Naval Reservist Leading Marine Technician Brent Stewart at Devonport Naval Base.
10 October 2007
For ex-Kamo High student Leading Marine Technician Brent Stewart, it might seem ironic to make sure the fridges are running in minus 20 degree temperatures, but on the next NZDF rotation to Afghanistan that will be part of his job.
An electrical technician by trade, LMT Stewart will be responsible for the generators, refrigeration and electrical reticulation at the Kiwi Camp in Bamyan province, where the NZDF provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in Afghanistan is based.
“We can take things for granted in New Zealand because we have good infrastructure. But the winter is severe in Afghanistan and that causes issues with the piping, electrics and heating," LMT Stewart says.
Joining the naval reserves five years ago to have a hobby outside of work, LMT Stewart says he has had a great time on the water with the Royal NZ Navy Reserves.
“I’ve made new friends and done a lot of stuff that you can’t do in civilian life. I even have a secondary career to progress through, each step offering new challenges with a new skill set to learn.
Now as part of the tri-service NZDF team in Afghanistan, LMT Stewart’s service will shift to the land, much to the curiosity of workmates.
“I’ve had good support from my employer and they have granted a leave of absence and kept my job open. My deployment to Afghanistan has created a lot of interest within the Slab Plant where I work.
LMT Stewart says the pre-deployment training that was required was pretty intense, fitting in six weeks of training in what many of his full-time counterparts have spent the last three-to-four months learning.
The Whangarei local says that although everyone is very proud of him serving overseas, he will miss his friends and family and have a higher appreciation of them when he gets back.
Ultimately, LMT Stewart says the balance between the civilian and uniformed world of the naval reserves will help achieve a greater good.
“Basically I can use the skills from my civilian life to enable others in the NZPRT to bring stability to a region of the world that needs our help.”
Currently 718 New Zealand Defence Force personnel are deployed on 17 operations, UN missions and defence exercises around the world.