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CO m m i t m e n t
w w w . a r m y. m i l . n z
Anzac 2014
Coverage from Gallipoli and France
Enhanced infantry company
Photo feature
NZ as peace keepers
Showcasing our strengths internationally
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comradeship
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integrity
I s s u e 4 5 2 | MAY 2 0 1 4
NZarmy
news
MAY
2014
ISSUE 452
Contents
NEWS
Army 2020—Trusted
Professionals
ANZAC DAY 2014
Exercise Pacific Kukri complete
07
18
10
PEOPLE
Engineers build DOC huts
NZ as Peacekeepers
Smart Ideas wanted
NZ Army Band Golden Jubilee
Once in a lifetime experience
06
08
11
24
25
TRAINING
10
12
16
SNCO Course Top students
Enhanced Infantry Company
Exercise Henry Tucker
SPORT
Burnham Cycling
Golf Update
26
27
The Army News is published for the
Regular and Territorial Force and
civilian staff of the New Zealand Army.
Editor: Nicole Munro
Phone: 04-496-0227 or
DTelN: 349-7227
Fax: 04-496-0290
email: [email protected]
Website: www.army.mil.nz
Printing: Bluestar, Petone.
design: Talima Fiso,
DCG, NZDF
Editorial contributions and
letters are welcomed.
They may be sent directly to the Army News
and do not need to be forwarded through
normal command channels. Submit them to
The Editor, Army News, DCG, 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.
COVER: Lieutenant Colonel
Rose King. See story page 20.
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Dion Taka receives (left) a cheque from LTCOL (rtd) Greg Allnutt of the Fallen Heroes Trust.
FALLEN HEROES TRUST SUPPORTS
PARA-OLYMPIC DREAM
The Fallen Heroes Trust has presented CPL Dion Taka with a cheque
that will enable him to purchase all of the specialist air rifle shooting
equipment he needs to pursue his Para-Olympic dream.
Dion was wounded in Afghanistan, and having always been a sportsman,
his injuries now preclude that.
He and his wife Frances were overwhelmed by the gesture from the
Fallen Heroes Trust.
“This means the world to me. This support will make my dream a reality,
being able to compete at the next level. I only have one goal - Rio 2016,”
said Dion.
Dion has always been a good shooter, and his shooting allows him to
realise there is still a lot he can do.
The Trust provides fallen and wounded soldiers and their families with
a helping hand to live fulsome lives and achieve their aspirations. The
Trust wishes Dion and his family every success as he pursues his ParaOlympic goal.
HOT RESULT FOR ARMY CATERING
The future of Army food is in good hands, with 2CSSB, 3CSSB and WRSC
competitors performing well at the Wellington Culinary Fare and Food Show
this month.
The New Zealand Army had personnel from WRSC and 3CSC competing
individually, with a team from WRSC fighting to defend the Ian McLennan
Trophy. A team from 2CSSB representing NZ Army was up against teams
from the Royal New Zealand Navy and the NZDF Hospitality Services
contractor ESS, for the new Te Ope Katua O Aotearoa Trophy. 2CSSB would
have liked to have put up a team for the Ian McLennan Trophy, but was
unable to spare the manpower due to Ex ALAM HALFA commitments.
The successful 2CSSB team will compete in the Toque d’Or competition at
the NZ Culinary Fare in Auckland, 17 to 19 August against 11 other civilian
catering training establishments.
STOP PRESS
The Armed Forces Canteen Council has announced
that a $83,850 interim surplus for the year ended
31 March 2014 will be distributed to the Army
Welfare Fund account.
Trainee Soup
PTE Foster (WRSC)
Silver
Trainee Waiters Table
Miss Cooper (WRSC)
Silver and top of class
PTE Murphy (3CSC)
Silver
Miss Jones (WRSC)
Silver
Miss Finch (WRSC)
Silver
Ms Mitchell (WRSC)
Bronze
Salmon Open Class
LCPL Wiggins (WRSC)
Bronze
Ian McLennan Trophy
PTE’s Watt and
Stapleton, and Miss
Twomey (WRSC)
Silver
Te Ope Katua O
Aotearoa Trophy
Winning team, NZ Army Silver
LCPL Fraser (Front of
House)
PTE’s Nui and
Chambers (Chefs)
CPL Lister and PTE
Allen (Trainers)
Compass Group ESS
Silver
Royal New Zealand
Navy
Bronze
PINK SHIRT DAY
WO2 Koopu Sue
International bullying awareness campaign, Pink Shirt Day,
was held on Friday 23 May and this year the NZDF promoted
the campaign internally with a poster which you may have
seen around your camp, base or office.
WO2 Sue Koopu and SGT William Maassen of the NZ Army
supported the campaign by becoming NZDF champions.
The poster also features representatives from the other
services, Chief of Defence Force LTGEN Tim Keating,
civilian representative Ms Melanie Chase and OverWatch
representative CPL Hemi Frires.
SGT William Maassen
a
message
from
chief
of army
Pink Shirt Day is about ‘speaking up, standing together
and stopping bullying’ which directly links into the NZDF
core values.
SGT William Maassen said “Life is too short, grudges are a
waste of perfect happiness. Laugh when you can, apologise
when you should & let go of what you can’t change”.
If you need help contact your local Anti-Harassment
Advisor by searching the HR toolkit or calling 0800 693 324.
If you didn’t see the Pink Shirt Day poster, check the
Wellbeing intranet site under DPE.
This year, I had the privilege of being able to spend
Anzac Day in Turkey. The hospitality of the Turkish
people to me and Anna, to Titch and the rest of the team
was outstanding. I think I can safely say that standing
at the Gallipoli peninsular as the sun rose for the Anzac
Day Dawn Service was an experience I will never forget.
As an organisation that spends much of its time
looking forward – training for future operations,
investing time to train our future leaders, testing and
assessing the latest equipment, and looking at ways to
improve how we do what we do – to have the chance to
reflect on our history really brings home the enormity of
the job we have chosen to do.
Our history is what shaped us. From it we gain a real
sense of pride that our profession is one that very few
others can perform. I know I felt that strongly as Anzac
Day dawned. I am willing to wager many of you felt the
same way at memorial services across New Zealand.
PTE Candy demonstrates his trade skills.
WORLD
SKILLS
Five RNZALR automotive technicians competed in the
Automotive section of the World Skills competition,
with one winning the competition, and another coming
a close second.
The competition was held at WelTec, Lower Hutt and was
made up of the following competitors;
PTE Cox, 3 Wksp Coy
PTE Ferguson, 3 Wksp Coy
PTE Wood, 2 Wksp Coy
PTE Candy, TTS
PTE Dean, TTS
All competitors displayed excellent trade skills throughout
the competition which consisted of six tasks, varying
from engine measurements to stripping and assembling a
manual gear box.
PTE Candy (PUT) from TTS won the competition with PTE
Wood from 2 Wksp Coy finishing a very close second.
All competitors were a credit to both the NZ Defence Force
and RNZALR, and the winner of the competition will go on to
compete at the National Competition to be held in Hamilton
in July.
The next four years will see more reflection as the
World War 100 commemorations take place. I anticipate
us using these glimpses into our past as a way to not
only honour those who have come before us, but to
re-instill that sense of uniqueness and pride that the
profession of arms offers; that it takes a well-trained,
highly skilled team - both full and part time military and
civilian colleagues - to maintain a strong, responsive
and effective land force.
We can each be proud of the part we play in protecting
and serving New Zealand, and for offering service those
who need our help. It is what we did at Gallipoli 99
years ago, and what we continue to do today. While the
methods of war-fighting may have changed drastically
over the past century, the reasons why we weigh into
the fray never will.
Lest we forget.
MAJ GEN Dave Gawn, MBE
Chief of Army
a message from the CHIEF OF DEFENCE FORCE
Lieutenant General Tim Keating, MNZM
CDF’s
Five
I have spent much of my first
months in my role as CDF visiting
our camps and bases around New
Zealand, talking with people –
uniformed and civilian – from
most areas and from all of our
Services. This has helped me
build a picture of where we
need to be heading as a military
organisation. I have boiled this
down into five priorities that I
want to share with you all now.
1
A single Plan for the NZDF
Implementing the DMRR – investing in smart
capability, focused on excellence
If we are to be the Force for New Zealand that we
want to be, we need to be working to one plan – one
vision of the future.
The recent Defence Mid-Point Rebalancing Review (DMRR)
conducted with the Ministry of Defence and central agencies
has provided long-term investment certainty for Defence.
We have a clear picture of exactly what defence capabilities
can be delivered for a given level of funding. There will
be investment in improved capability, as was signalled in
Budget 2014. There must also be a focus on continually
improving Defence affordability. This is about delivering
organisational excellence and is directly related to a priority
below about stronger leadership, better governance and
improved management.
This is entirely consistent with our Future 35 Strategy. The
second phase of our F35 Strategy, 2015 - 2020 has always
been about ‘enhanced combat capability’. Now is the time
to clearly state what we mean by this and to commit to the
pathway to achieving the plan. Work on this single detailed
plan is underway. The elements of this plan are found in the
DMRR, the NZDF’s Four Year Plan and will be in our Annual
Plan, and supporting plans such as our workforce plan,
capability plan, and finance plan. This work will be complete
later in 2014, and I will share it with the organisation when it
is finished.
2
Focusing on the delivery of
our core military skills
towards the tasks expected of us by Government
and the people of New Zealand
What is clear is that as an organisation we must
be focused on what makes us unique and special,
that is, the delivery of our core military skills. A secure New
Zealand is critical to our country’s economic and social
well-being. A strong economy and a prosperous workforce
are predicated on protecting New Zealanders, securing our
borders and our Exclusive Economic Zone. New Zealand’s
present and future prosperity is also inextricably linked to
a stable and peaceful international security environment,
particularly in our immediate region.
Therefore to meet the requirements of the New Zealand
Government and expectations of the New Zealand public,
the New Zealand Defence Force must be a modern,
professional military force designed for combat, yet capable
of responding across the full spectrum of operations. A
capacity to do combat related tasks is the fundamental
imperative of a Defence Force. While the use of military force
is an option of last resort, in a sometimes violent world there
are occasions when its use is appropriate and necessary.
Our priority must be the delivery of our frontline capabilities
to ensure Government is provided with military response
options that lie at the heart of our national security.
3
Growing the people we need
and better supporting our military families
I see a significant area where we can and must
do better is how we grow the people we need.
Specifically, we need to be building a sustainable
force generation model delivering the necessary
people capability and capacity.
You’ll know we are successful when we’ve got the people
we need with the skills and experience for the job.
We know we want a Defence Force which reflects the
diversity of the wider community. The recent report on
uniformed women in the NZDF has given us a blueprint for
ensuring there are no barriers to women being successful.
We have more work to do to ensure we are firstly attracting,
and then keeping the people we need, reflecting the
diversity of the community they are drawn from. All of this
is about caring about our people. Similarly, the push for
improved safety systems and culture which began in 2013,
needs to deliver tangible benefits on the ground.
Within this people priority I’ve also specifically highlighted
the need to better support military families. My goal is for
military families to feel better connected to the Defence
Force, and have greater access to information delivered
through channels appropriate to them.
4
Greater partnering
with other agencies and other militaries
My fourth priority is around greater partnering with
other agencies and militaries. We will be working
closer and sharing more information with our
partner agencies from across Government. NZDF
will be considered integral through the contribution we make
to managing risks to New Zealand’s security through Defence
policy and diplomatic activities.
Our key bilateral and multilateral military relationships, in
particular in the Pacific, and with the United States, Australia,
China, ASEAN (especially through the ADMM+ group) and
Europe, will be contributing to New Zealand-Inc priorities.
A new Defence White Paper in 2015 will likely reaffirm
New Zealand’s strategic relationships in the context of
subtle shifts in the balance of power since the last White
Paper. While I do not expect the task of preparing the next
White Paper to be as onerous as the last, it will require
our commitment to ensure that Government policy is well
informed by our experience and knowledge.
