The Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) scheme is a combined Ministry of Social Development and New Zealand Defence Force initiative hosted at Burnham Army Camp. The Ministry of Social Development provides the operating costs, while the NZDF delivers expertise and the training personnel. About 700 trainees attend the six week courses each year. To be eligible for admission to the programme a trainee should be aged between 18-25 and be registered with Work and Income. The mission of the LSV is “to increase numbers of young New Zealanders entering employment or further training”. One Force met some of the trainees and staff of the first LSV intake of 2009.
The Trainees
A “shock to the system” is how many trainees describe their first week at the Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) Company. Five intakes of 150 young people arrive at Burnham Army camp each year for a six week course of military training which keeps them challenged all day, every day. Based on the classic Army model, each intake is divided into three groups or “Platoons”.
LSV Cooper
Trainees dress in army fatigues and are subject to military law while there. Waking at 5.30am they are kept busy until about 10pm with a variety of physical and mental challenges. Behind all the activities is a desire to improve self esteem and confidence, inspire motivation and self discipline, and encourage respect for oneself and others.
Trainees often arrive at the camp unmotivated and unfocused. They may have been in trouble with the law, have problems with drugs and alcohol, been in abusive relationships or simply have issues with focus and decision-making.
No two days are the same for trainees at the LSV Company, and the programme varies between classroom-based learning and outdoor physical activities such as a 50 km tramp, river crossings, rafting and marching. The LSV instructors work hard to maintain a positive environment and guest speakers come in to give advice on things like tenancy rights, dress and grooming, budgeting, employment, and drug abuse.
Four trainees from the first intake of LSV for 2009 shared their impressions after four weeks on the course:
Trainee Gibbs
LSV Gibbs
Trainee Gibbs says he was beginning to go off the rails at home in Tauranga, when he was given the opportunity to come to the LSV Company. His Section Commander said he had been impressed with Devin’s progress and his commitment to change. Having had a taste of military routines at the LSV, Devin thinks he would thrive in a full time military role and hopes to apply to the Navy: “I’ve learned a lot about myself since coming to the LSV; that I can show leadership; that I’m physically fitter than I realised; that I can control my anger and that I can give people confidence.” (Devin Gibbs, 19, Tauranga).
Trainee Cooper
Trainee Cooper came to the LSV Company because she wanted a fresh start. She said both the LSV staff and her Platoon peers were very supportive and was surprised how well everyone got along. She misses the everyday freedoms but likes having boundaries and being away from bad influences. “My thinking has changed and my attitude has changed. I realise it’s not all about me in this world, and that I like working in a team. I never thought I’d ever say that!” (Shannon ‘Shaz’ Cooper, 20, Titahi Bay).
Trainee Hoare
Major Cate Linton
Trainee Hoare says his time at the LSV Company has improved his communication skills “I wasn’t good at listening before. Now I’m a better listener.” (Ainsely Hoare, 18, Kapiti).
Trainee Veatapu
Trainee Veatapu says she came to the LSV because she didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life and also felt she had problems with anger management. Mele was enjoying the challenge of getting along with new people and trying new things. “The LSV is pretty onto it. It’s full on, but fair.” (Mele Veatapu, 18, Glenn Innes).
The Staff
Major Cate Linton
Officer Commanding of the LSV Company, Major Cate Linton says the course is in three phases – an induction period focuses on goal setting, the second phase focuses on working as a team in outdoor environments, while the final part focuses on preparing for working life, where things like budgeting, tenancy rights and grooming are addressed. Major Linton says an organisation (Academy New Zealand) now provides support for the trainees when they leave, in terms of employment: “LSV staff deal with the here and now. MSD and Academy New Zealand follow up in the future”. Staffed by 25% Navy, 50% Army and 25% Air Force personnel, the LSV gives trainees a balanced perspective of military life, and provides good career opportunities for instructors from each of the Services too.
Leading Combat Systems Specialist, TeHuki McDonald
LCSS TeHuki McDonald
Navy man Leading Combat Systems Specialist TeHuki McDonald describes being an instructor at the LSV as both challenging and rewarding: “Trainees come from different backgrounds and often arrive at the camp with issues including drugs, alcohol, and gang affiliations. There’s an element of counselling in my job.” Although he is not trying to be a recruiter, LCSS McDonald enjoys telling the trainees about the Navy “I highlight the perks of being in the Navy – the travel, the free medical treatment, cheap housing, mates for life, and sporting activities.” LCSS McDonald says he sees a huge change in the trainees at the end of six weeks in a positive environment: “When they march out on the last day, they’re completely different people from when they arrived on the first day.”
Corporal Shamus Macdonald
Royal New Zealand Air Force Corporal Shamus Macdonald has been an instructor at the LSV Company for 12 of his 18 month contract. Corporal Macdonald says the posting has been great for his career development: “The LSV is the best place I could go to get a command perspective. We don’t get the hands-on telling-people-what-to-do stuff in the Air Force – this place is really good for learning management!”
Corporal David Natta
Corporal David Natta joined the NZ Army’s Territorial Force in 1986 and is now on a Regular Force contract with the NZ Army. He says he’s suited to being an LSV instructor as he’s had experience in both the “civvie and the military worlds” and at “twice the age of most of the trainees, he’s “old enough to be their father”. He also notes the changes in the trainees at the conclusion of the course: “I love the rewards of seeing them march out at the end of the course; confident and ready to face the world. Then I know I’ve done my job.”