NZ Army Warrant Officer receives Legion of Merit for ‘world-stage’ representation

Warrant Officer Class 1 Stephen Rupapere, New Zealand Army, Ngāti Tūmatauenga, received the award this month from Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, Commander United States Pacific Command (USPACOM), for his role as Deputy Command Senior Enlisted Leader within the Command between 2023 and 2025. 

The award recognises exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievement by any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or a friendly foreign nation.

It is issued in degrees, with WO1 Rupapere receiving the Legion of Merit (Degree of Legionnaire) as a senior non-commissioned officer. The other degrees are Chief Commander, Commander and Officer.

WO1 Rupapere, from Ngāruawāhia, has served in the NZ Army for 36 years and continues a legacy of talented New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Warrant Officers in the Hawaii-based Headquarters. He is the fourth in the role. 

The Deputy Command Senior Enlisted Leader works as the primary proxy for the Command Senior Enlisted Leader in a Geographic Combatant Command numbering around 370,000 personnel.

WO1 Rupapere says the NZDF has secured a privileged and unique position inside the USPACOM command structure. 

“You must be ready to step in, run high-level operational briefs, and align daily tasks. You have a major role in efforts advancing regional partner development, bringing senior enlisted leaders together from over 36 nations. You manage key leader engagements, juggling strict operational oversight with high-level diplomacy.

“It shows the immense level of trust placed in an international exchange warrant officer and shows how highly NZDF military professionalism is valued on the world stage.”

It’s a big shift in mindset, going to large-scale, multi-domain theatre strategy from the moment you arrive, he said.

But professional humility was vital. 

“Successful regional security relies heavily on relationship building.

“You mentor and collaborate with diverse forces that have vastly different resource levels. Treating every partner as an equal is vital for building lasting defence relationships and alliances.”

While the scale of the US military was massive, effectiveness in a multinational theatre comes down to mutual respect and face-to-face diplomacy.

“You quickly learn that flexibility and listening to smaller partner nations are just as critical as US defence capabilities.”

The opportunities for professional development have been enormous for strategic insights, security dialogue and forging lasting networks.

“On a personal level, immersing into the local and military culture of Hawaii is an invaluable, unforgettable experience.”

He acknowledges the hard work and achievements of the three previous warrant officers, who have also received awards from the United States.

Legions of Merit have been awarded to Warrant Officer Diver Lance Graham, Royal New Zealand Navy and Warrant Officer Guy Lipsham, Royal New Zealand Air Force, while the first in the role, Warrant Officer Class 1 Murray Nelson, NZ Army, received the US Defense Meritorious Service Medal.