights using data visualisation of lessons, research projects, and enables rapid decision making. innovative ideas had developed.

This knowledge was transferred

14 ARMYEXERCISE

YOUNG LIONS ROAR DESPITE COVID

By Emma Horsley

When Covid-19 hit New Zealand and the country went into lockdown everyone’s life was affected. Within NZ Army decisions had to be made on promotion courses and training exercises and what could and couldn’t be supported with the suspension of some activities and new restrictions.

To ensure soldiers were not adversely affected by the dramatic changes in promotion courses 1 (NZ) Bde made the decision, alongside TRADOC, to sponsor and deliver a Junior Non Commissioned Officer Course from 3 August to 9 October. Resources were drawn in from across both formations to provide the structure for a successful course delivery.

As 1 (NZ) Bde does not normally run promotional courses there was a steep learning curve in regards to resourcing instructors and administrative elements. However established personal relationships came to the fore with Headquarters staff and units working together to share resources for the mutual benefit of the 32 students.

Senior Instructor Warrant Officer Class Two Melissa Greig said “Being the first one it definitely had challenges, but the attitude of everyone to make it work well made sure we delivered the best course package we could.”

“We now have 32 soldiers who most definitely would not have had the opportunity this year to complete a JNCO promotional course.”

Senior officers and Warrant Officers from Brigade Headquarters stepped in to support and deliver lessons with units providing instructors to act as directing staff, and equipment and vehicles to make sure things happened as and when they should.

The course culminated in Exercise Young Lion in September in Waiouru that tested the students on building teams, applying the appreciation process, delivering verbal orders and commanding a section.

Lance Corporal Terry Beddek said the biggest challenge of the course was the team work for her due to her normal job but it was good to have to address that.

Having joined the NZ Army three and a half years ago she says the job has thrown multiple challenges at her and she is reveling in it. Being out in the field was exhilarating.

“Being out of my comfort zone was great. I thrive on challenges and being out in the field on Young Lion was a great learning experience. The whole course has been great actually. Certainly testing but we need that to ensure we are able to do the job.”

LCPL Te Rangitira Ropati QAMR was on the reserve list for a JNCO course in 2020 when Covid hit and pushed everything sideways. He says this additional course ensured he was kept on track for promotion.

“It was good to know a lot of people on this course. You already have those relationships and commonality and building on those has been good.”

ARMYEXERCISE 15

16 ARMYPEOPLE

WO1 Jason Keno

TRANSITIONING TO THE OUTSIDE:

HELP IS AT HAND

By Judith Martin

The thought of becoming a civilian after 32 years in uniform was once daunting for Physical Training Instructor Warrant Office Class One Jason Keno.

Preparing himself to make that step into the unknown was made significantly easier by the NZDF Transition Team which helps people prepare for life on the “outside”.

“I was concerned I was totally out of touch with how civilians work – their processes and their culture.

We have a very distinct culture in the NZDF, particularly in the Army.

I joined when I was 16, so I really don’t know any other culture.”

WO1 Keno, who has represented the Army, NZDF and New Zealand at touch, received a verbal offer of employment as a physical education and te reo teacher at a secondary school. The school principal advised him to become fully qualified as a teacher first.

“I decided to go back to uni for a year to become qualified which I will do in 2021.”

He met the Burnham-based transition coach and discussed a raft of issues, including things like study options and what help was available.

“She gave me a check-list which was really helpful and covered all sorts of things I hadn’t thought of, like health insurance, contracts and education scholarships. In the Army we are looked after well, and most of these things are taken care of for us.”

WO1 Keno says transition coaches can also help people prepare emotionally for transition.

The thought of leaving behind the comradeship can be difficult.

“I was OK in that respect though because I am really excited about my new opportunity. I’m passionate about teaching. I didn’t want to leave the Army for a job where I thought ‘Oh no’ each morning.

I can’t wait to get to work and try new things and take up the challenge of teaching our rangatahi.

I’m going to something I am really looking forward to.”

He would like to become a reservist to ensure he doesn’t lose all his military connections. He coaches the Army men’s touch team and would like to continue to be involved once he leaves the Army.

The NZDF Transition Team was established in November 2019.

Career Transition coaches are available to help RF prepare for and navigate the move from military to civilian life.

“The introduction of the support provided by the team recognises the commitment our people make to their service careers and ensures members feel supported during the transition to civilian life, increasing the likelihood of positive outcomes, says Transition Team co-ordinator Stephanie White.

“International research and experiences indicate that early preparation is key to career transition success. Covering all camps and bases, transition staff assist personnel who are leaving or who are thinking ahead and exploring opportunities for the day they leave the Defence Force. While people can access the Service at any point in their Service career, after initial training, it is particularly important and recommended that people touch base with the team if they are likely to be leaving within the next two to five years.”

Career Transition support empowers people to make well thought out career decisions based on interests, needs, abilities, attributes, values, and opportunities. It helps people to connect with industry, articulate

their value to employers across mediums, translate military skills for civilian work, prepare and plan for the future of work, job search and network strategically, identify their internal and external transition supports.

They provide confidential and impartial advice to help people create a successful and sustainable career outside of the military.

The team are all professionally qualified, highly experienced, and proven as effective facilitators and career transition specialists.

Transition Services available include: • Confidential one to one coaching sessions for personalised planning and preparation. This is available to all Regular Force personnel, at any point in their career following initial training and up to 12 months after their release, so people can reach back into the service should they encounter a bump in the road.

• A series of short workshops and webinars which are held regularly online and on site at camps and bases.

Workshop/webinar topics include: Strategic Job Search, Become the Standout Candidate, Create an Effective CV, Connecting on LinkedIn, Interview Techniques and Wellbeing During Transition.

Webinars are easily accessed and run in the evenings. Civilian family members are welcome and encouraged to attend webinars.

• A three day Transition Seminar (Resettlement Seminar) seminar to help people connect with industry and recruiters, develop your network effectively, hone your job search, learn about entrepreneurship, get a better understanding of civilian workplace culture, training and development options.

Contact transitionunit@nzdf.mil.nz or your local coach to book or for any further information Tanya Derrett – Team Lead Defence House and Trentham tanya.derrett@nzdf.mil.nz Debby Prideaux Ohakea & Papakura deborah.prideaux@nzdf.mil.nz Jennie Miller Devonport jennifer.miller@nzdf.mil.nz Niki Gunning Ohakea, Linton, & Waiouru niki.gunning@nzdf.mil.nz Josiane McGregor Burnham & Woodbourne josiane.mcgregor@nzdf.mil.nz

ARMYPEOPLE 17

WHEN A BRAIN TUMOUR STRIKES

By Staff Sergeant Tina Grant

My story started with severe headaches on a work trip that was half way around the world.

I struggled to shake the headaches with medication, and decided it was time to take a visit to the MO on my arrival back in country. He tried IV pain relief and various other oral prescribed meds with no relief, hence a ride to the hospital in the back of an ambulance to Palmerston North Accident and Emergency.

By 2030hrs that very night I was diagnosed with a brain tumour the size of an orange over my front right lobe. Finally, I had some meds to help with the pain! I was lucky enough to not be terminal and the tumour operable but what if there were complications?

I was the liaison officer for Families of the Fallen and I am the one who has to help families pick up the pieces after our soldiers die.

You would think a soldier is always prepared to deploy overseas with appropriate soldier training and trade skills all polished and ready to go. However we often forget about the most important admin of all – our personal affairs.

Get your affairs in order and reduce the stress on your loved ones left behind.

NZDF Recovery Coordinator Within our organisation we are lucky to have people to support us through difficult health events.

One of the people who helped me through this journey was Tracey Saunders – Northern Recovery Co-Ordinator (RC). Her role within my journey was to coordinate my care with the numerous stakeholders involved: my whānau, medical people (doctors, nurses, physio, and occupational therapist), medical equipment providers, homecare providers, chemists, transportation and my Chain

of Command. She took care of anything and everything so that I could re-focus my thoughts and energy into my recovery.

Our organisation has three RC’s who are located in Auckland, Linton and Burnham. Their reach is wide and they are amazing individuals who can travel to reach their clients, no matter their region or what service they are in.

Once I had engaged with my RC my next job was to ensure I had my personal affairs in order – my Advance Care Plan (ACP) and my Will. Nobody likes talking about dying but as you know we are sure about two things in life “death and taxes”. I wanted my affairs in order before I had my surgery which was rapidly approaching…

Advance care planning and a Will What is advance care planning?