5
Stronger leadership
better governance; and improved management
The final priority is what I’m broadly calling
stronger leadership. But it’s more than just
leadership, it’s also about better governance and
improved management.
Part of this is about growing leaders. I’m wanting to
establish development opportunities and competitive
selection processes that ensure there are credible and viable
candidates for all senior positions. Government requires
confidence that the NZDF has the succession-planning
necessary to ensure a pool of talented future leaders are
available to meet the challenges of organisational leadership.
At the more management/governance end, I want good
governance and rigorous oversight of our projects leading to
successful delivery and implementation. I want to increase
the confidence of Government and agencies in the NZDF,
and this will be achieved by providing timely strategic
and military advice that is based on robust analysis of the
issues, available options and fiscal implications that enables
Government to make their policy decisions.
Special Army culture vital
I recently spent a great day in Waiouru with a group from the
Officer Cadet School as they worked through the planning
for an upcoming exercise. It was really terrific to see such a
professional group going about their work, but also enjoying
what they did, and each other’s company. It was the same
feeling I got when I was in Linton, and had a working lunch
with a group of Army leaders who were pretty candid about
sharing with me their thoughts on where the Army is heading.
These powerful impressions I took away are matched with
survey data which points to Army’s morale improving from
mid 2012. At the heart of this result is the special culture
unique to your Service – what attracted you to an Army life in
the first place and which inspires you to do your best for the
person alongside you every day.
“Your Army culture is as unique
as the uniform you wear, the
language and names you use,
and the badges and insignia you
wear. These are all important
symbols. That special identity
must be preserved”
Your Army culture is as unique as the uniform you wear, the
language and names you use, and the badges and insignia you
wear. These are all important symbols. That special identity
must be preserved. As Chief of Defence Force I see a crucial
role for me supporting your Service Chief maintaining those
characteristics that make the Army special, and which ultimately
supports you being our experts over the land domain.
Over these two pages I have set out my priorities for the
Defence Force as a whole, so you have clarity as to the
direction we are all headed. But within this direction, Army
will be mapping out where it contributes to these goals, and
our Future 35 strategy. So we can be unified in our approach
– the more “joined up” you have probably heard your leaders
talking about, without losing what makes the Army great.
A well earned reputation
as a Force for good
The Service person holds a unique position of responsibility
in New Zealand society. We are the organisation charged
with protecting the interests of our country. In this we are a
force for New Zealand. In doing so, if need be, we use deadly
force in the discharge of this duty. Given this weighty role and
responsibility, it is right that people in the military are held to
the highest standards.
In recent months there have been two summary trials that
involved the issue of booby traps and their potential use
by operationally deployed NZDF force elements. It is not my
intention to comment on the outcome of either of those trials,
however, I wish to reinforce the commitment of the NZDF to
compliance with the Law of Armed Conflict and the numerous
treaties entered into by the Government of New Zealand that
regulate the methods and means of how the NZDF operates in
a time of conflict.
New Zealand is a committed state party to, and fierce
champion of, the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the
Use, Stockpiling Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel
Mines and on their Destruction; and the Convention on
Certain Conventional Weapons and its Protocols. Both of
these treaties regulate and in certain cases absolutely
prohibit the use of certain weapons. The ban on the use of
anti-personnel mines is one such absolute prohibition.
It is not general practice to comment on matters relating
to Rules of Engagement but on this occasion I take the
opportunity to confirm that the Rules of Engagement used
by NZDF personnel in Afghanistan were entirely consistent
with international and domestic law. Nothing in the
Rules permitted or authorised the use of indiscriminate
or prohibited weapons – nor would they. Our efforts in
Afghanistan to avoid unnecessary or indiscriminate civilian
casualties has been of the highest standard.
The safety of New Zealand forces and the protection of
civilians in the battlefield remain two mutually compatible
and achievable principles to which the NZDF is committed
to. The NZDF trains its forces to the highest possible
operational standard, including training and qualification
in the Law of Armed Conflict. The NZDF does not train its
personnel in the use of prohibited weapons or the unlawful
use of permitted weapons.
I will continue to support our deployed troops in any lawful
way I can. I will not however support the use of indiscriminate
weapon systems.
“The safety of New
Zealand forces and the
protection of civilians in
the battlefield remain two
mutually compatible and
achievable principles which
the NZDF is committed to.
The NZDF trains its forces
to the highest possible
operational standard”
06armyPEOPLE
issue 452 | May 2014
Linton sappers work with DOC
on tramping hut project
Sappers from 2 Engineer Regiment have built a new tramping
hut for the Department of Conservation (DOC).
The original hut at Maropea Forks in the Western Ruahine
Forest Park was popular with trampers, hunters and fishers.
It was replaced as it was falling into disrepair and was
precariously close to the water’s edge due to changes in the
Maropea River channel.
The team of engineers from 2nd Engineer Regiment,
Linton Military Camp, included a plumber, builders and an
apprentice, who doubled as a medic. They were transported
to the remote site by helicopter, spending 10 days at a time
working on the project over the past two months.
The group was hindered by Cyclone Luci and recent weather
bombs, which meant extra effort was needed to stay on task.
Pulling out all stops the team stayed on schedule. However
safety was paramount, especially in such isolation, so when
the weather closed in the tools went down.
“We caught up a lot of time by working longer hours when
the weather let us, making sure we stayed within safety
“It is always interesting to see
how other agencies conduct tasks
such as this. It provides us with a
lot of experience and knowledge
when dealing with any other non
military organisation”
parameters,” said CPL Paul Cassidy.
Supplies for the build were provided by DOC.
The team said it was a great experience working with
agencies outside of the military.
“It is always interesting to see how other agencies conduct
tasks such as this. It provides us with a lot of experience
and knowledge when dealing with any other non military
organisation,” said CPL Cassidy.
DOC’s Partnership Manager, Chris Lester, said the two
organisations had worked well together on the project.
“We’ve been impressed by the work and morale of the guys
on the ground. Army are an excellent partner for DOC and are
delivering a great hut that New Zealander’s will be able to
enjoy for many years to come,” he said.
ARMY RESERVE SAPPER AWARDED CHIEF
OF ARMY COMMENDATION
Sapper Toby Hutton with Chief of Army, MAJGEN Dave
Gawn
By MAJ Syd Dewes
Sapper Toby Hutton, an Army Reserve soldier serving
with 1 Field Troop, of 2 Engineer Regiment RNZE, has been
awarded the Chief of Army’s Commendation for outstanding
performance of duty. Sapper Hutton was one of a number
of Army Reservists from Arch Hill who volunteered to assist
the Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference and Pacific Armies
Management Seminar (PACC PAMS) held in Auckland in
2013; those two conferences were a significant undertaking
by our Army.
Sapper Hutton was seconded to the PACC PAMS
secretariat and quickly distinguished himself as a confident,
enthusiastic and reliable soldier. Those qualities combined
with his excellent knowledge of the Auckland area led to him
being specifically chosen to support the most important VIP
itineraries which included General Brooks the Commanding
General US Army Pacific, Ms Ameerah Haq the UN Under
Secretary General, the Bangladesh Chief of Army (who will
host the next conference), the Canadian Chief of Army and
Republic of Korea delegation. His work as chauffer and
tour guide and his insights into New Zealand and wider
international issues contributed in no small way to enhancing
the impression our visitors have of the quality of soldiers
in our Army. Ms Haq remarked that she was impressed
by his attitude and insights into New Zealand and wider
international issues - the fact he was a soldier of private rank
did not go unnoticed.
Colonel Martin Dransfield, the NZ Co-Chairman for PACC
PAMS 2013, said, “everything Sapper Hutton did was carried
out with attention to detail, personal initiative and completed
to the highest standard, and he was deserving of recognition
for his contribution to the success of PACC PAMS 2013.”
Major General Gawn when presenting Sapper Hutton
with his Commendation said Sapper Hutton “brought great
credit on himself and the New Zealand Army. He displayed
maturity and skill well above his rank and everyone he
came into contact with was impressed with his bearing,
professionalism, knowledge and courtesy and he contributed
in no small way to enhancing the impression our visitors have
of the quality of soldiers in our Army.”
Sapper Hutton was joined by his very proud parents Jon
and Debbie, and partner Shannon. Despite personnel being
away on Ex ALAM HALFA and NZDF Recruiting visits, those
present to witness the award were a fine demonstration
of comradeship and acknowledgement of a fellow military
member’s success. I acknowledge on behalf of Sapper Hutton
the Reservists who took time off from work to be at the
ceremony and thank them for their support.
Our Reservists volunteering for military duties such as
what has happened for PACC PAMS, Christchurch Quake,
the Rena grounding in Tauranga and civil defence call-outs,
highlights their contribution to Army’s ability to meet its
Defence outputs. The benefits of engaging Army Reservists,
like Sapper Hutton, who have the local knowledge and
community connections, has once again been clearly evident.
Well done Toby.
armyPEOPLE07
issue 452 | May 2014
Army 2020—TRUSTED PROFESSIONALS
By Lieutenant Colonel Mick Alexander
The March issue of Army News launched NZ Army’s five
strategic themes that outlined the key areas of focus for our
organisation for the next five years.
These themes, while broad, begin to shape the projects we
will undertake, the thinking we will develop, and the plans
we need in place to move towards Future 35 – the Chief of
Defence Force’s strategic direction for the whole of the New
Zealand Defence Force. For NZ Army, Future 35 sees the
development of our land forces, optimised for operations in a
joint, interagency and multinational environment.
Trusted Professionals – the fourth of Army 2020’s five
themes looks at three distinct areas:
• enhancing land worthiness via training effectively and
safely,
• better utilising a knowledge domain to provide our
people with a knowledge edge in the complex future
operating environment,
• and improving human performance inclusive of physical,
cognitive, ethical and leadership performance and
resilience.
The Army’s profile has been elevated over recent years due
to operational deployments and support to the aftermath of
the Canterbury earthquakes. The Army has had prolonged
and almost continuous commitments to operations
extending back over the last 15 years. More recently we have
undertaken significant structural and organisational changes
with plenty of teething issues to contend with. These things
have not occurred without a cost to the fabric of our DNA as
an Army.
In order to be professional there are a number of
fundamentals that we need to fix in the areas of land
worthiness (including being prepared for new workplace
safety legislation) and adapting from lessons learned.
After fixing these, there are a number of enhancements
to be pursued in the areas of knowledge edge and human
performance.
The question for the NZ Army implicit within this theme
is “how do we renew our commitment to the ‘Profession of
Arms’ and our status as ‘trusted professionals’?”
Why Trusted Professionals matter
Being part of the military is a special undertaking. We train
and prepare in order to be capable of deploying on operations
where we put life and limb on the line. The nature of what we
prepare for includes significant risks. These risks are present
during both training for and during operations.
We have a duty of care which takes on a number of guises:
• that we can be relied on by the Government and people
of New Zealand to do our job well on operations.
• to ensure that everyone in our Army is kept safe during
training and operations,
• and that we are skilled and trusted professionals who
can rely on each other when the chips are down.
We hold another special responsibility when deployed on
operations – the responsibility of deciding if and when to
apply firepower. We pack a reasonably sized stick in the form
of firepower - which we hold back and use as a deterrent
until necessity requires us to pull the trigger and bring to
bear whatever the situation requires. Sometimes a situation
requires applying as much firepower as we can muster at the
point of impact.
The Army is not a profession simply because we say it is.
In the absence of an endless supply of smoke grenades, the
trick to being perceived as professional both internally and
externally is quite straight forward – be professional and the
rest will take care of itself.
Land worthiness
Land worthiness is about ensuring that all the contributing
components that make up a deployable capability are fit
for purpose to be deployed in the field during training and
on operations. This maximises that likelihood of achieving
mission success with all practical efforts made to eliminate or
minimise risks and hazards.
