Nestled in one corner of the Trentham Military Camp is a small facility that is the New Zealand Defence Force’s ‘jewel in the crown’ for delivering professional military education – the Command and Staff College.
This modest campus comprising a lecture theatre, syndicate rooms, offices and accommodation for up to 50 course members belies the College’s ambitious vision: preparing today’s emerging military leaders to meet the defence and security challenges of tomorrow.
While offering rigorous academic qualifications, a feature of the Staff College’s residential programme is the inclusion of international students alongside Kiwi counterparts. This underscores the College’s vital place in the Defence Force’s long-term military diplomacy efforts.
In 2010 the postgraduate Staff Course has students from Australia, Brunei, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and Vietnam.
Around a third of the course is made up of international visitors, says the College’s Director Commander Shaun Fogarty, “that’s been quite a deliberate decision, and we are very proud of that”.
Half the international students come through New Zealand’s Mutual Assistance Programme (MAP), where New Zealand has undertaken to provide education and training, technical advice, and resources to the defence forces of countries in Asia and the Pacific.
Cdr Fogarty says the College aims to grow strategic leaders, providing course members with the theoretical and practical tools necessary for success in command, and to contribute effectively as staff officers. One aspect of the Staff Course is enhancing understanding between participants from diverse backgrounds. Networks begun at the Staff College should prove valuable later in careers.
Initial reticence between classmates from different backgrounds soon gives way through dialogue and vigorous engagement. Cdr Fogarty notes that course members who come from countries with vastly different cultures and strategic national interests grasp opportunities for debate which might otherwise not be possible.
“Initially it’s difficult for them, but they soon realise there are alternative perspectives, and are able to acknowledge and debate each other’s point of view. Of course classmates might have to agree to disagree on occasion, but the sharing of different perspectives is a powerful component of a course like this.”
The capstone experience of the course each year is an overseas study tour. This year the course will travel to Papua New Guinea, China and Malaysia. The formal Massey University assessment completed whilst on tour allows for the many strands of learning on the course to be woven together. Cdr Fogarty says a striking feature of the study tour is the level of military but also political access the course members are given. “Countries we are visiting view us as making a significant diplomatic effort and so host countries treat the visit with a lot of seriousness. Proof of this is the very senior level of diplomats and officials in each country who come to address the course members, it’s quite remarkable.”
Cdr Fogarty says he believes host countries also get a win out of such visits: “Their understanding of New Zealand’s strategic environment is improved and they gain an insight into our outlook on the region and world affairs.”