By Gillian Boyes, Defence Transformation Programme
Wolves hunt in packs in a collective strategy for successful survival. With that approach in mind it’s not surprising that the objective of the NZDF’s newly established Warrant Officer Leadership Forum (WOLF) is to provide collective oversight, leadership, support and guidance to the strategic development of NZDF Non Commissioned Personnel.
WOLF is made up of nine core members including two from each Service and will meet four times a year. WO1 John Barclay who set up WOLF says the name is entirely deliberate.
‘Wolves are more successful when they operate collectively, in packs. The larger the pack the bigger the game, in other words the more chance of success. Since Warrant Officers are required to actively contribute to the future of their Service and the NZDF, the success of this will be enhanced through a collective approach. This can be achieved through sharing information, ideas, experiences and increasing our knowledge and the breadth and depth of our understanding,’ says WO1 Barclay.
The theme for this year’s meetings is ‘We can shape our future’ and WO1 Barclay says that translates to a direct challenge to get involved in the major changes coming up within NZDF.
‘The Defence Transformation Programme (DTP) is one area where some are already engaged. In reality the days are gone where we sit and wait for direction – our subordinates and superiors rely on us for the right thing at the right time to achieve the right effect. Increasingly there are opportunities for this effect to be an NZDF effect. The WOLF series supports this.’
W/O of the Air Force, Keith Gell is on the WOLF team and says the information he learns through WOLF can be fed back into the activities he already does with his own Warrant Officer forums.
‘W/Os are doers, we’re very tactical. Hearing about it first hand means I can translate it into what’s real for the guys on the ground,’ says W/O Gell.
As well as discussing the DTP, the first meeting included discussions on financial challenges and opportunities, and the Defence White Paper.
‘WOLF is in its formative stages and will evolve and hopefully as a result it will help us remain ahead of the “game”,’ says WO1 Barclay.