Advance care planning helps you, the important people in your life and your health care team plan for your end-of-life care. However, ACP’s are not just for the elderly or terminally ill. As we know in life, unfortunate things can happen at unexpected times to people of any age. We pride ourselves in NZDF on being prepared. So why wouldn’t we be prepared for an unforeseen health event such as a brain tumour?

ACP is a tool which helps you understand what the future might hold, and to say what health care you would or would not want. This makes it much easier for everyone to know what you want – especially if you can no longer speak for yourself.

An advance care plan includes what is meaningful for you, such as people and pets, your values and the ways you would like those caring for you to look after your spiritual and emotional needs.

It can also cover what sort of funeral you would like, whether you want to donate your organs, whether you want to be buried or cremated, where your important papers are and whether you have in place an enduring power of attorney or advance directive. Often people will say ‘I have written it in my will’. That is too late as the will is not usually read until after the

SSGT Grant with the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell.

funeral, so decisions and end-of-life care will already have been made.

Making sure your whānau is not burdened by tough decisions is extremely important to most, so communicating your end of life wishes in plan can ease what may be a stressful time for your whānau.

• Check out: www.myacp.org.nz • Or if you wish to talk further about ACP: Antonia Nicholson: antonia.nicholson@nzdf.mil.nz CAPT Rebecca Maddaford: rebecca.maddaford@nzdf.mil.nz SSGT Tina Grant: tina.grant@nzdf.mil.nz CHAPLAIN Peter Olds: peter.olds@nzdf.mil.nz Will Writing a Will assists your loved ones to ensure that are remembered the way you want them to be and what you own is distributed to the people you want it to be given too.

When someone you love dies and leaves ‘unfinished’ business it

PTE Teddy returning from deployment soon

Teddy will be available early December Contact the Burnham and Linton DSO or email TRSB_UPF_Treasurer@nzdf.mil.nz for an order form $30 – Proceeds to TMC UPF Welfare

makes the grief journey that much harder and longer for you to start your healing. I wanted to update my will, in case I died and I did not want any additional burden left for my family to deal with.

I know that if someone dies and they haven’t written their Will, the Courts have to decide who gets what money/possessions and this process can take over a year. That’s hard for any family to deal with at what is already a stressful time.

Did you know in the last five years since 1 July 2016 NZDF has experienced 68 deaths (an average of 13.6 per year)?

The vast majority of deaths are non-work related – cancers, heart attacks or heart failure, tumours, car crashes etc. Sadly each year there is also at least one suicide.

On average 30 to 35% (one third) of deaths each year there is an up to date Will. The other two-thirds there is no Will or the Will is out of date.

How do you go about updating or writing your Will?

Where do you find one?

For NZDF members and their partners it’s free – just look under ‘Force Financial Hub’ and go to the Wills page.

• Check out: http://ilp/ InternetToDesktopRedirect. aspx?externalUrl=https:// force4families.mil.nz/forcefinancial-hub/ I am fortunate that my surgery went well as is my recovery, and that I had great support at a difficult time.

It was important to me that I was admin fit in order to look out for my family. I would encourage everyone to write an Advance Care Plan and Will. Once you’ve done them, you can file them away and crack on with living!

18 ARMYPEOPLE

ARMY STATE OF THE NATION 2020 Major General John Boswell, DSD Chief of Army 2020 is the year that challenged us in ways that nobody saw coming. When the year kicked off we were well positioned to deliver on many of the initiatives from the Army25 strategy – our roadmap to becoming a modern, agile, highly adaptive, light combat force was gaining real momentum. The year was shaping up to be a busy one that would build on the successes of 2019.

Then, in January 2020, we heard about 2019-nCoVm, the first case was found outside of its point of origin, and the WHO declared a global health emergency. In February, we started seeing restricted entry at our borders, and on March 24 – the day we were set to celebrate our Army’s 175th anniversary with a ceremony at the National War Memorial in Wellington – our country went into lockdown.

In a few short weeks, Covid-19 changed our landscape, and we were quickly called upon to lend our support. The agility and adaptability that Army25 was seeking to enhance kicked in, and

has remained core to our activities over the remainder of this year.

Despite the unexpected shift in focus, and our enduring response to our country’s most pressing need, our Army continued to work towards Army25. Work continued in training, equipping and supporting our people.

Keystone projects, such as NEA and Protected Mobility, continued to push forward their planning and delivery, and we remained focused on the culture that makes us an inclusive, responsive and professional land force that’s truly trusted by our communities.

This article expands on the video message I sent out to members of the NZ Army in early December.

It discusses what we have achieved throughout 2020, and highlights where we are heading in 2021 – a year that will continue to throw challenges our way as we get to grips with the ongoing effects of Covid-19 on our country and the world. Read it, digest it, and know that – despite the challenges ahead – we are continually moving forward toward the goals of Army25 and the outcomes it will deliver for you as part of NZ’s Army.

ARMYPEOPLE 19

Brigadier Jim Bliss, Land Component Commander

Colonel Karyn Thompson, Director Land Domain in Capability Branch – New Capabilities

The Land Component’s primary purpose is to maintain combat ready forces to undertake integrated land missions at designated response times. We currently have deployed approximately 75 personnel on eight land missions in the Middle East, Africa, and Korea.

Preparing, deploying and undertaking these missions is a key priority in the Land Component.

While it is exciting times in both Capability Branch and the Ministry of Defence with a host of new capabilities either currently being introduced in Service or in the final stages of acquisition, three of the projects where Army is focussed at present is the Protected Mobility Capability Project, Soldier Personal Protective Equipment, and the Network Enabled Army Programme.

Concurrently, along with the Special Operations Component, we are committed to providing some 880 security and management staff in 32 Managed Isolation and Quarantine Facilities throughout the country in the fight against Covid-19. Our current deployment cycle is set to meet the operational requirement, whilst providing units and individual soldiers the ability to maintain and develop core skills and retain a level of operational preparedness. Our undertaking of OP Protect, as part of the All-Of-Government response to Covid-19, is securing our borders and protecting and reassuring the population of New Zealand.

These operational commitments, constantly under review, will continue into the New Year.

While this operational undertaking is heavy, together with the Air and Maritime Components, we are maintaining our domestic emergency response and disaster relief outputs, and ensuring that our contingency high readiness forces are trained, prepared, and ready to respond to a security or

humanitarian and disaster relief operation, at home or in the Pacific.

Annual trends of tropical cyclones and extreme fire season conditions, locally and abroad, suggest that it is more “when” not “if” and we must be able to step up and respond as we have so well previously. To do so, means we require our force to be one that is agile, expeditionary, ready, well-led and able to not only survive in uncertain and challenging environments, but thrive and win.

In 2021 our focus will be on undertaking operations mandated by the NZ Government, sharpening our core skills to achieve land domain mastery and joint operational excellence, and investing our available training time, when we are off-Covid tasking, into individual and junior leader coursing and development.

The Component will continue to support Army growth at The Army Depot, Army Command School and our schoolhouses, and replace, upgrade, and receive new capabilities that will enhance lethality, protection, command and control, communications, and sustainment. Where opportunity exists and travel restrictions allow, we, collectively with Joint, interagency and multinational partners, will look to train and work together with our close Pacific Island friends for mutual outcomes and to ensure a secure, resilient and prosperous region.

Protected Mobility Capability Project

Soldier Personal Protective Equipment

In 2020, the Protected Mobility Capability Project saw the delivery of Polaris MRZR-D vehicles (known as the High Mobility Vehicle-Light, or HMV-L). The first six of these vehicles (plus an additional three, purchased by another project) were delivered during lockdown and will be fully introduced into service in the first quarter of 2021. Feedback from those soldiers who have been trained to operate and maintain the HMV-L has been very positive to date – the vehicles can handle very challenging terrain and are far safer than all-terrain vehicles that don’t have roll-over protection. (Note to users: these HMV-Ls have “E-Track” fitted, to monitor vehicle location and driver behaviour!)

The Protected Mobility Capability Project also gained Cabinet approval to purchase 43 NZ 5.5 Bushmasters (Protected Vehicle-Medium or PV-M) in July 2020. The PV-M is manufactured by Thales Group (Australia) and will come in five variants, (Command and Control, Ambulance, Maintenance Support, Logistics and Troop Carrier) and are expected to begin arriving in New Zealand in 2022. While the current schedule is on track, the impact of Covid-19 on timelines is being carefully monitored. The ongoing NZDF commitment to OP Protect is also understood and requests for NZDF support to Protected Mobility Capability Project will be signalled as early as possible.

The Soldier Modernisation Office within Capability Branch has recently completed a desktop analysis, conducted user workshops, and undertaken proof of concept activities to confirm the capability requirements for new Soldier Personal Protective Equipment (SPPE). The focus has been on identifying the SPPE required for the conduct of land operations across a spectrum of operational scenarios, factoring in the range of tasks, threats and operating environment expected in each scenario. This has now been adopted as CA’s intent for ‘Soldier 25’.