Some of the elements of land worthiness include:
• having people in the right numbers and with the right
knowledge, skills and experience,
• ensuring that weapons and equipment are designed,
constructed and maintained correctly,
• and using weapons and equipment within design
specifications and operating intents,
There are three land worthiness components that will be
tackled within the theme of Trusted Professionals.
The first is the development of a formal land worthiness
framework (along similar lines to the airworthiness
framework already in place and the seaworthiness framework
currently in development). A subset of having a land
worthiness framework is making sure that it is clear and easy
for people to understand and comply with legislation and
regulations.
The second is to establish an assessment capability to
measure the effectiveness of land units against METL and
DLOC – that is, a capability to independently ask and answer
the question “are we at the standard we need to be at?”
The third is to review the application of the systems
approach to individual training. There is a split in process
responsibilities between the Army and the New Zealand
Defence College. At the moment we seem to have a disparity
between training development capacity and requirements –
both need to be reviewed with a view to bridging the gap.
Knowledge edge
Knowledge edge is about making sure the knowledge we
have within our organisation feeds into and modifies the
way we do business. It is also about ensuring our people
have a knowledge edge in the complex future operating
environment. We need to be adaptive learners in the
information age.
Although this area of the theme hasn’t been fully scoped
yet, it is currently envisaged that there will be three
knowledge edge components that will be tackled.
The first will ensure that the results of Courts of Inquiry and
Command Investigations systematically feed into the way we
do business and we adapt. It is quite likely that this feedback
loop will be a plug into the land worthiness framework.
The second is validating our lessons learnt process. The
current lessons learnt system needs checking to ensure that
we are recording lessons, observations and insights in a
meaningful and then accessible way.
The third is ensuring that our operational information
systems and architecture enable knowledge to be freely
accessed, shared and applied (enabling the right information
to be gained by the right people at the right time.
Human performance
Human performance is about making sure that as individuals
we are prepared as well as we can be for the demands of the
future operating environment.
Once again, this area of the theme hasn’t been fully scoped
yet, but it is likely that there will be three components to be
tackled.
The first is lifting ethical and leadership performance. The
moral component of fighting power is underpinned by a
strong and clearly understood ethical base.
The second is enhancing resilience of people. Nearly 15
years of continuous operations, high tempo and structural
change have put great strains on our people and families.
We need to ensure that we are prepared to meet the realities
of the future complex operating environment including the
possibility of frequent and potentially longer deployments.
The third is lifting physical and cognitive performance.
Being a soldier is physically demanding –operations always
occur in tough environments with austere conditions. There
are also cognitive challenges in the information age where it
is easy to drown in the endless sea of information.
The way forward
By now you have worked out that in the Trusted Professionals
theme everything come in 3’s (a chocolate fish goes to the
person who emails me with the most clever and inventive
reason why – judging panel decision will be final).
However, during at least the next year the almost singular
focus of the Trusted Professionals theme will be on the
area of land worthiness. Why? The initiatives of Army 2020
will play out over the next five years or so – Army 2020 is a
middle distance race which requires us to pace ourselves
by implementing well considered and resourced initiatives
rather than a Usain Bolt sprint.
08armyPEOPLE
issue 452 | May 2014
New Zealand as
Peacekeepers
By COL Martin Dransfield
In October this year, New Zealand will seek a non-permanent
seat on the United Nations Security Council in 2015-16,
following an impressive record in Peacekeeping Operations.
Recently I addressed a number of national representatives
who were visiting New Zealand from New York, outlining what
we see from a practitioner’s point of view as our strengths,
both in terms of contributions and in the way we approach
peacekeeping operations.
Since 27 July 1950 when, at the request of the Secretary
General, governments were asked to provide military
assistance to the United Nations forces in Korea, New
Zealand has contributed forces alongside nations from
across the globe as part of peacekeeping missions. In fact we
have contributed to over 40 peacekeeping operations in 27
different countries.
From providing unarmed military observers in various
missions throughout Africa and the Middle East - including
the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation: Middle
East, (UNTSO) from 1954 till today, as well as providing
demining experts in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Angola,
Mozambique, Laos and Lebanon - to providing an infantry
battalion group on the Timorese border as part of the United
Nations Transitional Authority in East Timor (UNTAET) from
1999 till 2002, New Zealand’s efforts in the international
peacekeeping arena have been significant.
Understandably the operations and roles we have played
have changed over the years. The initial deployment of
Observers, Liaison Officers and Staff Officers to UNTSO
remains our most durable commitment and we still provide
eight officers to this mission today. Additionally we provide
staff officers and observers in a number of missions
including to South Sudan with UNMISS, in Iraq with UNAMI
and to Afghanistan with UNAMA. We have also developed
skills in niche areas, most notably in Demining. Our skills
have been recognised worldwide, with our people taking on
key mine action advisory positions. Perhaps our greatest
legacy, however, has been in training local teams. As Colonel
Paul Curry said, “we spent a lot of time in the minefields. This
takes a measure of trust in the Deminers, but also showed we
have faith in them”.
Most recently we had a team working alongside 30 other
nations in the United Nations Mine Action mission in
Southern Lebanon, helping to successfully clear 32 million
square metres of land in 18 months. Our team alone cleared
the township of Khirbit Salim and destroyed over 2000
unexploded munitions. The impact on our team at completing
this mission was best expressed by the leader when he said
“our training prepared us for the physical work, but nothing
could prepare us for the satisfaction we felt watching the
land we’d just cleared being re-occupied. We could see
immediately what a difference our work was making to the
lives of the Southern Lebanese people.”
In terms of location, the Southwest Pacific is our back yard
and it is here that we have played our part in areas of conflict
such as Bougainville, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands.
The successful mission in Bougainville is one of our
proudest achievements, in part due to the leadership role
we played and also due to our peacekeepers being unarmed.
Whilst our peacekeepers initially faced suspicion from the
islanders, by using their negotiation skills and knowledge of
the Pacific way, they were able to get alongside the various
factions and convince them to make peace. As Major Ged
Shirley put it “carrying guns would show a lack of trust, and it
would defeat the purpose of monitors in Bougainville.” Being
unarmed was a risk, but was seen as one of the key factors in
why Operation Bel Isi was so successful.
This mission demonstrated some of New Zealand’s unique
national characteristics in the way we operate. We are a
multicultural society that not only respects the diversity of
our own society and national make up, but also those of other
nations. The approaches developed in Bougainville were
used to equal effect when New Zealand helped the Solomon
Islands recover from civil conflict through the Regional
Assistance Mission (RAMSI) mission from 2003 till 2013.
We have also been successful in our engagement with
forces from other troop-contributing nations. In particular
the New Zealand Battalion during the UNTAET mission in
Timor was more accurately called a Multinational Battalion including rifle companies from Nepal, Fiji, Ireland, Singapore
and Canada. Exploiting the strengths each of these forces
brought to the mission enabled us to work effectively with
the UN agencies to recover 1000’s of displaced people to East
Timor and to support the UN mission in the fields of security,
improved health, education and infrastructure developments.
One of the key themes of the PACC/PAMS Conference held in
Auckland in 2013 was the role of military forces in developing
national forces. This is well illustrated in the provision of a
military training team and staff officers that are embedded
in the Timorese Defence Force. These teams remain, working
alongside our Police Training Team, in Timor today. Another
example was during my two year tour as UNMIT’s Chief
Military Liaison Officer, where the SRSG, now USG DFS Ms
Ameerah Haq, requested the use of military liaison officers
to train the Timorese Defence Force in the role that military
forces play in peacekeeping missions, focussing on the
protection of civilians, human rights and the law of armed
conflict. This training resulted in the successful deployment
of Timor’s first UN Observers to South Sudan in 2011.
Of course, no article on New Zealand’s involvement in
peacekeeping would be complete without mentioning
our contribution of a Provincial Reconstruction Team
in Bamyan, Afghanistan. Here again we focussed on
“carrying guns would
show a lack of trust,
and it would defeat the
purpose of monitors in
Bougainville.”
capacity building and our Police Training Team were
recognised for the role they played in introducing a
community policing model in that province. Of interest
however, was the widening role of our contribution with
the inclusion of governance and development advisors
as part of our Team, and the periodic use of agricultural
experts throughout the province and the establishment
of a University in Bamyan. The former Governor, Habiba
Sarabi, went on record to say that the New Zealand
PRT’s support in the fields of security, good governance
and improved health, education and infrastructure
developments had changed the face of her province.
As a country, we can be very proud of our contributions
to UN peacekeeping – each grounded in our national
character. We are collaborative, pragmatic and respectful
team players committed to delivering real results. As a
Defence Force we provide a combination of leadership,
niche capabilities, and multicultural awareness that
provides our people with a greater understanding,
appreciation and sensitivity to the history, culture, values,
experiences and lifestyles of the different countries
we work in. Perhaps the most important attribute we
bring though is a determination to get the job done.
Want to find out more about our
international peacekeeping operations?
Army News has five copies of the book “The
New Zealand Army – Peace Support Operations
1950 – 2013” to give away. To enter the draw,
email your name, postal address and contact
details to [email protected]. Winners will
be drawn at random.
armyTRAINING09
issue 452 | May 2014
Train Safe
Train Safe Case Study 15
Train Safe Case Study 16
The objective of Army health and safety is to maximise the operational efficiency
and effectiveness of the Army by minimisation of non-battle casualties, that is – the
reduction of manpower wastage from preventable illness and injury.
The Army already applies a wide range of environmental, occupational health and
safety, and training safety practices and standards. These practices and standards
include not only the normal range of civilian regulations applicable to peacetime
circumstances, but also operational and tactical procedures designed to ensure that
training and operational objectives are met with the least risk to those involved in
meeting those objectives.
The Incident
xx A unimog 1700 truck was being driven on SHW 54 in the vicinity of Vinegar Hill.
xx The vehicle was delivering equipment in support of a unit activity.
xx Verbal Orders were given to the co-driver and were followed.
xx While negotiating a corner the vehicle rolled.
xx The driver sustained severe concussion, damaged ribs, a separated AC joint and
the temporary loss of memory.
xx The co-driver sustained slight concussion.
The Incident
xx A unit was conducting 81mm Mortar Live Field Firing (LFF) in the Waiouru Military
Training Area (WMTA).
xx Two rounds were fired as part of the bedding in mission for the Mortar and Base
Plate.
xx The rounds impacted outside the arc’s of the template and the training area.
xx The rounds impacted on Department of Conservation (DOC) Land.
Facts
xx The driver had sufficient rest and
was off duty for the weekend prior
to the driving task.
xx The road was dry and in good
condition.
xx Both occupants were wearing their
seatbelts.
xx The police were notified
immediately by a civilian at the
scene.
xx The controlled stores were secured
at the scene and later recovered by
the unit.
xx No other vehicles were involved.
Facts
xx The mortar line safety supervisor
and the command post operator
had only recently qualified on the
Mortar Course.
xx The mortar line had already been
established prior to the arrival of
the safety supervisors.
xx DOC was notified of the incident.
xx There were no injuries to military
or civilian personnel, and only
superficial impact damage was
evident.
xx The correct actions for a
ammunition incident were carried
out.
Findings
xx The unimog had no defects.
xx The driver was qualified to drive the
vehicle.
xx Excessive speed and lack of
concentration by both the driver
and co-driver were contributing
factors.
Conclusion – Fault Checking and Individual Responsibility
xx What do you think?
xx The driver was charged by the NZ Police with careless driving and was
awarded diversion, ordered to pay $150.00 donation, and to attend a
defensive driving course.
xx The driver and co-driver undertook driver retraining.
xx The NZ Army has a safe driving campaign and driving policy, have a read,
they are our risk management toolkit.
