Sergeant Major of the New Zealand Army

Warrant Officer Class One Danniel (Danny) Lawrence Broughton enlisted into the New Zealand Army in 1977 as a rifleman. On completion of his Basic Training he was posted to 2nd 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (2/1 RNZIR). Over the next twelve years, he spent the majority of his time with 2/1 RNZIR and completing postings to the 1st Battalion, RNZIR (located in Singapore) in 1978 and again in 1982. During this time he also attended many training exercises in Australia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Rarotonga.

In May 1988, Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Broughton was posted to 2nd Canterbury and Nelson Marlborough West Coast Battalion (2 Cant NMWC), Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment as the Cadre NCO for Logistics Company (based at King Edward Barracks, Christchurch) and in 1989 he was posted to Charlie Company, 2 Cant NMWC (based in Timaru).

In 1992 WO1 Broughton was posted to Officer Cadet School (New Zealand) (OCS (NZ)) as a Field Wing Instructor and in 1995 after being promoted to Warrant Officer Class Two, he was posted back to 2/1 RNZIR as a Company Sergeant Major. During this time he deployed to the Solomon Islands as part of a New Zealand Army Training Team.

In 1997, WO1 Broughton was promoted to Warrant Officer Class One and deployed to Bougainville as part of the ANZAC Truce Monitoring Group. On return from this operation, he was posted to Headquarters 3rd Land Force group as the Training Warrant Officer.

In December 1999 WO1 Broughton was posted back to 2 Cant NMWC as the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) based at Burnham. In 2001 he deployed to East Timor as part of the NZ Army Subject Matter Army Review Team (SMART) and in June 2001 he was posted to 2/1 RNZIR as the RSM.

In November 2001, WO1 Broughton deployed on United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), New Zealand Battalion No 5 as the RSM. In November 2003 he was selected to attend the United States Army Sergeant Major’s Academy and spent the next nine months studying at Fort Bliss, Texas before returning to take up his new appointment as the RSM, OCS (NZ) in Waiouru.

In April 2007, he deployed to Sinai as the Training Warrant Officer/RSM of the  New Zealand Contingent Multinational Force and Observers (NZCMFO). On return to New Zealand in November 2007, WO1 Broughton was selected for and took up the position of Land Component Sergeant Major.

On the 6th April 2010, WO1 Broughton was posted to the newly created appointment of Warrant Officer, Joint Forces New Zealand working directly to the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand (COMJFNZ).

With effect 15 February 2011, WO1 Broughton assumed his current position of Sergeant Major of the New Zealand Army. 

WO1 Broughton was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on the February 1992 and the Clasp to the Long Service and Good Conduct medal in February 2007.  WO1 Broughton also was awarded a Chief of General Staff’s  Commendation in 2002.  WO1 Broughton was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in January 2004 and received the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) on 1 December 2006.

WO1 Broughton is completing a Graduate Diploma in Business Studies and he is currently the Chairman for Army Rugby League.

WO1 Broughton is married to Jacqueline and they have four children.