10 November 2008
Up to 120 Naval Reserve personnel are heading to Whangaparoa Training Camp for a “Fit for Service” period from Thursday 13 November to Sunday 16 November 2008.
Personnel from the Naval Reservists Units, HMNZ Ships PEGASUS (Christchurch), TOROA (Dunedin), OLPHERT (Wellington) and NGAPONA (Auckland) will join RESERVEX 08, with the objective to achieve a ‘Fit for Service’ standard, enabling personnel to develop leadership skills through teamwork and evolutions.
Evolutions tested will include, multi stage fitness test, pistol training - test and shoot, medical evacuation exercise training, damage control evolutions - fire and flood, leadership evolutions - the confidence course, seamanship training, ceremonial and parade drill.
All RESERVEX 08 attendees will be involved in a Leadership and Team Building Exercise on Thursday 13 November from 0900 – 1200. Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson and up to 7 members of the Territorial Force Employer Support Programme will be on site to observe this activity.
Completing RESERVEX 08; all attendees will be involved in ‘Unit Divisions’ on Sunday, 16 November 2008 with a formal parade and address by the Deputy Chief of Navy, Commodore Bruce Pepperell.
Media are invited to visit the Whangaparoa Training Camp during RESERVEX 08 by appointment.
Background
The Naval Volunteer Reserve are the part time people. The seagoing equivalent of the Army Territorials, Reservists are typically people with regular jobs (although many are also tertiary students or full time parents) who get paid for the spare time they spend as a member of the Naval Reserve. In the past they have formed the crew the (now decommissioned) Inshore Patrol Craft that protect New Zealand's waters (predominantly in the weekend). They will have exciting opportunities ahead to join the crew onboard the four Inshore Patrol Vessels being built for the Navy under Project Protector. They also enjoy the opportunity to work with the regular force either at sea or overseas on peacekeeping missions.
The Naval Reserve has a proud place in New Zealand's naval history, its people providing professional loyal service on a part-time basis. The role of the early Naval Reserve was to supplement regular force numbers and to provide coastal defences to ensure the free flow of shipping. The role has become more complex but still involves supplying personnel for naval vessels as well as providing a key interface between the New Zealand Defence Force and the Maritime Industry. But there is so much more... from fishery patrols and customs assistance, to assisting civil agencies, to hosting overseas guests, to port based liaison, to peacekeeping missions, to boarding and briefing of merchant vessel Masters, to vessel tracking and maritime operational analysis. The opportunities are endless.
ENDS
For further information, including registration of interest to attend Whangaparoa Military Camp to cover RESERVEX 08 activities, please contact Lieutenant Commander Barbara Cassin, Public Relations Manager (Navy) - Mob: 021-2440638.