Findings
xx The mortar line safety supervisor
and the command post operator
were relatively inexperienced.
xx The cause of the rounds being
fired outside of the arcs was the
incorrect adjustment of bearing
scales by the number 1 on the
mortar.
xx The mortar line safety supervisor
did not physically check the sight
setting and the lay of the mortar to
ensure it was correctly laid within
the arcs.
xx The command post operator failed
to check if the mortar line safety
supervisor had carried out his
checks.
Conclusion - Individual and Collective Responsibility
xx What do you think?
xx The prime reason for this ammunition incident was the failure of the mortar line
safety supervisor to physically check the C2 sight before the bedding in mission
was fired.
xx In hindsight, both safety supervisors accept that given their lack of experience,
they should have taken the time to be a little more deliberate in their actions.
xx The RCO followed all safety procedures and correctly reported the incident.
‘We cannot direct the wind but
we can adjust the sails’.
‘Perhaps the hardest lesson to learn is not to be
attached to the results of your actions’.
This case study is based on real events.
Some details have been omitted to protect privacy.
This case study is based on real events.
Some details have been omitted to protect privacy.
10armyTRAINING
issue 452 | May 2014
From left to right: A/SGT Moore, NZGS, RNZIR, CPL Marsh, RNZAC and CPL Old, RNZE
RF AC SNCO CSE 14/01 WAI
Written by: CPL M Brooks, CPL J Fraser and CPL D Old
First thing on the massive undertaking that is the SNCO
Course, is the Experimental Leadership Development
Activity (ELDA) and the Lead Leaders phase. This is a two
week excursion in the South Island consisting of delving deep
into your style of leadership and pushing you out of your
comfort zone.
On the first week we conducted the Lead Leaders phase.
As you can expect on the first day most people only knew
one or two people and stuck to them until introductions
were conducted. During this week we learned about
enhancing our subordinate’s working environment and
managing their careers.
We conducted a number of social engagements with the
course members and staff over this week, during one of
which we were introduced to the latest and greatest argument
mitigation tool developed by MI Coy, the Armadillo.
This has proven to be quite an effective tool for settling
disputes in a command team and we hope to see this
employed in the future.
On the second week the course split in half and we all
disappeared to take on the challenges of Rock Climbing and
White Water Kayaking.
The crew that went Rock Climbing travelled to Wanaka and
enjoyed bright sunny days as they were clinging to rocks,
trusting their fingertip handholds and the anchors that they
had wedged into cracks, hoping that they didn’t fall to certain
death. They worked during the morning, had the afternoon to
relax by the pool, and then worked in the early evening.
The crew that went White Water Kayaking travelled to
Murchison and enjoyed the freezing cold water when they
fell out of their kayaks and the beating hot sun when they
managed to stay in them. Some long days were worked, but
the team had a great time.
Also during the Rock Climbing and White Water Kayaking
we conducted the Hogans evaluation system. This provided
everyone with a very hard and real look into how they
conduct themselves as leaders and provided them with tools
to develop themselves.
After two weeks of team building and learning about our
true personalities, 19 CPL’s moved into the abiding comfort of
Waiouru Military Camp. For the next five weeks we would be
submerged in a vast array of leadership topics. With our team
mascot, the wee black cat, at our side we were ready to take
on any assessment. During this training there were three key
topics that stood out in our development.
Dressed in our SD’s we conducted many rehearsals for the
unwanted but necessary training in funeral drill. However
close certain aspects were to each of us, we learned the
commands and roles of each vital player to a high standard.
Round two of the wearing of our ever so comfortable SD’s
was for the Company drill. Ten rounds of the command “GET
ON PARADE” was yelled in order to direct us around the
parade ground. The many words of commands that sounded
clear in our heads but came out as a foreign language in the
heat of the day was evident of how we need to conduct drill
on a regular basis; however overall there was a high level of
drill produced by us all.
After being assigned our individual BHE topics we were all
sent to work on the development of a weeks training then the
actual conduct. Many red pens were harmed in the making
of this due to the amount of corrections that needed to be
made. This training enabled us to get an insight as to how
much planning goes into a basic exercise and all the ‘behind
the scenes’ movement.
An area that I struggled and learned a lot with was the TEWT
phase. TEWT stands for Tactical Exercise Without Troops and
as it sounds it is the ‘chess board’ of how to play war. At first I
did not understand why someone of my trade (a medic) would
need to be aware of this topic but as the lessons progressed
it became clearer. At any point in a command role you may
find yourself in the helm seat and need to be aware of how
the battle is played out. The area I struggled with was my
limited infantry knowledge, however this was addressed
with the several paired and single summative’s before
our formative. I felt that this topic was where I learnt and
improved my basic soldiering and leadership skills.
The field phase of RF AC SNCO CSE 14/01 WAI would see
the entire course run the battle handling exercises they had
planned and be tested in various command positions, mainly
Platoon Commander and Sergeant.
For once the Waiouru weather was playing the game and
only once threatened with the dreaded R. The 19 BHE’s
conducted over the nine and a half day period utilised a large
amount of zones and facilities with in WMTA from Carbuncle
and Sphinx to the UCV and UTF, the variety in areas meant
that a sixteen hour day was spent on different tasks in
different areas.
For most course members this was the first time that they
had planned, implemented and overseen the full process
from woah to go and the training and learning outcomes
gained were invaluable.
The following course members have been recognised for
their efforts on the course with the following awards:
Top Student: CPL Marsh, RNZAC
Leadership Award: CPL Marsh, RNZAC
Regimental Award: CPL Old, RNZE
Peers Award: A/SGT Moore, NZGS, RNZIR
Personnel from the 1st Royal Gurkha Rifles (1RGR)
have completed Exercise Pacific Kukri 2014. Pacific
Kukri is a biennial exercise hosted by NZ Army
conducted throughout April this year. The exercise
was focussed on live firing in the Tekapo Military
Training Area with the chosen area allowing 1RGR
to make maximum use of land areas not available to
them in Brunei.
Officer Commanding B-Coy, 1RGR, Major Leigh
Roberts noted that, “we come to New Zealand to do
all the training that we can’t do in a close country
environment back home. We’re jungle specialists
but our training areas are restricted so we’ve come
here to ensure we’re operationally ready for all
environments and terrains.”
“We’ve conducted five weeks of progressive
training, building from individual up to fire team,
section, platoon right up to Company level. We’ve
gone back to the basics with test phases throughout
the exercise.”
“It’s not small feat deploying a third of the
Battalion here for this exercise and the support
we’ve received from the NZ Army and the RNZAF has
been nothing short of fantastic. It’s allowed us to
test everything militarily that we came here to test,
we’re very grateful.”
On their final day in Tekapo B-Coy 1RGR hosted
a VIP day to thank NZDF, Government and local
personnel who had supported their exercise. (See
imagery)
armyPEOPLE11
Smart ideas wanted
issue 452 | May 2014
Got a good idea and believe it could change the way the New Zealand Defence Force does business?
LCPL Bryce Collins
The Commander’s Innovation Challenge is the ideal place
to put your ideas to the test and see if you can make a
change for the good.
The Commander’s Innovation Challenge at 1 NZ Bde was
implemented last year by the then Commander Colonel
Chris Parsons as part of Command Week.
COL Parsons knew innovation was alive and well
throughout the Brigade but wanted a vehicle to showcase
and reward ideas that could make a difference to
processes, the operational environment or structure.
It was a resounding success with 14 entries and this year
the competition is going ahead again under the watchful
eye of new 1 NZ Brigade Commander Colonel Nick Gillard,
and S8 Manager of Projects Vicky Dwyer. It is expected the
competition will be just as original and exacting.
Last year’s top three winners came from LT Matt Blake,
LCPL Donnald Pittman and LCPL Bryce Collins with prizes
of pounamu, a Commander’s Commendation Certificate,
two days EQL and points towards the Command Trophy
up for grabs.
DEFENCE
DRIVER
TRAINING
SCHOOL (NZ)
It has never been easier
to get driver qualified
now with one location
being the point of contact
for Army, Navy and Air
Force personnel.
LCPL Donnald Pittman
All the proposed innovations are also being investigated
by Army Innovation with many being progressed through
the system.
Last years top three entries came from
• LT Matt Blake: Extending battery life and line of sight
distance of dismounted TMCS Fleet - Communications
within a Company or Task Unit will be improved by
achieving greater range power sustainability and
lighter and smaller radios. RTX locations can be
smaller and tactical and recon patrols can operate
from extended distances with smaller radios,
• LCPL Donnald Pittman: 40v Inverter system for the
Pinzgauer - Providing 2 x 240v outlets that run off
the current 24v external power unit on the Pinzgauer
to enable charging of laptops and specialised
equipment. Benefits would be the reduction of fuel
costs for generators, greater mobility for Command
and Signals as they would be able to operate for
longer periods away from electrical sources.
The Defence Driver Training School (NZ) (DDTS (NZ)) was
officially opened by VCDF at Linton Military Camp in Jul
2013. Since then the school has developed a model for
delivering BLOC vehicle operator training for common B
vehicles for the New Zealand Defence Force.
This concept is designed to remove BLOC common vehicle
operator training (familiarisation courses) from Units, to
allow them to focus on DLOC training.
DDTS (NZ) is responsible for the delivery of the following
training:
• Vehicle familiarisation courses (motorcycle, Lt 4WD
(includes NMV and Pinzgauer)
• Unimog, and MB2228/41
• All Arms Driving Instructor and Testing Officer courses
• The delivery of vehicle licence training and testing,
including endorsements such as dangerous goods.
An outsource contract for the delivery of vehicle licence
training and testing was recently signed between NZDF
and PassRite Driving Academy. This contract covers the
delivery of all NZDF practical driver licence training and
testing and PassRite is now the only NZDF approved
provider for such training.
All requirements of RNZN, NZ Army, and RNZAF for
driver licence training and testing are to be submitted
through DDTS (NZ) by contacting the DDTS (NZ) Licence
Administrator, on 06 369 7432 or @DDTS.Licence Admin,
outlining your requirements and location and timings, etc.
Effectively this contract provides for a door to door
• LCPL Bryce Collins: Video for FAM courses of common
faults/repairs - Development of a video explaining the
current procedure, common faults that occur with the
vehicle, what the driver is expected to repair and how
to correctly do the repairs.
Joint winner LCPL Donnald Pittman said entering the
competition took him out of his comfort zone but it was very
satisfying. LCPL Bryce Collins was the other joint winner.
“It’s not something you do everyday but I’m glad I did it.
I’d recommend people have a go at it,” said LCPL Pittman.
People who have a conceptual idea and want to progress
it further for the competition need to contact Ms Dwyer
before May 30.
Judges this year will be made up of representatives from
Capability Branch, DLEM, DLE and a subject matter expert.
The competition closes on 13 Jun 2014 and the winning
submission will be announced on Friday 4 Jul as part of 1 NZ
Brigade Command Week.
service, for example a unit makes a booking for
Class One restricted training through DDTS (NZ),
the booking will be confirmed and a PassRite driving
instructor will uplift the individual for training and
return them on completion of the training session.
It couldn’t be easier.
DDTS (NZ) funds the costs of this training on behalf
of NZDF, and therefore the requirements and eligibility
of NZDF personnel to undertake this training at public
expense remains under the governance of DFO 36, Vol
2, but if there is any doubt, please contact DDTS (NZ)
to seek clarification.
DDTS (NZ) has a variety of B vehicle familiarisation
courses plotted on the Army Synchronisation Matrix
and on the New Zealand Defence College website.
Attendance or eligibility is covered by DFO 36, Vol 2
and nomination procedures are the same as for any
other NZDF course.
Specialist vehicles, such as HET, semi-trailers, MHE,
and engineer plant, remain under the control of their
centre of excellence.
12armyTRAINING
issue 452 | May 2014
ENHANCED
INFANTRY COMPANY
IEC (A COY) 2/1 RNZIR conduct the final phase of their helicopter training. A 3 Sqn
Iroquois came down from Ohakea for two days in which 2 Platoon conducted fast
roping and the Recon element conducted rappelling. ACOY fast roped into the
UTF (Urban Terrain Facility) where they continued to assault the buildings. Recon
rappelled into two different tree line locations to conduct their tasks.
armyTRAINING13
issue 452 | May 2014
Exercise SOUTHERN TRIUMPH is being conducted
by 2/1 RNZIR throughout May in the West Coast.