There is a requirement for two distinct SPPE/load carriage equipment (LCE) ‘ensembles’ for soldiers when considering the ‘most likely’ and ‘most dangerous’ scenarios. These are: • A ‘light’ SPPE/LCE for low threat environments that is based on the ability to conduct operations without necessarily wearing a helmet or body armour (but incorporates the ability to wear a high cut helmet and ‘lighter’ vital organ coverage body armour if the situation requires it).

• A ‘heavy’ SPPE/LCE for high threat environments that is based on the wearing of a full cut helmet and body armour by default (with wider torso soft armour coverage and the ability to add auxiliary soft armour components).

The SPPE concept will translate into: • ‘light’ SPPE being general issue to all soldiers in deployable units for routine training (for all types of operations) and deployment to lower threat environments that are likely to take place at a shorter degree of notice to move (based on number of components that are modular to provide commanders flexibility to balance soldier configurations to match the task, threat and terrain).

• A pool of ‘heavy’ SPPE being held centrally for issue at the commencement of PDT for high threat environments that are likely to have a higher degree of notice to move (based on the Tyr Epic body armour system and Revision P4 Viper Helmets).

• Acquiring new integrated communications and hearing protection headsets for use with new NEA communications equipment and upgrading other issue hearing protection.

All Regular Force personnel in deployable Army units will be issued the new ‘light’ SPPE around the beginning of 2022. Reserve Forces and other users in Air and Navy will be equipped in subsequent phases.

Once delivery of the SPPE is underway, the Soldier Modernisation Office will switch its effort back to defining the future requirements for other components of soldier lethality, mobility, survivability, sustainability and C4I. Continues over page...

20 ARMYCAPABILITY

ARMY – STATE OF THE NATION 2020

Continued from previous page...

Network Enabled Army (NEA) NEA Tranche One capability delivery is underway with a number of digital systems delivered to our Special Operations Forces and 1st Command Support Regiment who are progressing these through landworthiness and capability integration activities. This includes a Command Post capability for a Light Task Group Headquarters supported by a tactical internet that can be operated over a range of bearers including satellite.

The next large NEA Tranche One activity is a Light Infantry Company fit-out of Mobile Tactical Command System (MTCS) radios. These are GPS enabled digital radios and displays which will enable communications by voice and data. They will also automatically communicate each soldier’s position into the SitaWare suite of Battle Management System applications. This will enhance command and control as well as situational awareness for commanders from Section Commander to the Commanding Officer. The programme is working with the Land Component to plan delivery of the initial training to soldiers in April 2021.

NEA Tranche Two has procured a number of systems to enable risk reduction in several key areas, and is now developing the Business Case for reconnaissance and surveillance sensors for submission in 2021. This has been informed by the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Wargame activity conducted with 1st (NZ) Brigade in July of this year.

Initial planning is underway for Tranche Three which will see delivery of systems proven in Tranche One to critical capability bricks within 1st (NZ) Brigade as well as training systems for TRADOC. Experimentation activities are continuing across the Land Component as OP Protect tempo allows.

The Polaris MRZR-D

Colonel Kate Lee Assistant Chief of Army for Delivery – People Many of you completed the Pulse Survey in August and the results have been distributed to units. Leaders have access to their own team results, and making use of the Pulse Leader’s Guide provides a good start point for conversations with your people on what is working well and areas that could be improved. Army leadership also study the pulse survey results to ensure we understand the key issues and opportunities for our people.

As we are gearing up to grow in certain trades to prepare for the introduction of new capability, we have been working closely with recruiting to make sure we are in the best position to recruit the right people. We have been working on new initiatives; many which have been led or instigated at unit level, to help attract the people we need in our army. We have a close working relationship with Defence Recruiting and have provided additional staff to work with applicants in the recruiting pipeline. Some of you have been engaging with potential recruits either as a Recruiting Ambassador or through community activities organised at unit level. Quality interactions between the public and our people make a difference and I encourage you to get involved with recruiting activities where your schedules allow.

I also encourage you to get involved with the Gender Inclusive Army project. This is a new project, aimed at improving the experience of service in our Army for all genders. You may already have started to see some action. We have recently released the Parenting Guide for service people and the leader’s guide is almost ready to be published.

Feedback so far is that this information contained in one place has been welcome for parents and commanders alike. There are a number of other initiatives underway and we really want you to be involved. As we progress on

this journey, I encourage you to provide feedback and get involved.

As you know our performance reporting has become more manageable with the introduction of PDR3. I am heartened to hear so many of you have attended training or watched the PDR3 training video. Your feedback indicates the training has been useful and there has been a great uptake of the new system, with good quality performance discussions already happening.

PDR3 will be the key document for careers boards in 2021, and its simpler format removes the need for one pager updates to representing officers. I encourage you to complete your PDR career information tab as it contains important information for you and the career boards.

2021 will see us review our practices in our career management system with a view to delivering information in a different way. We will streamline career boards and the feedback you receive from them, including the format and delivery of board letters. We will start advertising for some roles, giving individuals the ability to bid for posts. Position descriptions will be posted online so you can all understand what development will be required to target and become competitive for roles. Our Career Management focus will start shifting towards facilitation; empowering individuals and their commanders to have career development conversations.

Warrant Officer Class One Wiremu Moffitt, DSD, Sergeant Major of the Army Good people = good soldiers. Thoughts on culture and people As we come to the end of the year, I am reminded of what we set out to achieve at its beginning; the goals we met, and the unique nature of 2020 as we confronted a shifting crisis and a generational speedbump that altered the foreseeable future. One thing that didn’t surprise me though was the power of people and their ability to assess and adapt to new challenges. We saw that again this year and I guess we will continue to do so through the decades ahead.

Ultimately what I’ve come to realise is that it is our people and culture that make this Army organisation such a great place to work and live.

Last month I farewelled my father, a long serving soldier, veteran and NZDF civilian. As I cut through grief and presented a eulogy, I couldn’t help but trace the lineage of an interesting career in Army and his bond to something greater than himself. As the good words concluded, I spoke to a commitment to special tenets – citing that, “our unit, like others, bares many traditions and a strong warrior ethos, and that although true culture is less about words and more about action – I was proud he heeded and displayed both.”

The point I was hoping to make was that he believed in the values of our institution and therefore expressed them in words and principled actions through life. The values of a credible organisation and its resulting ethos must be accepted, and, more seriously, believed in at a personal level before one can enact them in behaviour.

The CA has a saying that I often borrow – “good people make good soldiers” and I really believe in it. If at your core, regardless of the soldierly acts we ask you to perform – you are a good person with pure intent, the thinking and the actions you inspire will be equally honourable.

Our culture stems and grows from a history melded in combat. While regrettable, the fact is that we originate from the New Zealand Wars in a contest of wills, expansion, and for indigenous Māori – a right to freedom and stewardship of land.

But as a new nation, I believe we are stronger for that contest.

Our traditional military is aligned to the British Army and we draw great professionalism, a sense of standards, and fighting doctrine going back to beyond the Roman legions. Equally, we honour Nga Tama Toa a-Tu, our Māori lineage – tribalism, connection with the environmental domains, and our intuitive fighting (warrior) spirit. From royal palaces to pa palisades, we embody those distinct differences and their strengths, transforming them into something original and unique to the New Zealand Army.

As we confront new challenges in our generation, it’s useful to question not where we are, but where we stand in the long and unfolding ‘Ngati Tu’ journey. As we attract, recruit and inculcate fledging members of NgatiTūmatauenga, we have got to understand ‘our place’ in the continuum, always conscious of our past. We’ve got to own the responsibility for selflessduty despite obstructions and daily challenges. Lastly, we are accountable to pass over a strong, dutiful, and capable Army to future soldiers of our Force.

I have no query about what makes a good Army – the strength of ours resides in the character of its people and its alignment to values greater than ourselves. It is bred in every soldier and officer we bring into the tribe, and who, over time and through tribulation, will see and believe in the things we cherish most. Such is the power of our people and our culture.

Knowing this, next year we will start strong and with a focus on doing the little things better.

I will demand of you combat mindedness, higher personal standards, greater acceptance of diversity, and more accountability to leadership and training actions. Get ready – and always get after it!

ARMYEXERCISE 21

EXERCISE FALCON

The New Zealand Defence Force’s emergency responders have been sharpening their skills to ensure they are well trained to combat rural fires and challenging motor vehicle accidents.

