The New Zealand Defence Force has for the first time appointed a woman to the rank of brigadier. She is Anne Campbell, who has been appointed Director General Defence Medical Services, and as brigadier will be New Zealand’s highest-ranking female military officer.
Anne Campbell laughs when she remembers her first days as Private Lowe, soldier.
"I never envisaged a career in the Army – what a thought! I wanted a bit of adventure, and I needed money to help pay my way through medical school, so I joined the Territorial Force. There was no way I was going to make it my career though – I just wanted to enjoy myself."
And enjoy herself she did, learning core military skills and leadership training, and spending her holidays outdoors, which she loved.
It wasn’t until her final year at medical school, when she worked an elective period with the New Zealand Army Battalion in Singapore, that she first encountered regular force personnel. She loved being in the field working as a medical officer, but, as many women entering what was then a male-dominated workforce found, there were hurdles to clear.
"They looked at me and said, ‘women don’t go into the field here.’ I told them I had my DPMs (field uniform) boots and pack and was ready to go. And off I went."
She met, and later married, an infantry officer, Bob Campbell, who was based in Singapore when she did her medical elective.
"I had the choice of changing my job every two or three years to coincide with his postings, or I could join the Army as a medical officer. I chose the latter and I have never regretted it."
She describes her husband Bob, who is now a lieutenant colonel and Commandant of the Cadet Forces, as her mentor, providing constant encouragement throughout her career.
But the hurdles didn’t cease. When she became pregnant, one commanding officer was adamant he could not have a pregnant officer working in his unit.
"But just as there was negativity in some areas, there were other people, like a commanding officer I had at one time, Lieutenant Colonel John Dennistoun-Wood (later Brigadier), who were amazingly supportive. He would encourage me, educate me in various aspects of the Army, and be very inclusive to ensure I learnt about tactics in the Army in a way that would help the job I was doing.
"The New Zealand Defence Force is now much more supportive of serving female personnel, she says.
When she became pregnant with her first child, Joshua, now 18, she had a maternity uniform – an elongated jungle-green shirt - specially made, as there was no maternity uniform provided. "I didn’t want to be known as " that pregnant doctor". I was still Major Campbell, and I wanted to continue being that person."
Ashley, her daughter, now 16, enjoys similar adventures and has now joined the cadet forces.
Throughout her career she has served in clinical and medical staff appointments, and has held senior health positions at camps and bases throughout New Zealand, as well as completing a recent secondment with the Ministry of Health.
While now much of her time is spent desk-bound, Brigadier Campbell has continued practising family medicine (general practice) - her specialty - throughout her 25-year Army career. Put her in a disaster zone and she’s in her element; she deployed to Papua New Guinea following the tsunami there in 1997, and to Banda Aceh earlier this year in the aftermath of the devastating tsunami and earthquake.
In Papua New Guinea, as commanding officer of the New Zealand contingent, she worked alongside surgeons and other doctors as they amputated limbs, debrided wounds, and fought to save the lives of casualties.
In Banda Aceh she again worked as a medical officer, treating patients at the local hospital the New Zealand defence team helped reopen following the devastation.
"Both those experiences were unforgettable. When you’re a health professional, disaster relief and humanitarian aid are two of the most satisfying things you can do. They’re short, sharp, full-on activities, but in terms of what you can offer they are very rewarding."
She served in East Timor too, and since 1997 has been involved in preparing every contingent that has deployed overseas from New Zealand.
The medical issues facing the New Zealand Defence Force, she says, include ensuring the force finds a balance in providing operational health care for operational troops. "We maintain the force wellness and therefore its strength. Defence is responsible for ensuring its personnel are well and fit, and does so through its medical services directorate, providing free health care and ensuring fitness standards are maintained."
The age of retirement from the NZDF is increasing, and that brings health issues with it, as does the high tempo of operations, deployments and exercises. As a consequence Brigadier Campbell is always on the lookout for doctors to join one of the three Services, either in the regular force, or on part-time contracts. "I can tell them every day will hold a challenge, and that missions, while they may have to rough it and eat the same food for a week, bring with them huge professional and personal benefits."
Having recently returned from a conference in the United States, where much of the discussion was about the effects of Cyclone Katrina, she says she would like to see a better-integrated disaster relief system between the civilian and military sectors in New Zealand. "It is partially there, but I think it needs to be more robust."
As far as the NZDF’s medical capabilities are concerned, the future is looking bright, she says."
We have the forward surgical team, and our new multi-role vessel will include a surgical platform. The Air Force’s 757s, once the cargo door is modified, will have an intensive care platform for moving up to seven critically ill patients, and of course we still have the C130 Hercules for moving many patients. We are constantly monitoring how well prepared we are for whatever may arise."