The overall training objective is to certify A-Coy as
EIC, and to exercise and evaluate rifle platoon in
conventional close country skills.
These images from the first week of the exercise
show two BHE’s: A-Coy conducting a cordon and
search of a target house and a mock protest with the
civilian elements within the Exercise. The civilian
role players are from Hokitika including the local
highschool and other Government agencies such as
NZ Police.
14armyPEOPLE
issue 452 | May 2014
THE KIPPENBERGER
SCHOLARSHIP, WHAT
YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Kippenberger Scholarship was instituted in late 2012
as a way for officers and non-commissioned officers to
undertake a year’s paid study.
The scholarship is designed as a recruitment and retention
incentive which rewards proven commitment to service
and academic endeavour with support to educational
opportunities for NZ Army personnel. The scheme is divided
into two levels of scholarship, with level one being extra
mural study and level two being paid full or part time study.
It is aligned to over-arching NZDF education policy and the
funding of any course fees is through the Defence Education
Board (DEB).
Approval for engagement with level one of the scheme rests
with the Military Secretary (MS) once an application has been
supported by the command chain / key stakeholders, and
has had course fee funding approved through the DEB.
The number of personnel engaged within the scheme is
restricted, with the number approved for engagement being
reviewed against the total number of applications on an
annual basis during budgetary forecasting for the upcoming
financial year, however applicants are generally restricted to
10 per year. To be eligible for the Kippenberger Scholarship
the following criteria need to be met;
• Personnel currently hold the minimum noncommissioned rank of substantive Sergeant, or minimum
commissioned rank of substantive Lieutenant.
• Personnel currently hold the maximum noncommissioned rank of Warrant Officer Class One, or a
maximum commissioned rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
• Personnel consistently display a high level of
competency in their current role and have a history of
good performance and dedication to service.
• Personnel possess good future potential for progression
within the NZ Army.
• Personnel display a proven record of academic
performance through previous academic study.
• Personnel have completed the pre-requisite
requirements for the intended course of study.
• The intended tertiary study is of benefit to both the
individual and the NZ Army.
• The tertiary institution providing the intended course of
study is deemed appropriate by the KSB and the DEB.
• Personnel are able to be released by the command chain
to complete any requirements of the course of study.
Captain Dan Thompson of Combat School undertook the
Kippenberger Scholarship in 2013. He shares his experiences
of the scholarship:
In 2012, whilst I was deployed as the Battle Captain on
Task Unit CRIB 20, the Military Secretary Branch approved
my participation in the new Kippenberger Scheme. In late
2011, I discovered the scheme had changed from a three
to four year university experience implemented for school
leavers prior to their attendance and commissioning from
ACS to a recognition of service and potential for serving
officers and SNCOs that had completed a large quantity of
military service and university work prior to selection for the
scheme. At the time of my approval, I had completed six years
in 2/1 RNZIR as an infantry officer having held Rifle Platoon
Command, Reconnaissance Platoon Command and Company
2IC appointments. I had also completed two operations in
East Timor and Afghanistan and all my coursing requirements
for Captain. I was an acting Captain on TU CRIB 20 and on
the verge on being eligible for posting out of 2/1 RNZIR; so
the approval for participation in the scheme was timely and
welcome. In my six years since my commission, I had been
away from Burnham, for exercises; operations; overseas
courses and promotion courses, for over nearly three years so
the opportunity to work hard but remain in a single location
with my better half was rewarding.
I had already completed a decent portion of my
undergraduate degree and, through liaison with the
University of Canterbury (UC), was able to successfully
transfer credit from Massey University. Once at UC I dug in
deep and got stuck into it. In the course of my participation
in the scheme, over one academic year, I completed 210
points, which is roughly 14 papers; easily above the normal
academic workload. I also maintained an A+ average
throughout and became involved within formal social circles
within UC based on my profession as an Army Officer and
my performance in the classroom. My degree outcomes, in
Political Science, were pleasing and certainly; through the
course of discussions and interaction with the academic
staff; exposed me to wider learning and an enhanced
conceptual understanding of political and geo-strategic
issues that I am able to transfer into the workplace. My
success in the scheme, I believe, has set a strong foundation
for post-graduate learning in the future.
My participation in the course was rewarding and
interesting. Having completed seven years of military
experience, as a cadet and as a combat officer, provided
me a significant advantage in my approach to my studies
and the social aspects of university life. I was provided this
opportunity on full pay as a substantive Captain whilst still
technically posted to 2/1 RNZIR and participating in normal
military activities with the unit. The scheme provided me a
chance to realign my personal responsibilities and prepare
for future opportunities while concurrently having some
respite from the demands of military life and command in the
battalion. It is fair to mention that by the end of the scheme,
I was more than ready to return to full time Army duties while
certainly valuing what my employment at UC had provided
me both personally and professionally. My exposure to
academic staff, guest speakers, individuals within formal
social situations and students reinforced the value of being
an Army Officer, or a military officer, within the NZDF. It is
clear to me that our professional role in society, despite being
frequently misinterpreted, is highly valued among educated
New Zealanders.
THE KIPPENBERGER
SCHOLARSHIP, A
STUDENT’S EXPERIENCE
Want
to quit smoking
and win cash?
WERO
may be the
answer!
WERO is a three month group
stop smoking contest.
The competition was developed by the Centre
for Tobacco Control Research at the University of
Auckland, and funded by the Ministry of Health and
the Health Research Council of New Zealand.
Whanau End smoking Regional whanau Ora
challenge involves teams of 10 regular smokers
who compete to have the most quitters after three
months and win $5000 cash for their community
group or marae. WERO (which means CHALLENGE,
in Maori) provides a supportive and encouraging
environment for people to quit together. Rather than
an isolated individual struggle, it makes quitting fun.
Competitions can have an extra edge between rival
teams or units and builds great team spirit. Whole
teams have stopped smoking as a result of WERO.
In 2013 a team of ten soldiers from Linton Camp
took part in the competition. While they didn’t
win, there were a few spot prizes and some team
members successfully quit smoking. On 1 March this
year, a motivated group of soldiers began their three
month challenge. With weekly support meetings and
various products to help with withdrawals, this team
has remained on track. It is now two months into the
competition with eight out of ten smokefree.
Last month, some participants from both WERO
teams offered to be filmed for a promotional YouTube
video clip, directed by Tsehai Tiffin from TVNZ. The
film crew came into Linton camp, interviewed some
of the soldiers taking part and filmed them doing
some PT. It was very entertaining – especially when
the interviewer had a go at Close Quarter Battle.
Keep an eye out for this – there should be a link from
the WERO website soon.
On 1 June 2014 a new challenge starts. If you’re
looking for that boost to kick start your smokefree
life, make contact with the MTC. There will be a team
for you to join – either civilian or Army. Anyone can
participate. You’ll be ‘breath tested’ with a gadget
that tests carbon monoxide levels in your breath. You
can choose how you’d like to go about it – patches,
gum, inhalator, spray, Champix or Zyban. Whatever
works for you as long as it is suitable. At the end
of each month or the end of the contest, you’ll be
tested again. So simple!
The national competition is open to teams from
anywhere in NZ. WERO uses social media and mobile
technologies such as a website, iPad and iPhone app
to display how all the teams are doing, and the WERO
Facebook keeps team members and supporters
updated. Team members can stay in touch with each
other online, ask questions about their withdrawal
symptoms and receive expert advice to help them.
Check out our team
NGATI TUMATAUENGA on the website
www.wero.me
It’s part of the Central March 2014 competition.
Watch its progress and give some encouragement.
Better still, do it yourself next month and
change your life!
armyPEOPLE15
issue 452 | May 2014
MAU RĀKAU WĀNANGA
11 AUG – 20 AUG 14
Te Mauri ō Tū Te Kawa ō Tangaroa
Course Information
Cse short title: A4015 14/02 Wai
Noms Close: 07 Jul 14
When: 111000 Aug to 201530 Aug 14
Where: R
ongomaraeroa o ngā Hau e Whā
Marae, Waiouru Military Camp.
The aim of the wānanga is to instil and teach
the Taiaha art style of Te Kore enabling
the mana of Ngāti Tūmatauenga , Te Taaua
Moana, Te Taaua a Rangi and Te Ope
Kaatua to be maintained during ceremonial
occasions. Facilitated by Mr Rehua Kereama
and Mr Heemi Te Peeti, both are leading
tutors in the field of Māori Weaponry within
New Zealand.
Nomination forms are to be forwarded
through your normal command chain for
consent, and then forwarded to NZDF HR
Service Centre for action onto ATLAS. All
participants are to be male members of the
NZDF (including civilian employees).
Enquiries contact
Marae Staff Officer:
Capt Kevin Herewini
ph: 0273302758
Marae Educator:
Mr Steve Bethell
ph: 0276686419
Maori Cultural site:
http://communities/mcg/default.aspx
PhOTO: Māori Cultural Group — PACC PAMS 2013
16armyTRAINING
issue 452 | May 2014
Pte Butcher 2CSSB guides vehicle in to location.
Exercise Henry Tucker 2014
Logistics is the process of planning, implementing and
controlling the effective and efficient flow of goods from
point of origin to point of consumption, and 30 soldiers
from all units across the Army recently took part in the Army
logistics exercise Henry Tucker 14, run by Supply Wing Trade
Training school.
Named after Captain William Henry Terry Tucker, the
first Colonial storekeeper in New Zealand, Exercise Henry
Tucker 14 was a combined exercise and field phase of the
Supply Technician RNZALR, Intermediate and Senior Supply
courses. The exercise was a culmination of the two courses
testing students in Combat Service Support (CSS) at section
commander and section member level which all must
complete in order to pass each course respectively. Attached
to the exercise were section commanders who previously
were unable to conduct this phase in past years.
The exercise started in Trentham with a preliminary phase
conducting Command Post (CP) exercises and a Tactical
Exercise Without Troops (TEWT), as well as a planning
phase for the section commanders, an Introduction to CSS
Operations and lines of support for the Intermediate course.
Run in a pre-deployment training style regime, the
training phase out of Makomako had students conducting
mobilisation in a bull ring fashion which allowed maximum
gain with minimal manpower and resources used. The
completion of the training phase was a time for section
commanders to conduct battle preparation of their
section which included equipment checks, movement
documentation, and confirmation of any section SOPs prior to
deployment orders.
Section arrives to the training area.
Water tankers on the move.
Lcpl Sam Kauwhata, Lcpl Tisha Lanigan, Pte Cam Melrose and Jas Perigo
armyTRAINING17
issue 452 | May 2014
Cpl Amanda Mihaere radios for help as Pte Jasmine Perigo keeps watch.
Cpl Sarah Buchanan conducts area clearance with
section.
RNZALR Senior Course Top Student; Lcpl Williams,
2CSSB, Keeping watch at the vehicle check point.
The ‘Tac’
Phase
Cpl Buchanan 1 NZ Sigs Regt orders section prior to
task.
Lcpl Sean Dowd provides presence.
Sgt Aggie Agnew delivers task orders.
Lcpl S Dowd giving lesson during training phase.
Pte Epati QAMR filling out driver variation card during
daily admin.
The Tac phase was conducted in the Rangitikei,
(Marton, Turakina, South Makirikiri school)
Manawatu (Tangimoana, Ashurst, Longburn) and
Wairarapa areas, (Pahiatua, Makomako).