Exercise Falcon 2020 was a combined services/organisations wildfire exercise conducted in Waiouru Military Training Area.

“The aim of the exercise was to replicate domestic and international operations in a wildfire environment,” said Staff Sergeant Daniel Klaassen, deputy fire chief Emergency Response Troop Waiouru.

“Exercise participants were tested in core rural tasks including initial fire suppression, prescribed vegetation burning, remote area fire team operations, working with aircraft at wildfires, working with heavy machinery and night operations.”

Senior personnel were also put through their paces as Incident

Management Team members, co-ordinating all resources in real time during the live fire training aspects of the exercise.

This year things were a little different. Early in the planning stage of the exercise it was decided to use this opportunity as pre-deployment training prior to Operation Vulcan, a NZDF wildfire deployment.

RNZAF firefighters were also included in the numbers to increase exposure and skill sets across the board and Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) were approached to be part of the exercise. FENZ also provided urban and rural staff, area management personnel and the USAR drone team.

Lifelike training: emergency responders train in cutting through crashed vehicles.

This meant an already strong relationship and mutual training practices between the two organisations were further developed.

25ESS Plant Operators established fire control lines with a bulldozer as part of the indirect firefighting phases which allowed ground crews extra experience working around heavy machinery, said SSGT Klaassen.

“By all accounts, the exercise proved to be a success. It provided participants from NZ Army, RNZAF and FENZ with experience that is impossible to gain anywhere else in New Zealand. This collaboration means we can further develop world class wildfire training for

emergency services from NZDF and FENZ.” After the rural fire training the Waiouru team also completed some advanced entrapment rescue training that replicated some of the most challenging car crash scenarios.

SSGT Klaassen and some of the other senior emergency responders spent some time recreating scenes around Waiouru that the team may encounter on the Desert Road to make sure they were challenged and had to think carefully to solve complex problems safely and successfully.

“You can’t just dive into these situations. You need to look critically, think quickly and analyse

the scene and make decisions that will give the best result in a safe environment.

“You have to make it as lifelike as possible. You don’t get this level of training from reading a book.”

The emergency responders were then allowed to decipher the challenge and develop the best method for a successful rescue under the watchful eye of FENZ regional training officer Chris Kennedy.

22 ARMYTRAINING

KIWIS WINNING IN SINAI

The Kiwis, mid-march.

By Corporal Brooke Stirling

Kiwis were the winners when a March and Shoot and Driver competition (MAS-DC) for the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) was held in South Camp, Sinai recently.

The winning team with trophies.

The MAS-DC was conceived by the Training Warrant Officer as a way to test concepts for the Force Skills Competition which is an annual competition conducted in February. The MAS-DC allowed contingents on six monthly rotations to practise their soldiering skills in a competitive environment.

SSGT Timothy Watt was in charge of the Mads stand and SGT Bridget Johnson the DC stand.

The MAS-DC consisted of 10 six person contingent teams. The New Zealand contingent identified its keen personnel early leaving plenty of time to train; however, multiple injuries and MFO work commitments meant the team was forever changing. The final team was decided three days out from competition and included PTE Coby Devery, SGT Iain LathamProkopowicz, CAPT Matthew Horn, MAJ Peter Bowyer and MAJ Michael Spicer. In addition, the team had the support of our PTI SGT Marshell Oldehaver.

The events: • A timed 500m stretcher carrier at 100kgs, • A timed 2.5 km run with rifles and webbing/body armour (contingent battle rig) and • A time and accuracy-based short-range shoot from 20m and 10m in supported and unsupported firing positions.

• Four stands as part of the driving competition which involved: garage driving, moving in a forward direction, a three-point turn, continuing through a slalom, a diminishing corner and stopping on an A3 piece of paper. From there competitors conducted this in reverse.

Each activity had many penalties up for grabs, it just depended on whether time or accuracy was going to cost the team less. Unfortunately, the team did not know what each penalty would cost, and it became a guessing game.

Carrying a stretcher 500m.

Starting positions were dictated by a lucky dip, with most teams hoping to begin second or third for the day. The later your team started the hotter it would get with temperatures still averaging mid 30s (although this was a lot cooler than what we had experienced earlier in the tour). Over the two days five teams would compete starting from 0545 with half hour spacings. The New Zealanders competed on day one stepping off third.

After a short safety and shooter’s brief from SSGT Watt, the team stepped off on the stretcher carry which had varying terrain and a slight hill climb. From there it was a quick transition into the 2.5 km run, with the team’s combined time coming in at 18.26 and being the fastest overall for that portion of the MAS. The driving competition was up next, with SGT Johnson taking the team through a brief, explaining the route. The decision again needed to be made on whether to focus on time or accuracy.

Taking aim.

Overall, the MAS-DC components combined provided a robust test of teamwork, leadership, marksmanship, fitness, and resilience. Although it was thought having New Zealand contingent members as stand IC’s would give us an unfair advantage, it appeared to be the opposite with harsh penalties coming the team’s way in both stands.

ARMYTRAINING 23

SHARPENING SKILLS IN FIJI A combined training team from the New Zealand Defence Force has been working alongside its Fijian counterparts in areas ranging from basic hydrography to advanced combat first aid as part of a new training initiative in the Pacific Island nation.

The deployment is the first time such a large group has travelled to Fiji to train, coach, mentor and embed alongside military counterparts.

Defence Advisor to Fiji Lieutenant Colonel Josh Wineera said the Covid-19 environment had required a rethink of engagement with military partners, particularly in the Pacific.

“The NZDF has well established health protocols and we have reassured the Fijian Ministry of Health that our deploying personnel will abide by regulations to ensure the safety of the Fijian public,” LTCOL Wineera said.

“This combined training team represents the first face-to-face contact between our nations this year and clearly demonstrates the trust between our two militaries in partnering for essential training.

“Working with our counterparts and growing capability is something we really enjoy doing. We’re very pleased to have been welcomed by the Government of Fiji and Republic

NZ Army instructors SSGT Dave Foothead and WO2 Leigh Robinson, both from the New Zealand Collective Training Centre, went to Fiji with the aim of adding value to current RFMF practices, working alongside the RFMF Force Training Group to deliver the training, and to foster comradeship between our militaries.

The training was at RFMF Vatuwaqa shooting range, Suva.

It was planned and executed

by SGT Sitiveni Tikomelaya of RFMF Force Training Group, assisted by SGT Waisake Tabualevu of the 3rd Fijian Infantry Regiment. Force Training Group was assisted by five other NCOs drawn from across the RFMF.

of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) to assist in this way,” he said.

Team members completed 14 days in managed isolation in Fiji before starting work.

The 15-person team included those skilled in hydrography, advanced combat first aid, an armourer for weapons maintenance, as well as those who teach instructional techniques, and trained shooting coaches.

“In the team, we also have a senior policy analyst from the Ministry of Defence who will share her expertise in policy development with the Fijian Ministry of Defence and National Security. Another team member will assist with policy and doctrine development for the RFMF,” says the team leader LTCOL John Barclay.

A NZDF psychologist was also in the team: “She provided valuable support to developing selection and recruitment criteria when recruiting intakes for the RFMF,” said LTCOL Barclay.

The course was broken into two phases: the first phase focussed on small arms shooting coaching theory and practical using the K2 and AKM assault rifles, the Glock 19 pistol and the RPK light machine gun. Also included were close combat shooting fundamentals.

The course was followed by a one week confirmation phase where the students delivered weapons training to 20 of their comrades from the Fijian Navy.

This allowed the students to immediately put into practice all that they had learned.

The NZDF team used a variety of training methods and scenarios in Fiji.

24 ARMYMISSION

DELIVERING MEDICAL EQUIPMENT IN TIMOR-LESTE DURING COVID-19

LTCOL Martin Dransfield (third from right) with local Timorese who helped transport the equipment.

The New Zealand Defence Force team in Timor-Leste has coordinated and delivered critical medical equipment, supplied by donors in Australia, to four hospitals in the Bobonaro, Cova Lima and Manufahi Districts.

The hospitals are in villages close to the border between Timor-Leste and West Timor, Indonesia.

Lieutenant Colonel Martin Dransfield, until recently the Strategic Advisor to the TimorLeste Army said the decision to distribute to those particular hospitals and districts was two-fold.

“Firstly the proximity to the border made these hospitals the most likely to receive Covid-19 patients due to the spike in cases across the border in West Timor and Indonesia. Secondly, due to our historical and ongoing links with these districts, including where Australian troops served in WWII, where Australian and New Zealand Troops served during INTERFET and the subsequent UN missions, and where five journalists from Australia, New Zealand and the UK, working for Australian TV channels, were killed in Balibo in October 1975.”

