Warrant Officer Class One A.D. Cunnningham
Warrant Officer Class One Alan Douglas Cunningham was born in Hastings, January 1961. He was educated at Hastings Boys High School
WO1 Cunningham enlisted into the New Zealand Army in November 1978. On completing his Basic training he was posted to Queen Alexandra’s Waikato/Wellington East Coast Squadron at Waiouru.
As a Crewman he spent time in Waiouru and 1st New Zealand Scots in Burnham, Christchurch. As a Senior Non Commissioned Officer, WO1 Cunningham has held a number of appointments throughout his career as Troop Sergeant, Sergeant Major School of Armour and Squadron Sergeant Major Bravo Squadron Queen Alexander Mounted Rifles. He was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer Class Two in March 1996.
WO1 Cunningham was an Instructor to the Royal Military College, Duntroon Australia in December 1998 and has held Regimental appointments as School Sergeant Major Combat School, Regimental Sergeant Major Queen Alexander Mounted Rifles and Regimental Sergeant Major Officer Cadet School in December 2002.
In September 2004, WO1 Cunningham was promoted into the position of Formation Sergeant Major for 2nd Land Formation Group Linton, the Army’s largest operational formation. In October 2007, WO1 Cunningham was deployed to Afghanistan as a Patrol Commander with the New Zealand Provisional Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan. On his return in June 2008, WO1 Cunningham was posted to GSO3 Capability Staff as a Staff Officer within the Capability Management Cell of Manoeuvre, Army General Staff.
WO1 Cunningham is the recipient of a number of Army medals and awards. He has been awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal in 1993 and was awarded the Clasp to this award in December 2008. He also holds the Operational Service Medal, Former Yugoslavia – United Nations Protection Force (UPROFOR) Medal, NZ GSM (Afghanistan)- primary and the NATO ISAF for operations in Afghanistan.
In May 2009 he assumed the appointment of Sergeant Major of the Army, Army General Staff, Wellington.
WO1 Cunningham is interested in all sports and has been a member of the New Zealand Defence Force Services team for Harriers.
Background on the position of Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA): The post of SMA is the most senior non-commissioned post in the Army. The position works closely with the Chief of Army (CA) and is the CA’s link to the Army’s warrant officers and non-commissioned officers.