Section commanders were 24 hours in the hot
seat, and given formative and summative tasks
with minimum details on a Task sheet. They could
be a distribution point (DP) Bulk refuel, water
distribution or shower task. Given a customer call
sign, list of demands and an RV or Grid Ref, the
section commanders had to formulate a schedule of
preliminary tasks, a tactical road move, clearance
of route and task sight and any vulnerable points,
set up an installation, security plan, marry up and
conduct a task, then get his or her section back to
the platoon location to conduct refurbishment and
replenishment prior to the next day’s activities.
The exercise finished with one student being
returned to unit due to medical reasons and the
remainder all qualified in that phase of their course.
The hard work of the 2CSSB Q Store meant the
refurbishment phase was conducted in a timely
manner which enabled Directing staff and coordinators to begin compiling test results, evidence
and follow on actions to improve future activities.
Thanks to 21 Supply Company, in particular Ms
Agnew and Forrest for providing late notice supply
support in the form of releasing purchase orders and
stores, and the soldiers of 21 Sup Coy for providing
the equipment and manpower to enable us to reach
the start point of our exercise.
A1053 Supply Technician Senior course Top Student
for this year was LCPL Frederick ‘Freddy’ Williams
from 2CSSB. He was also last years Supply Tech of
the year award winner, and has previously deployed
to Antarctica and Afghanistan.
18armyPEOPLE
issue 452 | May 2014
ANZAC DAY 2014
LTCOL Mike Duncan addresses the crowd.
17 yr old Jack Potaka, winner of the 2014 ANZ RSA Cyril Bassett speech competition.
The catafalque guard march off
The New Zealand service at Chunuk Bair.
Gallipoli visit an emotional
experience for all
A battlefield tour of the major sites and cemeteries on
the Gallipoli Penisula set the scene for the Defence
Force contingent in its preparation for the Anzac Day
commemorations, said Contingent Commander Lieutenant
Colonel Mike Duncan.
The contingent was made up of three components drawn
from the three Services - a combined band, a Mâori Cultural
Group and the catafalque guard.
Representing the NZ Army were LTCOL Mike Duncan, LTCOL
Rose King as the Master of Ceremonies, LTCOL David Voss,
CHCP1 Lance Lukin, WO1 Joe Taipiri, CPL Chris Hey (the 2013
Top Reservist), Trooper Morgan Formston, PTE’s Dwayne
Neon and Hore Makoare, and Sylvia Pene with the Maori
Culture Group.
Ian McGibbon, a New Zealand historian, conducted the
contingent tour and provided in-depth commentary on how the
New Zealand and Australian Forces fought.
From standing in the trenches through to walking from North
Beach to Chunuk Bair, the group gained some insight into the
conditions the Anzacs went through.
LTCOL Duncan said the level of emotion the group felt showed
New Zealand’s connection to Gallipoli remained significant.
“Ian brought the battlefield to life and you could visualise our
men fighting and going over the wall to their death,” he said.
“That tour set the emotional context for us all and therefore
the ceremonies were performed from the heart and you could
see how committed the team was.”
An observation LTCOL King made was that the birds were
singing at the cemeteries the Kiwis visited.
“It felt as though there was peace here and
that those who had fallen know they are
remembered and have not been forgotten.”
On the night before and hours leading up to the Dawn Service
the band and Mâori Culture group entertained the attendees
gathered at the Anzac Commemorative Site with musical items.
As dawn broke the karanga could be heard and minutes later
LTCOL King, as Master of Ceremonies, welcomed everyone to
the Dawn Service.
Later in the morning the contingent moved to Chunuk
Bair for the New Zealand Service. During this service the
Governor General His Excellency Lieutenant General the Right
Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae moved the crowd to tears with
an impromptu speech on how his grandfather fought and died
at Chunuk Bair.
It was a fitting end to an emotional day for all.
LTCOL Duncan said he was impressed at the professionalism
of the contingent.
“Everyone was a professional and knew what they needed to
do. I was really proud of how they had made a connection with
those who had fought at Gallipoli and you could see it in the
way the Services were conducted,” he said.
“From my perspective this is the best contingent I have ever
been associated with. Everyone knew what there job was and
they all did it to the best of their ability.
“I am sure that all of us who came here in 2014 have changed
and that Gallipoli will have a special place in our thoughts
every Anzac Day.”
armyPEOPLE19
issue 452 | May 2014
ANZAC DAY 2014
Chief of Army MAJGEN Dave Gawn lays a wreath at the memorial.
Parade at Turkish Memorial.
Kiwi crowd at Chunuk Bair.
Parade at Turkish Memorial.
HE Rt Hon LTGEN Sir Jerry Mateparae lays a wreath at the memorial.
20armyPEOPLE
issue 452 | May 2014
ANZAC DAY 2014
Lieutenant Colonel Rose King
A first in Gallipoli - Master
of Ceremonies Lieutenant
Colonel Rose King
Lieutenant Colonel Rose King was the Master of Ceremonies
at this year’s Gallipoli Anzac Service.
It is the first time a women has performed this role and the
first time a married couple have both had the honour of being
the Master of Ceremonies; her husband, Lieutenant Colonel
Glen King was MC in 2010.
“It was a great honour to represent my country, the New
Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and my family during what I
believe is the most important military commemorative event
for New Zealand,” she said.
“Anzac Day is important and is what we have built our
foundations on.
“As I walked to the stage I focused my efforts on wanting to
honour the memory of every solider who had fought and fallen
at Gallipoli. It allowed me to keep my emotions in check.”
The military is in LTCOL King’s blood.
Her grandfather served in WW1 and was wounded at the
Battle of Messines in 1917.
Her great uncle PTE James Daniel Dillon who served with the
Otago Infantry Battalion died at Gallipoli on 6 August 1915.
His name is etched on the Chunuk Bair Memorial.
“In 2000 I was serving with the UN in Croatia and a number
of us came to Gallipoli to watch the Anzac commemorative
services. At Chunuk Bair. I saw the name ‘Private James
Dillon’ and I wondered if he could be a relative,” she said.
“When I got back to New Zealand I started researching
who James Dillon was. I found out he was my Great Uncle.
Knowing that, returning here has changed my experience in
Gallipoli. It has been personal, emotional and I have shed a
few tears.”
Just before Anzac Day the NZDF visited many of the
cemeteries and sites where NZ soldiers had died. To get a
small appreciation of the terrain the Anzacs had to fight
through the team walked from Outpost 2 close to where they
landed on the beaches to the top of Chunuk Bair.
“It wasn’t an easy climb and was up and down and took us
about an hour and a half. What the wall did though was make
real for me the sheer loss and waste of life by everyone here Kiwis, Aussies and Turks, “she said
“This time coming back as a Mum I could only think of the
hurt and pain the families had to live with for those who did
not return home and it made me incredibly sad.”
LTCOL King wore both her own medals and her Great Uncle
Private James Dillon’s replica medals while she performed
her duties at the Dawn Service,
“Having the privilege to be here at Gallipoli and be involved
in the ceremony is something I will always remember.”
armyPEOPLE21
issue 452 | May 2014
ANZAC DAY 2014
ANZAC Day France 2014
By Brian Lockstone
Imperceptibly the darkness ebbed. Dawn crept over a waking
town and its cemetery. Warming the early spring chill, a
haunting karanga summoned those present and the Anzac
service began.
Le Quesnoy, in north-east France, where the New Zealand
Division fought its last major action of the First World War
in November 1918. For the first time, it is believed, French
people witnessed a New Zealand Anzac service. For those
present - French and New Zealanders - it was powerfully
moving and emotional moment. A linkage of military history
based on a strong cultural foundation.
France is steeped in centuries of military history, battles
lost and won. But its commemorations are based on purely
military tradition, parades and speeches. This year they
observed a specifically New Zealand blend of solemn
ceremony and tradition which created a lasting impression.
New Zealand’s ambassador to France, Rosemary Banks,
praised the New Zealand Defence Force. She said it
transformed the day and brought great credit to New Zealand
and the three services which make up the NZDF.
The NZDF provided a catafalque party and a Maori cultural
group. While the catafalque guard impressed with its dress,
bearing and precision drill (quickly accommodating to the
7.62mm SLR) despite the bad weather, it was the cultural
group led by Warrant Officer Seaman Combat Specialist Jack
Rudolph, RNZN, that galvanised the largely French gathering.
There was utter silence, broken only by a bird call, that
marked the poignancy and ceremony. The group’s inspiring
and commanding presence coupled with the careful circuit
around the cenotaph with haunting music and deliberate
gestures inspired many. More than one French veteran had
tears in his eyes.
Traditionally, Anzac Day in France is remembered by
services on the closest Sunday, since they are joint
commemorations with the local communities of Le Quesnoy
and the even smaller village of Longueval, where the New
Zealand Division joined the Battle of the Somme on 15
September 1916, and site of the main New Zealand War
Memorial in France.
The day was devised to assist in planning centenary
commemorations in France over the next four years and NZDF
planning was led by LTCOL Mike Beale, Military Adviser, New
Zealand Defence Force Staff, London and NZ Defence Attaché
to Belgium.
The dawn service commenced with the lament E Muri Ahiahi
followed by addresses by Ambassador Banks and Brigadier
Antony Hayward, NZ Defence Attaché to France (and also the
United Kingdom). After the waiata Te Wairua O Te Hokowhitu
a Tû, Georgia Woodhouse from Marlborough Girls’ College,
spoke briefly and wreaths were laid.
Warrant Officer Rudolph recited the Ode of Remembrance
in Maori, then LTCOL Beale followed in English, before a
representative of the Association des Anciens Combattants
et Medalilles Militaires recited it in French.
After breakfast hosted by the New Zealand ambassador, the
New Zealand party drove to the tiny village of Romieres. There
is the Vertigneul churchyard where Sergeant H J Nicholas
VC Canterbury Regiment, is buried. He was killed on the
night of 23/24 October 1918, just before the assault on Le
Quesnoy. Only recently had he been invested with his Victoria
Cross (won at Polderhoek in Belgium) by King George V at
Buckingham Palace. He lies with 18 other New Zealanders
and a British soldier.
His great niece, Judith Reid, spoke movingly on behalf of
the family and wreathes were laid including one from the
village Maire (mayor) Sylviane Marouzé. Small crosses were
placed on the other headstones to remember all who had
given their lives.
The main morning ceremony, at 1100, commenced with
a wreath laying at the memorial to a mayor of Le Quesnoy
who played a significant role is assisting Jewish people to
avoid deportation to concentration camps during the Second
World War. Led by the town band, the townspeople and New
Zealanders paraded around the town’s 17th century ramparts
to the place where the New Zealand Rifle Brigade scaled the
walls on 4 November 1918 to bring about the liberation of the
town from occupation.
At the memorial wreathes were laid again, including those
from New Zealand, the NZDF, the mayor of le Quesnoy
Marie-Sophie Lesne, Australia and the Commonwealth War
Graves Commission.
The final ceremony was held at the New Zealand Memorial
at Longueval. The memorial is sited above what was known
as “Switch Trench” and the objective of the New Zealanders
on 15 September 1916. On that day Sergeant D F Brown, 2nd
Battalion Otago Regiment, won a Victoria Cross. He was
killed two weeks later.
The NZDF Catafalque Party consisted of Sergeant Shane
Hutson, Corporal John Moses, Able Machinery Technician
(Propulsion) Karl Furey (RNZN), Leading Aircraftsman Glenn
Gommans (RNZAF) and Sapper Adman Manins.
The Cultural Group consisted of Warrant Officer Rudolph,
Petty Officer Combat Systems Specialist Andre Arahina,
(both RNZN), Staff Sergeant Te Whaea Erana Edwards and Ms
Elizabeth Portas.
Keeping a careful watch on the party was Warrant Officer
Class One Pat Cooney and Second Lieutenant Penny Roy.
22armyPEOPLE
issue 452 | May 2014
Changes to the Grade 3 Course
The Staff and Tactics Courses run by Tactical School are being reviewed.