The organisation and delivery of the equipment was several months in the making. LTCOL Dransfield linked up with Rotary Timor-Leste at the Dili Port and watched as the 40’ container containing medical equipment was lifted onto a truck and transported to the container storage yard next to the Comoro River.

“At this point it suddenly dawned on me that this was going to be a huge job requiring me to corral people and vehicles in order to start the job of unloading the container, sorting the equipment into four piles and then transporting it to each of the locations. To provide some context the trip by heavily laden trucks to Suai takes 10 hours.

“We started the job of unloading the container, with the intention to first deliver the equipment to Balibo and Maliana. This was the longest day, starting at 7:30am and finishing at 8:30pm. In Dili I recruited Mario and Judith from Rotary in TimorLeste and Warrant Officers Aaron French from the NZDF and Mick Killalea from the ADF to start unloading the equipment, and we were soon joined by Gideo and the team from Balibo.

LTCOL Dransfield made the final delivery of stores to Balibo, which included carpentry equipment, school supplies, crutches, wheel chairs and glasses. “Again this is a special place and I want to acknowledge the Balibo Five, a group of journalists for Australian television networks who were killed in Balibo in October 1975 as they recorded advance elements prior to the Indonesian invasion of Timor-Leste in December 1975. Their memory is kept alive through a museum, dental clinic and many other projects sponsored through Australia.” The group also delivered the ICU neonatal Cribb to Maliana Hospital. “The joy and appreciation of the staff and families when I delivered the unit, with help from the Maliana Hospital team, was incredible. I also had the opportunity, through a tour of the hospital, to witness first-hand the transformation of the wards through the delivery and installation of the new beds.”

“In conclusion I want to acknowledge everyone in TimorLeste, hospital staff, F-FDTL, ADF, NZDF, Rotary, drivers, youth groups, media staff and trainees, volunteers who assisted in delivering much needed hospital equipment to the Same, Suai, Balibo, and Maliana Hospitals.

“A special mention goes to all those who donated equipment in Australia. This was a truly joint Australia, New Zealand and TimorLeste effort to make a difference to those who are the most vulnerable in Timor-Leste, particularly during a pandemic.

“During this project I was assisted by people who not only are the best of people, but also bring out the best in people.”

A very special delivery of equipment to Suai resulted from a special request from me to Australia. On 24 July 2000 one of my soldiers was killed in a contact with pro Indonesian Militia in the border region. Leonard Manning was 23, an only son and a much loved and respected member of my battalion. Since then the Manning Trust has sponsored tens of students through vocational training and we wanted to commemorate his sacrifice twenty years earlier by opening the Len Manning Paediatric Ward in Suai Hospital. The delivery of medical equipment, including beds and ECG machines coincided with these commemorative events and made the week incredibly special.

By LTCOL Martin Dransfield

“The joy and appreciation of the staff and families when I delivered the unit, with help from the Maliana Hospital team, was incredible.”

– LTCOL Martin Dransfield

ARMYPEOPLE 25

ARMY REGIONAL SUPPORT

By Charlene Williamson

Regional Support (Army) delivers a range of non-operational support functions and services to New Zealand Army’s operational commands (1 (NZ) Bde, TRADOC and JSG) to support operational commanders to meet their outputs.

Support functions include, but are not limited to, the management of ranges and training facilities, provision of advice on safety and security, coordination of events, activities and visiting groups, and provision of community support services. Importantly, Regional Support (Army) provides the military link between the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) units and the NZDF civilian service providers such as Defence Shared Services Group (DSSG), Defence Estate and Infrastructure (DEI) and Logistics Delivery Group (LDG).

What can we do for you?

Pete Crawford Hobbies Manager, Linton Regional Support Centre While each camp is slightly different, all NZDF personnel have access to Non-Public Fund resources encompassing a diverse range of hire equipment and storage facilities.

Linton Regional Support Centre, Hobbies Complex Manager Pete Crawford is passionate about supplying safe, quality, reliable, affordable and in demand equipment to personnel.

“My aim is quality customer service, to educate, develop a culture, help and advise personnel to undertake their task the easiest way possible, to the highest standard with low risk.

“In return they enjoy what they do and become more incentivised and motivated to do more. It’s a huge challenge but also rewarding,” he said.

The Hobbies Complex at Linton is a self-sufficient, financially viable, fully accountable operation.

The Hobbies Complex runs its own resources and hasn’t required any financial support for close to ten

Kath Hodgkinson Defence Community Facilitator, Southern Regional Support Centre Defence Community Facilitators are located all around the country and provide a vast range of services to NZDF employees and their families.

Southern Regional Support Centre, Defence Community Facilitator Kath Hodgkinson works on a range of activities each year.

She also provides a variety of community support, including welfare support and guidance to families, connecting them with relevant services and external providers.

“I plan and organise a variety of community focussed activities

years, which is a testament to all involved that the resource is thriving and benefitting a large number of NZDF personnel.

Travis Amorangi

Adam Hoffman

Health and Safety Advisor, Trentham Regional Support Centre

Manager Waiouru Military Training Area, Waiouru Regional Support Centre

Health and Safety is a key area that the Regional Support Centres provide advice on to Units and Command within each camp.

Trentham Regional Support Centre, Health and Safety Advisor Travis Amorangi provides advice and guidance on all health and safety matters.

“I keep abreast of all goings on in camp, not only for Defence but also with our partners (DSSG, DEI and LMNZ). Much of the time I visit units and chew the fat, it’s during these

One of the essential functions that Regional Support (Army) provide is the management of the ranges and training areas that units use daily.

Waiouru Regional Support Centre, Range Manager Adam Hoffman said range control ensures that all activities conducted in the Waiouru Military Training Area (on the ground and in the airspace), are done in a safe, compliant and effective way.

“Our team in Waiouru provides a coordination function for training, emergency response and general use of Waiouru Military Training Area.”

Mr Hoffman said he enjoys the great team environment he works in as well as the diverse and interesting work it brings.

Day-to-day range control can comprise a variety of things, including the management and co-ordination of bookings (from a variety of stakeholders, both internal and external to Army), emergency response, advice and guidance to units, compliance, facilities management, and much more.

informal visits that people will often discuss issues in their areas.

“Sometimes it is better to give a hand up, than a hand out as some issues raised clearly have solutions, sometimes it isn’t always the case,” he said.

Mr Amorangi said he enjoys his role because there are different things happening all the time and his work isn’t just confined to Trentham.

“I cover all of the Upper Hutt Defence Area, I’m lucky that my job has a wide breadth,” he said.

“I love living and surviving on the Central Plateau, especially working in such an iconic environment of the WMTA, with the horses, flora and fauna and under the watchful eye of Mt Ruapehu,” said Mr Hoffman.

that support the wider Defence Community within Burnham for personnel and their families.

“Throughout the year these would include a number of health promotion days, and the Force Financial Hub educational seminars,” she said.

In addition she also delivers some larger scale community events including the Wellness Expo, Easter festivities, Matariki and Halloween festivals, and the Christmas Gala which are all aimed at connecting the Burnham community with fun activities for Defence families.

26 ARMYPEOPLE

ARMY BAND A FAMILY AFFAIR FOR NEW PLYMOUTHBORN FATHER AND SON Father and son duo Private Leigh Martin and Corporal Raynor Martin returned to their home town of New Plymouth when the New Zealand Army Band played there recently.

The family has a long connection with both the New Plymouth music scene and the Army Band; Leigh’s father, Ken Martin, was an army musician during World War II, and his first tuba teacher was former Army Band member Trevor Bremner.

The band has taken the Martins around the world since Leigh joined the Army and the band in 2005 aged 44, and Raynor in 2009.

“I’d always wanted to join the band as a teenager so when there was an opportunity later in my working life I took it, selling up home and business and shifting our family to Christchurch,” Leigh said.

In 2009 he left the Army Regular Force – staying in the band as a Reservist – and returned to New Plymouth, where he was Musical Director of New Plymouth Brass until 2019. In late 2019 he transferred back to Christchurch and rejoined the Army as a Regular Force soldier.

Raynor Martin, who played trumpet and cornet, joined the New Plymouth Learner Band as a

youngster when his grandfather was conductor “so music is in the Martin blood”.

Both Leigh and Raynor played in New Plymouth at the New Zealand Army Band Live concert on 25 November at New Plymouth’s TSB Showplace Theatre Royal.

Covid-19 had changed the Army Band’s plans for 2020 but the Martins said there were still plenty of opportunities.

“I feel very lucky in the current climate to have a job in the music industry. Although we are soldiers in the Army, we still strive to be the best musicians we can be and are lucky enough to perform regularly,” Raynor said.

