Graduating cadets, November 2007.
30 November 2007
The NZ Army's newest officers have graduated from Officer Cadet School during a ceremony attended by the Governor General Hon Anand Satyanand at Waiouru Army camp today.
Forty cadets graduated from the eleven month course. The graduates hail from the cities and provinces of New Zealand as well as Australia, Singapore and Papua New Guinea.
During their training these cadets spent around 100 days 'in the field' on exercise, and the rest f their time either in lectures or learning the essential military skills required of all members of the NZ Army.
Chief of Army Major General Lou Gardiner, also at the ceremony, said these young leaders had committed themselves to serve NZ honorably and loyally in the proud traditions of the army.
According to tradition, the 40 graduates will become newly commissioned officers at the stroke of midnight tonight when they will have their pips (shoulder-worn rank) pinned on by those who have supported them during their training .
In January 2008 the graduates will move to their chosen corps within the NZ Army for ongoing training which may take them overseas on deployment within a year of graduating.
Ends