The Grade 3 Staff and Tactics, attended by all Corps
Lieutenants, and the Grade 2, attended by all Corps Captains,
are being substantially overhauled in the first major changes
for over ten years. These courses prepare officers for duty as
Staff Officers in Headquarters, and for command positions,
by developing their problem solving, tactical understanding,
and application of military command processes.
The review was the result of external validations, comments
from students, and an internal review of instructors which
all identified that elements of the current courses were out
of date. As a result, the review started by developing a job
description for a staff officer to determine what exactly a
current military staff officer needs to be able to do. Shortfalls
in knowledge and skills were identified, and these are now
being brought into the two courses.
The first changes to be implemented will affect the Grade
3, with the recent Army Learning Steering Group (ALSG)
giving the green light for a pilot course to be conducted.
The changes have affected both content and delivery of the
course, and will mean a different experience for regular and
reserve Lieutenants.
In terms of content, the new Grade 3 covers Stability
Operations, including counter-insurgency (COIN) against
irregular forces in more detail. It also addresses Counter
Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED), Chemical Biological
Radiological Nuclear (CBRN), Joint Interagency Multinational
(JIM) operations, risk management, targeting, incident
management, and a range of other areas relevant to the
modern military officer. Previous content, which focused on
Combat Operations against conventional enemy forces, is
still relevant and remains in the course. It is also still focused
on operations at battlegroup (battalion) level and below in
the land environment.
The decision was made early on to adopt a distance
education component as the most effective and efficient
method of delivering much of the basic content. It allows
students to work quickly through areas they are familiar
with, and concentrate on new areas of learning, which can be
quite different for each student dependant on their individual
experience and knowledge. Distance education also allows
students to develop and adopt learning methods that suit
them as individual learners.
The Grade 3 Distance Education (G3DE) module will cover
a broad range of doctrinal theory and concepts. It has been
kept at the unclassified level to enable deployed personnel,
people posted overseas, and reservists, who don’t have
ready access to DIXS, to access the learning. The (open
book) online assessments can then be completed when
personnel get access to DIXS, as they use the NZDF Learning
Management System (LMS). The G3DE is expected to take
around 80 to 100 hours to complete, and will be available for
personnel to complete at any time.
After completing all the assessments for the G3DE, students
will attend the Grade 3 Residential module (G3Res). This
face-to-face course focuses on the application of knowledge
learned in the G3DE in a series of Staff Planning Exercises
(SPX), Tactical Exercises Without Troops (TEWT) and Battle
Management Exercises (BMX). This will develop and assess
students thinking skills, individual and collaborative problem
solving, tactical understanding, and decision making during
the 6 weeks (31 working days) G3Res – shorter than the
previous Grade 3 course .
Reservists are now fully integrated into the course with
regulars. Both groups will complete the G3DE. Reservists then
must complete the first 13 working days of the G3Res, but
have the option to complete the entire G3Res if they choose.
This means that reserve officers now have more flexibility
about when they attend the G3Res, as there are generally
multiple coursers conducted in a year. The previous Grade 3
(Extramural) will no longer be run. The 13 day option results
in a Level 1 qualification in some Learning Outcomes, while
the entire course provides an overall Level 2 qualification.
Students who are due to complete the Grade 3 should have
already received an email outlining what the changes mean
to them. Further information can be found in the ‘Changes to
the Grade 3’ Information brief on the Tactical School intranet
site, or (for those looking to start now) in the ‘G3DE Quick
Start Guide’ on the intranet site. The first G3Res will start 22
September 2014, so personnel due to attend that should be
starting the G3DE immediately.
People with questions about the new Grade 3 can
email [email protected].
LATEST ARMY LEAVE
CENTRES NEWS
It has been another busy start to the year for the Army
Leave Centres. The annual maintenance inspections of all
31 units at our 10 Leave Centre locations were completed
by the Army Leave Centre’s Manager late March 2014, and
there is now an extensive “to do” list that will be actioned
throughout the rest of the year as time, booking schedules,
and funding permits. Some of the key maintenance tasks
identified include:
• replacing queen beds at Rotorua, Napier, and Hanmer
Springs
• replacing bedroom furniture at Wanaka
• total refurbishment of laundry at Acacia Bay
• painting the garage and boat shed at Acacia Bay
• extensive pruning of existing trees and shrubs by
arborist at Acacia Bay
• plastering and interior painting to remedy paint damage
and modernise units at several locations
• fitting of cornice trim on interior walls of units at some
locations to minimise and prevent further plaster
damage to wall edges
• install wall cladding in dining and stairwell areas of Mt
Maunganui units to prevent further damage
• replacing some of the light fittings in Units 1 and 6 at
Acacia Bay
• replacing outdoor tables and clotheslines at Hanmer
Springs
• gardens at locations to have new native plantings and
further landscaping where deemed necessary to create
tidy, low maintenance gardens
• curtains to be replaced at some locations
• front fence at Napier to be replaced
• exterior walls and roof of Akaroa to be completely
repainted
• Akaroa decks to be rebuilt.
Issues at Mt Maunganui and Akaroa Leave Centres
Several building faults have been identified as ongoing
issues at Mt Maunganui and these are to be rectified by the
contractor under the Master Builder Warranty. A fault has
been detected with the three seater couches at this location
and these are being assessed by the manufacturer with a
view to replacement under warranty. The carpet in Unit 4 is
also being replaced under warranty and minor repairs will be
undertaken in the other three units at the same time. We have
been plagued with ongoing issues at the Mt Maunganui Leave
Centre since the rebuild of 2012.
Akaroa will require some major work over the next six to 12
months. Burnham engineers did some remedial work at the
Akaroa Leave Centre late 2013 and identified structural issues
with the decks. Subsequently a Structural Engineer inspected
the decks (March 2014) and provided a comprehensive
report that included a recommendation for props to be
erected as supports under the three decks to ensure they
remain safe and structurally sound until such time as they
can be rebuilt. The wonderful Burnham engineers came to
the rescue, swinging into action and having the props in
place and certified early April so that the units could remain
open for business. LCPL Leith Cummins and Mr Rob Ansell
deserve special recognition for their outstanding support,
workmanship, and quick response to this serious issue.
We are now in the process of obtaining a quote from a local
builder for rebuilding the decks.
New Tariffs
New tariffs were introduced on 1 April for all Army Leave
Centres. The Wellington Apartments one-off levy also
increased by $2 to $47 from 1 May 2014. Despite the minimal
increases across all categories, the Army Leave Centres
are still great value and provide quality accommodation at
popular holiday destinations around NZ.
The Army Leave Centre’s General Terms & Conditions
of Tenancy and the Ballot Period And Rules have been
updated WEF 1 April. Both documents can be viewed in the
Announcements on The Command Post and Army Central
Welfare Home Pages on the Defence Intranet.
Ballots
Due to difficulties filling week one of the Xmas Ballot for the
last two years, we are trialling the Xmas Ballot period starting
the day after Christmas Day this year, and it will still run for
four weeks encompassing the school holiday period.
A high cancellation rate from ballot entrants after they have
won a ballot continues to happen. Please do not enter a ballot
unless you are committed to staying at the leave centre if you
win. If your circumstances change or you simply change your
mind about a ballot entry, you can cancel it before the ballot
is drawn.
PTSU 50th
Anniversary
March 2015
RNZAF Base Auckland
Celebrating 50 years of
Parachute Training and
Support Unit.
Expressions of interest are invited from personnel
that have been posted to, worked with or have
conducted training at PTSU.
The days events will include air and ground
displays in addition to a social event.
Please email
[email protected] to register your interest.
Please include a brief description of your
involvement / connection with PTSU.
armyPEOPLE23
issue 452 | May 2014
Operation:
THE COOLEST
MISSION ON EARTH
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED
IN EXPERIENCING THE
ICE NEXT SUMMER,
TALK TO YOUR CAREER
MANAGER NOW!
APPLY NOW! NOMINATIONS CLOSE 9 JUNE
Operation ANTARCTICA is the NZDF’s ongoing commitment to provide annual air transport and logistic support
to the New Zealand Antarctic Programme (NZAP) and the United States Antarctic Programme (USAP).
We have roles on the ice for:
• Plant Operators
• Drivers
• Communications Operators
• Riggers
• Terminal Operators
• Field Engineers
• Plumbers
• Carpenters
• Electricians
• Air Drop Rigging Assistants
• General Assistants (Fuel)
And at Harewood Terminal (Christchurch) for:
• Air Cargo Handlers
• Air Cargo Handler Team Leader
• Documents Clerk
• Deputy NCO i/c ANT PAX terminal
24armyPEOPLE
issue 452 | May 2014
NZ ARMY BAND Golden Jubilee
Easter 2014 was a very busy one for all
NZ Army Band (NZAB) personnel as it
was the date set for the band’s Golden
Jubilee Celebration. The weekend saw
100 past members and their partners
join with current members of the NZAB
over a few days of shared fellowship
and camaraderie.
The Jubilee commenced on Friday April the 18th with a
function at the Hornby Workingmens Club for an official
opening. The night proved to be a great success as many old
acquaintances were rekindled and new friendships made.
There was also a poignant moment of remembrance for those
members of the unit who have passed away with a reading of
the Ode, Last Post and Rouse.
Easter Saturday started at Burnham Military Camp with a
photo session followed by lunch at B Blocks 800 Man Mess,
a real stroll down memory lane for the past members. After
lunch, current NZAB pers headed to the Air Force Museum of
New Zealand to prepare for the feature event of the weekend,
a Gala concert followed by a black tie dinner.
Both events were a huge success with a sell out crowd of
over 1100 people enjoying the concert. The band played
superbly under the direction of Director of Music Captain
Graham Hickman and Bandmaster Staff Sergeant Phil
Johnston. Land Component Commander Brigadier Kelly was
in attendance at the concert and provided the highlight of our
weekend presenting a Chief of Army Commendation to the
unit for their outstanding work at the 2013 Royal Edinburgh
Military Tattoo. Although this award was presented to the
current unit effective November 2013, all past members felt
great pride as such an award could not have been possible
without their loyal service that laid the foundation for those
of us who have followed.
Easter Sunday started with a street march and small
marching display from the current NZAB finishing outside
the ruins of the Christchurch Cathedral. The band was then
joined by the past members for a short public service before
marching on mass through the streets of Christchurch to
attend a service of celebration and thanks at the transitional
Christchurch (Cardboard) Cathedral.
Following the service all Jubilee attendees congregated
back at the Hornby Workingmens Club for the “Big Blow”.
This was a fun event that gave the opportunity for the old
bands and bandsmen to get together and enjoy playing some
music together. Lots of laughs were had and of course more
stories were told of how things used to work in the Army!
The last event of the weekend was back at Burnham on
Monday the 21st of April where there was a golf tournament
and BBQ.
Overall the weekend was a huge success and as a member
of the current unit I would like to acknowledge the huge effort
put in by the Jubilee committee under the leadership of WO1
Graeme Bremner. The success of the weekend is testament to
your efforts. Thank you so much!!
Espirit De Corps!!
CPL K J Hickman
NZAB Comms Cell IC
armyPEOPLE25
issue 452 | May 2014
Far left L/Cpl Brendan Sidwell
ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE
BY L/Cpl B Sidwell 7 Pl and Charlie Coy, 2/4 RNZIR
“Didn’t even see them,” is the answer I have been giving
when people ask about whether I got to meet the Royal
couple. That is par for the course when you put your hand
up to be Catafalque Guard for the Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge’s visit to Blenheim for a wreath laying ceremony
commemorating 100 years since WW1.
The Wreath Laying Ceremony was hosted by the Royal
New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and the Catafalque Guard
consisted of two Air Force pers, one Navy, one Army (all
JNCO’s) and an Air Force F/SGT as Guard Commander, as well
as the usual number of SNCO’s milling around.