CPL Raynor Martin with his father, PTE Leigh Martin.

MAKING THINGS EASIER FOR PARENTS AT MIF

By Charlene Williamson

New Zealand Army Soldier and Returned and Services Association (RSA) Canterbury District Vice President, Sergeant (SGT) Lytton Volante is making things a bit easier for parents at Managed Isolation and Quarantine facilities in Christchurch.

SGT Volante has completed two rotations as a co-ordinator at the Managed Isolation and Quarantine facility at the Distinction Hotel in Christchurch as part of the New Zealand Defence Force support to the Covid-19 response.

He recognised how difficult it was for families to keep their children occupied while in the facilities.

“Being a parent myself I thought about what I could do to help them in these circumstances,” he said.

“I discussed my idea with the welfare team and hotel staff as to what they thought would be good, and an idea was born to help take some of the pressure off parents.”

His role at the RSA meant that they have been able to provide welfare packages for children of returning Kiwis.

“The RSA have been able to provide a few simple things like colouring books and pens, toy cars and playdough. We have also given

every family member a poppy.

“The core function of the RSA is welfare, so an opportunity to help was a clear winner. This has been a good way for us to show returning Kiwis that we are still here, and we are here for them,” said SGT Volante.

SGT Volante has three more rotations before Christmas and said that it has been a good experience.

“I have enjoyed the chance to work in a new environment. I can most definitely say that this isn’t what I pictured myself doing when I joined, but that is the interesting

thing about working for Defence – every day is different.”

Above: SGT Volante with Sue and Stan Hansen, RSA Canterbury District President.

ARMYEXERCISE 27

VALUABLE LESSONS LEARNED IN WAIOURUBASED EXERCISE

No. 3 Squadron providing a drop off.

By Major Hemi Smiler

Nothing can really simulate the nuances and realities of commanding a combined arms company group in the field.

That’s what students from the latest Combat Advanced course and the High Readiness Task Unit (HRTU) learned recently during Exercise Not Phantom Major. The exercise’s mission was to qualify the Regular Force Combat Advanced Students on their ability to conduct combined arms company group operations.

But communication issues, missed timings and an adversarial group whose counter action was thoughtful (and sometimes unanticipated) demonstrated one of the certainties of military operations: no plan survives H Hour.

There were some excellent lessons learned during this exercise by the students and the HRTU. Hard decisions about commanding from the FUP, fire support or the back of a communications vehicle were all played out with each presenting unique pros and cons that will leave a lasting impression on the students. The use of TESS by all participants put the HRTU on notice with the adversarial group successfully ambushing the lead elements of the company group more than once.

One of the key highlights of the exercise was the integration of the enablers within the company group.

For the majority of the exercise, No. 3 Squadron supported the company achieving its task with two NH90 in direct support. Importantly, No. 3 Squadron provided an air liaison officer who gave students excellent advice about how to use this capability. Also, five of the newly acquired High Mobility Vehicle Light (HMV-L) were incorporated into the exercise. This provided a challenge to the students who were forced to work out how to employ them tactically within the company group.

The resounding conclusion was to use them as a mobile reserve that was capable of responding quickly to unanticipated situations: what a great capability. Finally, the 16 Field Regiment-crewed RPAS PUMA

was in support to help locate and identify adversarial groups in the battlespace. This proved effective more than once with the students finding the adversary early during mission planning.

Finally, Exercise Not Phantom Major was a great success story – the exercise was able to occur while the New Zealand Army continued its significant contribution to Operation Protect.

The main reason it was able to occur was because of detailed planning and coordination between 1(NZ) Bde and TRADOC who opted for a more nuanced and pragmatic approach to training. This approach will need to become more common as both formations navigate the implications to training created by support to Operation Protect.

CPL Darren Pace commanding his section.

Photos: SGT Sam Shepherd

The RPAS Puma is deployed to screen for the adversary.

28 ARMYPEOPLE

RRF 399 MARCH OUT

The Army’s newest soldiers marched out in front of their friends and family in Waiouru late last month.

Sapper Ric Prangnell was named Top Recruit.

Other awards presented: Top Shoot: Private Jarrod Abelen Top Warrior: Sapper Dion Parlane Sergeant Major of the Army Award: Private John Harmer Top recruits in their individual companies: Sappers Ric Prangnell, Mikaela Bradley, Boaza Raeina, and Private Charlie Ensor Top Instructor: Corporal Siotame Kauhala

Photos: LAC Maddy Butcher

ARMYPEOPLE 29

NEW CLOTHING ALLOCATION SYSTEM TO BE INTRODUCED NEXT YEAR Personnel from Burnham, Army

The NZDF will General Staff, Devonport and Ohakea have been taking part in be introducing piloting and testing the system, ahead of the pan-NZDF rollout. a new Clothing Participants identified some features that needed additional and Personal work, but overall gave positive feedback on the new system.

Equipment System (CAPES) “Overall the system in early 2021, is very easy to use changing the and navigate – the way NZDF process is more manages simplified.” clothing and – Pilot participant personal issue CAPES will help to ensure you’ve items. It will got the right kit at the right time, for your role and function. It will digitise and also improve the reuse of Part standardise Worn Serviceable (PWS) clothing across NZDF. the current The clothing and personal equipment you’re entitled to mix of systems (Scales of Entitlement) will be automated and linked to your HR and manual data – based on your service, trade, rank and gender. Each service processes. person will have a Personal Holding

Work is now underway to plan the rollout of the system across each Service. You’ll have an opportunity during rollout to check your initial Personal Holding Record and get this updated, and to return any clothing you no longer need. If you have spare time over the holidays it might be a good opportunity to check the items you have buried in the back of the wardrobe or garage!

Keep an eye out for posters coming out in your local area, about what you need to do. For more detailed information you can check out the CAPES ILP page.

Record which will be automatically updated when you receive or return an item of clothing.

SUMMER RESERVE INTERN SCHEME Each year Defence Reserves, Youth and Sports (DRYS) organises and funds the Summer Reserve Intern Scheme from November to February. The internship is an opportunity for junior members of the Reserve Forces to use the skills and experience that they have gained through their tertiary studies to support projects and initiatives within the NZDF.

This year the interns include young Reservists from the RNZN and NZ Army who are tertiary students enrolled with the University of Otago, Victoria University of Wellington, Massey University, University of Canterbury and Auckland University. They will be supporting the NZDF in a variety of research and analytical roles across a broad range of fields.

The internship runs until 19 February 2021.

Key to the success of the internship is the submission of Expressions of Interest by HQNZDF Branches and Units who are willing to host and mentor an intern in their area of speciality.

Interns this year have been placed

with Defence Legal Services, Defence Estate and Infrastructure, Defence Reserves, Youth and Sports, Directorate of Safety, Defence Health, NZ Cadet Forces, Defence Technology Agency, Defence Logistics Command and Youth Development Unit.

In 2020 DRYS organised and funded the first Winter Reserve Intern Scheme which ran for six weeks from June to July 2020. While there were some constraints and challenges imposed due to Covid-19 Alert Level restrictions 11 interns supported seven branches on different projects and studies.

If you are interested in getting more information on the Reserve Intern Scheme please contact reserves@nzdf.mil.nz

30 ARMYMISSION

ALL THREE SERVICES HELP WITH SOUTH PACIFIC DELIVERY Soldiers from 5 Movements Company have been working with their colleagues from the Navy and Air Force to deliver much needed infrastructure to Tokelau.

The equipment included 48 water tanks and 154 tonnes of solar equipment, and was shipped to the South Pacific on HMNZS Canterbury.

The ship also stopped in the Kermadec Islands to assist other government agencies with re-supply and maintenance activities on Raoul Island.

Two Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH90 helicopters and a Seasprite helicopter were used to transport the water tanks and solar equipment on to the atolls. The equipment was lowered into a loading zone on land, with no physical contact with people on Tokelau.

The mission to the remote group of atolls in the South Pacific was several months in the planning and as well as all three Services of the Defence Force involved authorities in Tokelau, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, MetService, and GNS. The water tanks will be used at schools and hospitals in Tokelau, while the solar panels will be used to upgrade Tokelau’s renewable energy solar system on the atolls of Atafu, Fakaofo and Nukunonu.

The couple of tonnes of supplies and equipment delivered to Raoul Island will assist MetService and GNS Science with scientific and maintenance tasks in the Kermadec Islands, with staff from

those agencies among passengers on the ship.

