The Defence Force is committed to working with New Zealand’s young people. As well as the tri-service LSV Company and Youth Life Skills courses, each of the three services has its own programmes that highlight service careers and promote the Defence Force values of courage, comradeship, commitment and integrity.
Heke Proves Himself at the LSV Company
Quinton Heke was one of eighty trainees from the Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) Course who graduated in a recent march out parade, reviewed by the Minister for Social Development and Employment, Ruth Dyson.
LSV is a six week residential programme at Burnham military camp designed to increase the number of New Zealanders between the ages of 17 – 25 entering employment or further training. The course focuses on developing self confidence, motivation, initiative and team work. LSV is a combined initiative between the NZDF and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). MSD provides the operating costs while NZDF delivers the expertise and training personnel. Based on the 1645 British army model, LSV trainees wear military uniform and are subject to military law while resident at Burnham camp. Trainees also operate within the Army structure of Section, Platoon and Company.
At 25, Quinton Heke was the oldest trainee at the latest LSV course. He came from Te Awamutu and had strong supporters there who believed the training at Burnham would provide a good starting point for turning his life around.
His life experiences, which could be classified as colourful, enabled him to provide good advice and support to the younger trainees. He exceeded expectations consistently and was presented the ‘Officer Commanding Top Trainee Award for All Round Excellence’ and the ‘Peers’ Choice Award’.
The Officer Commanding of the LSV Company, Major Cate Linton says the LSV is not the “boot camp” it is sometimes described as, however it does demand high standards in terms of attitude and behaviour.
“LSV is no walk in the park. The participants are challenged continuously throughout the six weeks, and boundaries are pushed. Quinton rose to the challenges presented and approached the course with maturity and commitment. He achieved outstanding results recognised not only by the staff, but also by his peers who elected him for the ‘Peers’ Choice Award’,” Major Linton said.
On returning to Te Awamutu, Quinton took up employment with a company maintaining power pylons (TEMCO) and intends to put into practice the life skills developed throughout his six weeks at Burnham.
It is estimated that more than 70 per cent of trainees find employment or go on to further training within two months of completing the LSV course.
Kia Kaha
Kia Kaha is designed to make young Naval recruits cognisant of their responsibilities to uphold the Navy’s core values of ‘Commitment, Courage, and Comradeship’. The programme highlights to Naval Basic Common Trainee Graduates (BCTs) the consequences and risks to themselves, their families, the Royal New Zealand Navy and local communities of poor judgement and bad decision-making aboard ship and within the community. The BCTs are usually spoken to by leaders in the community and various role models. At the most recent Kia Kaha session, former Petty Officer Physical Training Instructor (POPTI), former All Black Captain Wayne (Buck) Shelford gave a motivational talk about exercising good judgement and decision-making for everyday life; in sport, socially and in teams. Buck spoke of his time in the Navy and the goal setting that required him to make choices about his actions (‘Do I go out with the boys or prepare for tomorrow’s game?’). His key messages to trainees were, ‘Look after your mates, set personal goals and maintain standards’.
Army Careers Experience (ACE)
The New Zealand Army hosts students in Years 11, 12 and 13 during the school holidays, who may be contemplating an army career. Students live in a military camp for a week, talk with soldiers from different trades and are exposed to various aspects of army life, including physical training. The Army Careers Experience (ACE) is designed to help students gain an understanding of the various career options within the NZ Army by providing a realistic and honest representation of trades and careers options as well as lifestyle to allow a better informed career choice.
Air Force Challenge
Every year the RNZAF runs a week-long challenge for high school students at Bases Ohakea and Whenuapai during the school holidays, where students get to fly in military aircraft, participate in team building and discover the nature and range of all Air Force trades.
Of the 2008 Air Force Challenge, Ella Barrett said:
“What I thought was great, was how the entire week was packed with activities. There was very little time to be bored. It was also awesome how we were able to visit almost all the trades in the Air Force and get an insight of what life is like living on base”.
Ben Johnson added “Meeting new people from all over the country was definitely one of the best parts of the Air Force Challenge and the new friends that I made in my syndicate just made the whole trip enjoyable. My awesome syndicate leader, F/S Jacqueline Doolan-Tindall, also made my trip enjoyable. She was fun and energetic and answered all my questions”.
HMNZS Canterbury Scholarship
The HMNZS Canterbury Scholarship was established by the RNZN Navy in 2005. The scholarship, which is funded from the Navy’s non-Public funds, marks the long and supportive relationship between the RNZN and the province of Canterbury. It entitles the winner to $10,000 towards domestic tuition fees and course related costs or living expenses. The purpose is to support school leavers from Canterbury in their first year of study at the University of Canterbury in any discipline. This year’s scholarship winner, Rachel Standring, is studying papers in Music, Chinese and Law. She describes herself as being “ecstatic and incredibly proud” on hearing she had been awarded the scholarship. Canterbury Scholars are required to demonstrate and identify with the RNZN values of courage, commitment and comradeship.