After half a day of learning the ‘Reverse Arms’, ‘Slow March’
and ‘Lower Your Arms Reverse’ The Catafalque Guard and
other hangers on moved from Woodbourne Air Force Base to
Seymour Square War Memorial Clock Tower for rehearsals in
the rain, while TV cameras and reporters filmed us. Fences
and barriers were getting erected around us to keep the
public back and the police were doing their checking and
Royal Gift
The author of the children’s book presented to the Duke
and Duchess of Cambridge this month has reflected on
1914 New Zealand, just before the outbreak of war.
The book, Le Quesnoy: The Story of the Town New
Zealand Saved, was written by Professor Glyn Harper,
Professor of War Studies at Massey University, and
tells the story of how New Zealand soldiers liberated
the French town in 1918.
Professor Harper, who’s playing a key role in
preparing the official 13 volume Centenary History
of New Zealand and the First World War, is also a
successful children’s author and his book, Le Quesnoy,
reached number one on the NZ bestseller’s list for
children’s books last year.
He was surprised and honoured that the book was
chosen by the Department of Internal Affairs to be
presented to the Royal couple.
planning. Opposite to where I was to take up position, a
raised media stand was being built to house the 20 odd
cameras, five television cameras and reporters from around
the world. “No pressure,” I said to myself when the enormity
of the situation dawned on me.
The next day was the big day and after drawing weapons
from Woodbourne armoury we once again moved to Seymour
Square for another two full rehearsals while police sniffer
dogs sniffed everything around us. Those rehearsals were
invaluable in getting the nervous tension out of the system
because we were already performing in front of a large
crowd. I’m told that some committed people had been there
since 0430hrs in the rain. After rehearsals it was time to get
changed and wait for our time to shine.
Cellphones are a fantastic invention, because instead of
mounting the Catafalque at the proposed time of 1015, we
waited until we got the text telling us that the motorcade
was leaving at about 1050. That saved us 35 minutes of pain!
After about 20 minutes at ‘Lower Your Arms Reverse’ the
Royal Couple arrived. I could hear the screaming and cheers
getting louder as the car got closer, and when they got out of
the car the cameras let loose and made sounds like a live fire
platoon assault. Next, the Duke and Duchess laid a wreath at
the base of the Memorial. At the command of a drum roll from
the RNZAF, ‘Present Arms’ was adopted before the Bugler
played the Last Post, back to the shoulder, then another
‘Present Arms’ for the National Anthem, then back to the
shoulder were we stayed. Kate and William then went over to
meet some hand-picked local Veterans of various campaigns
before heading off to meet some members of the public.
After the cheering and flag waving had calmed down we
were then marched off and dismissed and headed to the
Blenheim RSA for lunch.
I found the experience as a whole to be well worth it
and was honoured to be part of such an occasion. If the
opportunity to do something like this crosses your path I
recommend that you put your hand up as I can honestly say
that it was a once in a lifetime experience.
Back on April 25, 1914, Professor Harper says few people
were aware of the conflict in the Balkans that would lead to
war a few months later.
New Zealand was an agricultural country of just over a
million people enjoying “good economic times” when a
terrorist act in the Balkans led to the conflict.
Young men joined the war for the adventure, travel and
an opportunity to see the world “ignorant of its causes,
innocent of its meaning” as war historian and Gallipoli
survivor, Ormond Burton, wrote.
Britain’s declaration of war, on behalf of itself and its
empire, came “out of the blue” with few people informed
about the events that caused the conflict Professor
Harper says.
“Yet we were well prepared to send troops and thousands
of young men who joined up saw it as a cheap way to get
overseas and experience life,” he comments.
By 1918 this country had sent more than 102,000 men and
women overseas to support the Allied war effort. Of those
nearly 60,000 became casualties and 18,000 were killed.
“As a result Anzac Day this year and the RSA
commemorations throughout New Zealand will become
more poignant as we approach the centenary of World
War One,” Glyn Harper says.
The RSA is part of the governing group responsible
for the centenary history of World War One. CEO,
David Moger, says it’s pleasing to see the government
recognising and supporting the commitments made by
World War One veterans.
“We were delighted the Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge were gifted Professor Harper’s children’s
book and Prince William found time to inspect our
military heritage,” David says.
Professor’s Harper’s book, Johnny NZ, the New
Zealand Soldier at War, which is part of the official
volumes, is due for release in August next year and
only a fortnight ago, his eighth children’s book, Jim’s
Letters, about the story of Gallipoli, was launched.
26armySPORT
issue 452 | May 2014
James Mander leading Jacob in the peleton. All photos this page: Mr Rick Spooner
Mark Spessot leading the peleton before the break
formed, just south of Hanmer.
Team riders catching up just after the finish at Ocean
Ridge Estate, Kaikoura.
Mark with Michael Vink and the other breakaway
riders working hard.
Before the race, Left to Right, Mr Jacob Grieve,
Mr Frank Sutton, Major Brett Grieve, Private
Gerard Bell, and Mr James Mander
BURNHAM CYCLING
The Burnham Army Cycling team, proudly supported by
Hollands Collision Centre Rolleston and Fulton Hogan, are
now halfway through their first year of competition. The team
is learning hard lessons on the road, but growing stronger
and more confident with each round.
The first round, at Oxford in March was the flattest course
and the team had four riders in the peleton sprint at the
end, gaining 17th, 18th and 26th. This 160km fast circuit
suited our riders, being heavier but more powerful than
other competitors.
Round Two in Hokitika in mid April was a foul day with
driving rain and a more undulating course. We figured this
would play to our advantage, being somewhat accustomed
to inclement weather, and came up with an aggressive race
plan. This round was reported as the strongest cycling field
in NZ for some time, but we carried on regardless. During the
first part of the race, after the break had gone, we decided
to chase it down, with our three strongest riders going at
full gas at the front of the peleton. Unfortunately we were
dropping the weaker members of our team at the same time,
and softening up our legs for later on. An hour later we found
ourselves with four riders left, all on the wrong side of a split
in the peleton, and just as our chase was gaining momentum
a crash took James and Brett out of contention. Only Jacob
was able to make it back to the peleton, but finished in 27th,
two minutes adrift of the peleton, unable to stay with later
attacks. It was a harsh lesson to learn, having only one rider
finish, and has kindled a deeper level of respect for the
athletic ability of the other competitors.
Round Three in Hanmer in May was a much better situation,
with a more conservative race plan, and a stronger team,
motivated to train harder after previous set backs. We finally
got a rider in the break, Mark Spessot, who timed it perfectly
which enabled the rest of the team to stay protected in the
peleton. The Hanmer to Kaikoura course is 132km and has
numerous river crossings with steep approaches and a hilltop
finish. The team only had to work hard 15km from the end,
when the main contenders accelerated on the last significant
hill. We had sufficient power to bring them back after 10
minutes effort. The hilltop finish was a real test but we
finished 19th, 20th and 32nd and were quite pleased at being
able to execute our race plan. The learning is happening…
The team will now take a short break over winter, before the
final three rounds in Ashburton, Nelson and Rolleston, to be
held in Aug, Sep and Oct respectively.
Proudly supported by:
armySPORT27
issue 452 | May 2014
NEW ZEALAND ARMY GOLF UPDATE
Calling all golfers; calling all broken
rugby players; calling anyone else
who still wants to be involved in
a competitive sport with great
camaraderie - summer is leaving us and
the start of winter is fast approaching.
Dust off your clubs once again and come
and join us in a fast growing sport with
high international interest in young
New Zealand players.
The NZ Army Inter regional tournament was held at Linton
in February 2014 , and the NZ Army Championship was held
later that month. ‘New players’ exploded onto the Army
golfing scene with fantastic results, none more than LCPL Ben
Clutterbuck of 1 RNZIR and PTE Brett Taylor of 2 CSSB. Both
of these exciting young players did very well at the regional
tournament and NZ Army Championship with Ben winning the
title of NZ Army Champion 2014 on the first hole of a sudden
death play off (after already completing 36 holes) with SSGT
Adam Orlowski.
The Regional tournament was sponsored and hosted by
the Linton Camp Golf Club which made arrangements for the
competition a lot easier than in previous years. The weather
did not play fair on the lead up to the tournament with dry
and hot conditions drying out the course. However, players
made the best of the well kept greens and the vast run that a
dry course offered. The winning team for the 2014 Regional
event was the Wellington with LCPL Ben Clutterbuck winning
the Senior and NZ Army Championship divisions, WO1
Mike van der Mespel winning the Intermediate division, Mr
Graeme Roberts the Junior division and Mrs Jayne Champ the
Women’s division.
PLAYER PROFILE – NZ ARMY GOLF
As part of an increasing number of young players
taking part in Army Golf this is a continuing series of
player profiles highlighting the level of dedication and
attainment that a number of our younger members have
and continue to achieve.
The first of two profiles in this article is on LCPL Ben
Clutterbuck, currently with the 1 RNZIR Recon and Sniper
Platoon, Linton. Ben is quite the exception and as a
double Army representative (holding both an Army pocket
for the Combat Shooting Team as well as NZ Army Golf) he
displays all of the qualities to continue to represent the NZ
army and his chosen sport at the highest levels.
Ben is a keen golfer maintaining a low playing handicap
for well over 10 years; he averages between a scratch
handicap and a handicap of two most years. He started
playing golf when he was only 10 years old and hasn’t
looked back since continuing to improve his game any
chance he gets. Some would say he’s a natural; those who
know him understand how many hours practice he puts in
on a weekly basis.
As a previous South Island Inter-Provincial
representative for Otago, Ben has represented not only
his region but additionally the NZ Army very well in the
2014 playing season. Ben recently won both the NZ Army
Championship conducted in Linton as well as the NZDF
Services Championship conducted at the Manawatu Golf
Course against some very strong competitors. Ben was
additionally selected to represent the NZDF Golf Team for
the 2014 playing year.
The second young player to be profiled in this article is
PTE Brett Taylor. Brett began his career with the Infantry
and has decided that there are other opportunities
to take his career forward with a trade change to
RNZALR as a driver with 10 Transport Squadron. Brett is
somewhat of a ‘natural player’ with golf. He first started
playing at the age of 13 stopping at 18 and now he has
only recently started playing again.
The most significant tournament he has taken part in
over the past four years is the NZ Army Championship
and regional event as well as the NZDF Services
championship and Inter-Service tournament. Previous
to this year Brett was a representative for the Bay
of Plenty which lead to him being selected as a New
Zealand representative. Furthermore he has also been
a NZ Maori representative and was selected to take
part in the New Zealand Srixon development squad –
something very hard to become involved in. He is best
known for being able to out drive most people only using
a 4-iron.
So long as both of these young men keep playing good
golf and have the support of their commanders in years
to follow, I am very sure that they will both represent the
NZ Army in golf for many years to come.
Regional Points of Contact for NZ Army Golf:
Southern
Mr Jon Berry, Mr Graham Sweetman and Mrs Jayne Champ
Wellington
MAJ John Govan and WO1 Mike van der Mespel
Central
WO2 John Sole and LCPL George O’Brien
Northern
CPL Leanne Corbett and SSGT Opes Parkes
NZ Army Code Chairman — MAJ Aaron Couchman
Email any of the contact personnel for details on playing
within future regional events or the Army Championship in
2015. Remain involved in NZ Army Sport if you can’t play
contact sports anymore - Get involved in NZ Army Golf
As part of a continuing series of articles detailing the
‘young’ golf players amongst us all, this month’s article
profiles two young players. Firstly LCPL Ben Clutterbuck,
a member of 1 RNZIR and of the Manawatu Golf Club and
secondly PTE Brett Taylor also currently of 1 RNZIR however
is seeking a change in life by becoming a driver with 2 CSSB
and plays out of the Taupo Golf Club.
LCPL Ben Clutterbuck
PTE Brett Taylor
ARMY SQUASH
All GRADES and
ungraded REGIOnals
21 May 2014
Waiouru
POC - CPL DUNN
DTelN 347 7197 • DDI 04 527 5197
SERVICES
22 - 25 May 2014
Ohakea
ANZAC DAY GALLIPOLI 2014