Mitigating the risk of Covid-19 reaching Tokelau during the equipment delivery was major priority for the NZDF. All personnel interacting on the island were screened for Covid-19 before leaving the ship. They maintained a four metre distance from any locals and wore personal protection equipment while performing their tasks. All communication with locals was done via radio and all the infrastructure brought to Tokelau was disinfected by a local team. All surfaces in close contact with the NZDF personnel were santitised before departure each day.

ARMYPEOPLE 31

Paddy Hopcroft with the recipe book he has written and produced.

PADDY’S BOOK OF EDIBLE TREATS A WINNER FOR CHARITY Linton mess worker Paddy Hopcroft has written a recipe book to raise funds for charity.

The long-time Defence civilian has been working on his literacy and numeracy skills with the New Zealand Defence College’s Defence Learning team (DLearn) at Linton.

After weekly sessions with DLearn his skills and confidence increased to a level where he decided to write the recipe book, the contents of which he developed and tried out on his parents.

Paddy has been working with the NZDF for 24 years. After completing various training courses with Workbridge, he joined the catering staff at Linton Military Camp.

Starting as a general hand in the mess kitchen in 1996, he became part of the essential team preparing

Preparing dinner in the mess alongside chef Corporal Joe Hungerford-Morgan.

meals and washing dishes for the hundreds of hungry soldiers filing through the door of the Mess. Fast forward to 2020 and Paddy is now Shift IC. Over the years Paddy has become a fixture at Linton, often seen cycling around camp.

Away from camp, Paddy is a man of many talents. He is a long standing member of the Manawatu Classics Rugby League Club. With the club, Paddy travels to both local and overseas rugby league masters tournaments, where he is the club

masseuse, photographer, BBQ chef, and DJ. Paddy’s DLearn tutor Anwyl Minnaar says he has continued to attend his sessions because of the satisfaction he feels in achieving his goals. “He even comes in on days off to attend, and downloads word games on to his phone for extra practice. His skills and confidence have grown in using Microsoft Word, reading, and writing, and he now makes signs for the mess and creates duty lists.”

In addition, Paddy has also begun to create his own greeting cards, writing poetry for the inside of the cards. His next goal is to build on his vocabulary, using more complex words.

“During my sessions I have been working on a book of recipes which I have created, cooked, and tried out on my parents. I like to plate up and present the food I make in a professional way. I take photos and share these with my tutor and on social media.”

He is now taking this love of cooking, and his ever growing literacy skills, to another level through a fundraising effort for Dementia New Zealand, Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ, and Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. Copies of Paddy’s recipe book, ‘Paddy’s House Home Cooking Dinner’, are available for purchase for $10 each. All profits from the sale of

Paddy’s book will be split evenly between the three charities. As at 22 Oct 20, $550 has been raised.

Paddy says the recognition he has received from others about the publishing of his recipe book is like “a pat on the back”.

Anyone interested in purchasing a copy, can contact Paddy at patrick.hopcroft@nzdf.mil.nz

Members of the NZDF, both military and civilian, can access Defence Learning tutoring through their local Adult Learning Tutors – there is at least one on every camp and base across the country.

The teams at DLearn provide tutoring in not only literacy and numeracy development, but also Defence writing skills (such as minutes and service papers), study skills, academic writing, research skills, report writing, and instructor development. For more information on what’s on offer with DLearn and how to find them, go to the ‘Education and Qualifications’ and ‘Learning Resources’ pages in the Learning Toolkit on DIXS. http://ref/sites/learning/ home/default.aspx

32 ARMYNEWS

BOOK REVIEWS Crossing the Lines – The story of three homosexual New Zealand soldiers in World War II

By Brent Coutts Published by Otago University Press The subtitle sells this book a little short. It is not simply the story of three homosexual Kiwi soldiers in WW2, it is a sweeping, vivid account of not just what it meant to be a homosexual in uniform, but of what it meant to be homosexual in 1940s New Zealand.

By providing a wealth of background material on the individuals and the society of the 1940s, Coutts has created a social history that is much more than the story of just three men at war.

Coutts is an academic who has conducted extensive research into a wide variety of aspects of homosexuality and being homosexual in New Zealand in

the 1940s to provide detailed contextual background against which to tell the story of three gay men and their war.

The focus of the book is the story of three men who volunteered for war service and ended up in the Kiwi Concert Party in the Pacific. The three were noted for playing females on stage and there is a nice irony in the fact that, as such, they could live a life they loved, in the midst of such trying circumstances.

The narrative of their wartime experiences draws in other homosexual servicemen and goes into some detail about the fascinating world of homosexual men in the army at a time when it was socially frowned upon and illegal. Coutts’ detailed research paints an engaging portrait of the underground world of homosexual servicemen throughout the forces.

Coutts concludes the book by looking at the post war lives and

mixed fortunes of his protagonists.

The narrative is brought into the contemporary world with a chapter on the way New Zealand society, and the way the NZDF as part of it, has evolved to acceptance and welcome of the rainbow community as being truly representative of the society we serve.

The publication is superbly designed and makes extensive use of a wide variety of colour and black and white photos, diary extracts and other illustrations. Crossing The Lines is a fascinating alternative social history of a little discussed and mainly hidden part of New Zealand society, this important book is recommended for anyone who wants to go beyond the normal subject matter of military history and explore an otherwise little documented element of NZ service history.

• Reviewed by Jeremy Seed

Freyberg – A Life’s Journey

By Matthew Wright Published by Oratia Books Matthew Wright’s biography of Freyberg is intended to be an accessible introduction to this iconic post-WW2 New Zealander. It is a small volume at only 232 pages, but Wright admirably achieves his objectives.

Bernard Freyberg was born in the UK, but raised on the slopes of Mt Victoria in Edwardian Wellington. Freyberg went on via service in The Hauraki Regiment, the Mexican revolution and WW1 to eventually become the commander of 2NZEF and New Zealand’s post-war Head of State.

While best known for his military achievements, Wright has focused on a biography of Freyberg the man, his character, his nature and his personality all of which combined to make him the soldier, leader and statesman he was.

Freyberg was a man perfectly suited to being a senior officer in the class based and rigidly hierarchal British Army, but who was, almost paradoxically also ideally suited to leading New Zealand’s citizen soldiers in WW2. 2NZEF was an altogether more egalitarian and far less rigidly structured, or rigidly disciplined formation than their British counterparts, yet Freyberg could easily move between the worlds of British officers and his Kiwis.

If you want a detailed, analytical breakdown of his tactical prowess in WW1 and WW2, you wont find it here. There are other biographies of Freyberg which detail his abilities as tactician and leader but which don’t tell you much about the man behind the decisions. Matthew Wright’s focus on character and personality is welcome because it provides great insight into Freyberg the man and how and why he was so perfectly suited to working successfully in both British and New Zealand society.

This is a great read that clips along at a fast pace and provides plenty of insight into Freyberg’s life which reads like an action movie script. I thoroughly recommend this life of the man, born plain Bernard who rose to become Lieutenant General, The Right Honourable, The Lord Freyberg, Baron Freyberg of Wellington and Munstead, VC, GCMG, KCB, KBE, DSO & 3 bars… not bad for a boy from Mt Victoria.

• Reviewed by Jeremy Seed

ARMYTRAINING 33

COMBAT TRAINING CHANGES The New Zealand Army is introducing the Army Combative Programme (ACP) to improve soldiers’ and officers’ hand-tohand combat skills.

ACP is combat-oriented training based on common techniques that instil a combat mind-set and develop combat behaviours within soldiers and officers.

It is derived from training programmes taught by the Australian Defence Force and this training will be replace the previous Close Quarter Combat / Military Unarmed Combat package.

Facing an adversary in a close fight has always been up there in what our personnel need to know, and now improvements are being made to make training personnel in the close fight even better.

These improvements include reducing the amount of jargon to a few specific items and then incorporating them all into one training policy. The terms Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Close Quarter Combat (CQC) and Military Unarmed Combat (MUC) will no longer be used.

The following terms will be introduced or retained: Close quarter shooting: This is the recently updated shooting package from Combat School that focusses on dealing with threats from 25 to five metres away through shooting techniques.

Bayonet fighting: This is the updated fighting package to be taught to RNZIR and RNZAC personnel and focusses on dealing with threats from five to one metres away from personnel through bayonet fighting techniques. Bayonet fighting has been removed from the Regular Recruit Force courses (previously called AARC or Basic courses) and can be taught at a commander’s discretion to non- combat corps or on pre deployment training.

Close combat shooting package: This remains the primary package for training personnel to operational level of capability when shooting at distances of less than 50 metres.

It remains unchanged by the introduction of ACP and remains headed up by NZ Collective Training Centre

Combat mind-set: This is the Complete Mental Skills Theory training that prepares service personnel mentally for the challenges they may face in an adverse situation. It is being championed by ACS and taught on NCO and Officer courses.

