“Mothers often see the armed services as organisations that would take their sons away from them. I felt I had already lost my son, the LSV company has returned him to me.”
So wrote the “proud mother of a proud son” after his return from a six week Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) residential programme run by the New Zealand Defence Force and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) at Burnham Camp near Christchurch. The LSV programme is focused on developing self confidence, motivation, initiative and team-work.
The letter sits among a pile of notes and cards the LSV Company Commander Major Cate Linton has collected over recent years from course graduates, appreciative mums and dads, and other whanau.
“We can see the difference we are making in these young peoples lives in the six weeks they are with us,” says MAJ Linton. “What the correspondence confirms is that for many the change isn’t just temporary, but we have in fact given them new tools for life.”
This is a view Principal Youth Court Judge Andrew Becroft shares. He was invited to an LSV “march out” parade earlier this year and was very encouraged by what he saw:
“I had not realised what the modern Army could provide, not only in the way of outdoor adventure, but also life skills, mentoring, and, in association with Work and Income New Zealand — vocational training,” he later wrote in a letter to Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae.
And the Government seems to agree, making several significant announcements this year around youth opportunities involving the NZDF.
In August came news of the expansion of youth pre-employment initiatives, which specifically included growing the Limited Service Volunteer Scheme. The Government put forward up to $19 million of new funding with the intent of establishing two additional LSV programmes by the start of next year — one each in the central/lower North Island and one in the Auckland region. Up to 1250 extra young people will go through the LSV scheme annually.
The Government also announced a doubling of the number of Service Academies from eight to sixteen throughout New Zealand. Over the next two years this will add 480 more places for students.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says the expanded LSV scheme will offer a range of training including fitness, communication, budgeting and financial skills.
“We want to help maximise the potential of our young people, particularly when the recession is impacting on their opportunities,” she says.
Associate Minister of Defence Heather Roy says the LSV scheme uses the Defence Force ethos and values to develop effective team members.
“While Limited Service volunteers are not trained as soldiers, they come away with a much better understanding of what is required of them in society,” Mrs Roy says.
Prime Minister John Key also announced a series of initiatives to improve the lives of young people at risk of poor outcomes. These included the Fresh Start for Young Offenders programme, which features military-style activity programmes to help address serious youth offending by instilling self-discipline, personal responsibility and community values in young offenders.
The NZDF is supporting this programme with its Youth Life Skills staff taking an outdoor camp where young offenders learn outdoor field craft skills. There will also be military-style team building activities, physical training and drill. Although the instruction will occur at Youth Detention Centres, on occasions youth offenders will be taken to military camps to use confidence courses and high ropes facilities.
“As Prime Minister, I am determined to ensure our young people have the opportunities they need to deliver on their potential and ambition,” John Key said on announcing the Fresh Start package. “I want them to have the skills and experiences they require to succeed, to gain productive employment, and to achieve good living standards.
“We owe our young people opportunities to deliver the very best of themselves. They owe us their very best efforts in return.”
LTGEN Mateparae says the NZDF is proud to be supporting the delivery of parts of this new MSD-led youth rehabilitation initiative.
“This is an opportunity for the NZDF to assist other agencies in providing New Zealand’s most serious and persistent young offenders with intensive interventions.
“Our people are great trainers and we have many great skills, values and attitudes to teach, especially around self discipline and motivation. We will be bringing these into the Youth Detention Centres,” said LTGEN Mateparae.
“The NZDF is an organisation founded on an ethic of service to our country and the values of courage, commitment, comradeship and integrity, all built around doctrine, leadership, learning and discipline. We have a responsibility to use these talents for the benefit of New Zealand.
LSV Graduates in their own words:
“Before LSV, I’d sit home watching TV all day, or sometimes I would get up at 2pm … I hung out with the wrong people and got into a bit of trouble with the police. The Limited Service Volunteer Company taught me a lot — not only about others but more importantly about myself; I realise I have a lot to offer and I’m more confident in what I do… ”
– LSV graduate
“Six weeks ago I was lost. When I entered the gates of Burnham Military Camp I was just another unemployed young adult who didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do with myself or where I was heading in life. I felt worthless ... But this course has made me realise my true potential and that I can contribute to our society … You have given me pride and dignity that I never thought I’d have … it’s amazing what a little discipline can do….”
– LSV graduate
“My time at LSV was a challenging but rewarding experience. I learned so much about myself and gained confidence in myself … There were times I wanted to give up but with the encouragement and support of LSV staff and the rest of my ‘platoon’ I was able to overcome the obstacles that were holding me down … I am now studying Early Childhood Education, if I put into practice what I learned at LSV I will get there…”
– LSV graduate