Northland soldier steps out of comfort zone with Army specialist role

Corporal Lyric Peters, 23, from Pukenui in the Far North, is a Logistics Specialist with 3 Combat Service Support Battalion (3 CSS Bn), Supply Platoon, based at Burnham Military Camp near Christchurch.

She’s put a lot of miles under her belt since joining the New Zealand Army five years ago, straight from Kaitaia College, progressing from being a regular ‘baggie’ (private) to corporal.

She’s tackled specialist trades such as Petroleum Operator and Mortuary Affairs, been promoted to Section Commander and was named 3 CSS Bn Junior Leader of the Year in 2025.

She was inspired to join the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) by an enlisted cousin. She attended Te Puna Mana Toa, Kaitaia College’s Services Academy, and became excited about the options available.

“I wanted to do a CSS trade because people I knew in the NZDF said it would be a good fit for me,” she said. 

“I like things to be organised, and I enjoy both hands-on work and learning and helping people. Logistics Specialists get travel and field exercise opportunities and are often part of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.” 

She described her trade as being the main supplier of all stores in the Army.

“You have stores-based specialists, involving the supply of rations, ammunition and clothing.

“With 3 CSS Bn you’re more field and support-based, involving fuel, tyre repairs, showers and laundry in the field, salvage disposal and mortuary affairs.

“Being a PET OP (Petroleum Operator) and MA Specialist (Mortuary Affairs) has also shown me how diverse our trade is.”

Career highlights so far included attending a United States Army Fatality Management Specialist Course in Virginia to learn about repatriating human remains.

She also deployed as a Petroleum Operator to Antarctica’s McMurdo Station to offload fuel and stores from ships.

“That was such an awesome experience as I got to use specialist trade skills and work in a completely different environment that few people can say they have been in.” 

As a Section Commander, she tackles a lot of instructional roles. 

“One of my favourite parts of being in the Army is watching people learn and grow. Seeing them come out of their shells and feel comfortable in the workplace is very important to me - it builds a healthy working environment.” 

As well as tackling tertiary studies, she would now like to undertake an overseas deployment.

“This will help me grow my learning in the trade in a different environment and give me a new perspective.” 

Her advice to others considering a Defence Force career was not to worry about doing hard or new things.

“Growing up in a small town, it can be difficult to seek opportunities outside your local area. You worry about not making it and moving back and wondering what people will think. 

“You just have to get out of your own head and push yourself. It’s all a mental game. You don’t have to be the strongest or the smartest – you just need to be mentally tough.”