Use of Force and Tactical Options Framework (TOF): This has been developed by the military police for all NZDF personnel to help them decide when to escalate or de-escalate situations. This will be introduced into initial training as part of ACP and is another tool soldiers can use. The military police are further developing an LMS package to make it easy to upskill in this area.

Watch this space for an update.

Close Combat Training: This is the all-encompassing term to refer to all training that focusses on dealing with threats from 49 – 0 metres away from personnel through all fighting techniques. It is also the title of the DFO (A) Vol 7 Book 1 Chapter 5 Section 7 that contains the policy for this training.

Combat-orientated hand-to-hand fighting skills are needed to: • Instil a combat mind-set. Combatoriented, hand-to-hand fighting training as a part of integrated combat training will support the building of a combat mind-set throughout Army.

• Build combat behaviours.

Mandatory unarmed combat training will provide personnel with the skills to survive a physical encounter at the zero to one metre combat range.

• Improve self-defence in an environment of persistent threat.

All Army personnel could be the target of physical violence while on duty in NZ or while deployed overseas. In many circumstances, Army personnel will not be armed and may have to rely on basic hand-to-hand combat skills to defend themselves and apply lethal techniques.

• Instil the mind-set that hand-tohand combat skills can provide additional nonlethal response options when faced with a physical confrontation in which lethal force is not appropriate.

• Retain weapons. Army has a responsibility to train its personnel to retain their weapon in the event of a physical confrontation and has developed this combat skills training to align with international best practice.

Whatever the kit and equipment they have, soldiers and officers still need to be adept at hand to hand fighting.

Major Matt Singleton, ACP project lead, says ACP supports the need for Army to teach relevant combat-oriented hand-to-hand fighting techniques. “The New Zealand Army has a long history of using improvised weapons and close combat techniques. Consider Lieutenant Ngarimu’s actions in Tebaga Gap during World War Two where he fought off German counter attacks using stones, or on Victor Four where a tracking patrol tackled and detained a Viet Minh sentry. New Zealand service personnel have an enduring requirement to be able to achieve mission success in the close combat space. Even now as the major deployments are wrapping up, individuals deployed overseas need to have the ability to protect themselves.”

ACP is designed to be easy to teach and easy to learn. As part of that, there are fewer technical moves than in the previous package. ACP is also structured to suit the requirements of respective Corps and Units, so that not everyone has to be trained in all aspects of it.

ACP is split into four levels and has an instructor package.

1. Level 1 will equip all personnel to survive a physical encounter and retain their weapon. This will be mandatory training for all ranks and Corps taught as part of ab-initio training.

2. Level 2 will equip personnel to apply lethal and non-lethal techniques in an all Corps environment. This will also be mandatory training for all ranks and Corps taught as part of ab-initio training.

3. Level 3 will equip personnel to apply lethal and non-lethal techniques as part of an infantry section. This is part of the current requirement for Infantry Combatants and is expected to be delivered in early 2021 to Combat Corps Training.

4. Level 4 will equip personnel to apply lethal and non-lethal techniques as part of a Special Forces team.

If a commander identifies the need and has the resources, they are able to request to run higher levels of training from COMD TRADOC. The Army Depot project team has developed Levels 1 and 2 of the ACP as well as the instructor package. They are also developing the ACP Level 3 for release shortly and the programme will be fully operational by 2022. If you have any questions about how you can get involved in ACP training or become qualified contact your unit training wing or raise a training request through your chain of command.

34 ARMYSPORT

INDIVIDUAL SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR

SIONE AKAU

CPL Sione Akau’s first rugby league game was something of a disaster.

The QAMR LAV commander had never played the game before until the first year he enlisted in the Army in 2010.

“I got smashed around a lot and I got a 60 metre runaway to win the game but cramped up 10 metres before the try line. Even though we lost that day, I’ve been addicted to the sport ever since.

I enjoy the physicality and contact in the game.”

It’s fortuitous he stayed with the game: he has now been awarded the Army’s Individual Sports Person of the Year Award.

As a youngster he was always outside. “That saw me play all kinds of sports, but my primary sports now are rugby league, rugby and a bit of golf. I generally play for Linton Cobras but due to Manawatu not having a premier rugby league competition I’ve had to switch codes to rugby.”

CPL Akau plays mainly in the halves. “But as the years have gone by and the kilograms have increased, I’ve slowly started making my way to the forward pack.

The biggest thing I enjoy about playing rugby league is playing alongside mates. How tight we are off the field is shown on the field with the trust and the selflessness that is displayed.”

He says he has been fortunate to have the support of his unit, QAMR. “When I have been selected as part of touring teams, I’ve been excused from Regiment PT so I can train specific for sports. It can be difficult during the busier periods of the year but you make it work.

He played in the tri-series tour last year.

“All the games were quite close but unfortunately we didn’t get the results we were after, and Australia Army Rugby league won the competition. Both our games against the Ozzies and the Brits saw stages where we lead and things were looking promising, but we just couldn’t finish off the job.

Although we didn’t get any wins, the tour was definitely a step in the right direction for growing the code.

There was a lot of lessons learned and definitely a burning desire to be better for the next tri-series. In our match against the Brits, they named me their man of the match.”

CPL Akau says winning the sports award is “pretty surreal”.

“It’s a humbling feeling (receiving this award). I am really fortunate to have a loving partner who always supports me and takes care of our home life so I can continue to play sport.”

CPL Akau won the award earlier this year but, due to having to work at a Managed Isoilation Facility was not available for a photograph until now.

“The biggest thing I enjoy about playing rugby league is playing alongside mates. How tight we are off the field is shown on the field with the trust and the selflessness that is displayed.”

ARMYSPORT 35

NZDF WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM BEAT POLICE AT WAITAKERE The NZDF women’s rugby team showed no signs of limited preparation going into their only game of the season, overwhelming NZ Police 80–0 at Waitakere in November.

During a year in which many activities have been cancelled, including sport, with the focus on protecting our force and everyone in New Zealand, the team had come together only days before the match.

Some players had come from recent deployment working in managed isolation facilities, one other had recently been in managed isolation after returning from deployment overseas, while others had come off ships and camps and bases around the country.

It didn’t matter, as the team ran rampant against the overmatched Police line-up.

The match was the first for the NZDF women in their build-up to the inaugural women’s International Defence Rugby Championship (IDRC) next year. The IDRC will be played in conjunction with the women’s Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2021, which is being hosted by New Zealand Rugby.

It is only the second 15-a-side match played by the NZDF women – the first was a memorable 41–0 win over Australian Defence Force last year. This means that after two games the team has scored 121 points and conceded zero.

The match was a curtain-raiser to the women’s World Cup qualifier between Samoa and Tonga and the Black Ferns against NZ Barbarians.

Player Sapper Krimson Pamata said before the game a training camp was held, starting off with an early morning bronco fitness test.

“Two trainings followed, which covered everything from the basics of catching, passing, and going into contact, to the dynamics of our game plan and the importance of each individual role on the field. As one of the rookies in the Defence Ferns, it was awesome to be a part of a team with so much knowledge of the game, and to be in an environment that made it easy to learn and grow as a rugby player. As we started getting closer to game day, the final touches and minor adjustments were made.”

She said on game day the women looked sharp. “There was plenty of action to be seen, with tries being scored off of some hard fought phases and turnovers.

Not to mention all the amazing conversions. Right from kick off to the 80th minute, the women played an outstanding game of rugby. It was beautiful to watch from the sideline and it was even better being in and amongst the play.

“The culture within the Defence Ferns is second to none. This made it hard to leave everyone at the end of such an amazing week. The friendships made will definitely remain throughout the rest of our careers. During the week we were also lucky enough to be a part of the “Sunday Blessings”, where we helped feed some of the un-homed and less fortunate people in the community. This was an opportunity for us to give back and learn about other people’s lives and their stories. This gave us a great appreciation for all the things we have in our lives and brought us closer as a team.

“The team would like to extend a big thankyou to Defence Ferns sponsors Hirtenberger and Scott Muirson Property. Without them none of this would be possible.”

Jumper ALSS Anita Berry (Navy) soars high, lifted by CPL Bridget Lake (Army, 17), with ENS Kate Williams (Navy, 7) in support.

CPL Crystal Mayes (Army) makes a break.

The haka led by SPR Ngakita Beazley-Ruwhiu (far right) and ALSS Anita Berry (Navy) centre.

Prop CPL Bridget Lake (Army) leads the front row into a scrum.

LCPL Charlie Hunt on the charge.

36 ARMYPEOPLE