Life in uniform: Private Leah Miles
Private (PTE) Leah Miles, 2/4 Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment is a person who enjoys a challenge and says recruit and Reserve Infantry Corps training gave her that every single day.
09 June, 2022
PTE Miles is no stranger to challenging herself, and if you are a women’s rugby follower you might well recognize the name Leah Miles from Otago Spirits Women’s Rugby Team.
PTE Miles is in her final year studying a Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology and minoring in Sports and Exercise Sciences at Otago University, and also works part-time at the university gym where a few of the women identified PTE Miles as being a good contender for joining ResF. They had also joined and loved the training, the challenges and the friendships formed.
During lockdown in 2021, PTE Miles and a fellow Spirits team member were locked down together in Dunedin and rose every morning at 0600h to train. PTE Miles confesses it was the mornings that were a struggle during her Army training.
On Corps training we were critiqued every day. This was my biggest mental challenge.
Private Leah Miles.
“Even getting out of bed at 0530h every morning after a long day was a challenge. I’d never done anything remotely like what I did on recruit training. I ended up loving it and thriving on the challenges.”
She reminds potential recruits to arrive with a mindset of being comfortable with being uncomfortable, enjoy every day and expect the unexpected. There are times when you are going to feel out of your depth but it’s all worth it in the end, she says.
“On Corps training we were critiqued every day. This was my biggest mental challenge. In the beginning, I became flustered but with repetition it built my confidence,” says PTE Miles.
She says people are now shocked by what she can accomplish in a day. Everything from organisation strategy, self-confidence, communication and tolerance towards others have all been unexpected life skills she has come away with from her short time in the Reserve Forces.
“Graduation Day was pretty special and meant a lot to many of us. I was super sad to leave all my friends. I am so grateful about what has come out of my training and for everyone who I met.
“My parents were super proud of me. They thought some of the stories sounded funny and couldn’t believe I had lived this whole different life over the summer!”
NZDF celebrates National Volunteer Week
People
Behind the scenes: Parachute Bay
People
Coaster takes ambition to Royal Pageant
People
Blenheim man serves around the world in name of Queen
People
Bay of Plenty woman follows grandfather's Royal Pageant path
People
Christchurch man honours the Queen with new Army family
People
Chief Petty Officer from Napier marches on biggest stage
People
From pram photo to Royal Pageant parade ground for Southland woman
People
Navy workhorse respects Queen’s own mahi
People
Safe hands representing NZ in front of Queen
People
Queen inspired Whanganui man's service
People
Celebrating Samoan Language Week: Ordinary Musician Elijah Taula
People
Celebrating Samoan Language Week: Chief Petty Officer Master At Arms Lino Kurene
People
If she can do it, I can do it
People
Helping others top priority for Auckland Air Force Medic
People
RNZAF career extends Tauranga woman’s family legacy
People
RNZAF helps Devonport woman keep flying career alive
People
NATO award for Army Officer's Afghanistan work
People
Sailor's input to United Nations Command
People
RNZAF 85: Aircraftman Kanapa Kerr
People
RNZAF 85: Pilot Officer Kiwi Walker
People
RNZAF 85: Flight Sergeant Kim Harrison
People
RNZAF 85: Warrant Officer Viti Flanagan
People
RNZAF 85: Sergeant Joyce McGee
People
RNZAF 85: Squadron Leader John "JV" Voice
People
RNZAF 85: Wing Commander Terry Knight
People
RNZAF 85: Flight Lieutenant Jack Hall
People
RNZAF 85: Flying Officer Arthur "Joppy" Joplin
People
Defence Adviser in Fiji
People
NZDF financial head acknowledged by accounting peers
People
Deployed to Solomon Islands
People
Welcoming 2022 in South Sudan
People
Back-to-back maintainer
People
Women in Science
People
Army Officer smashes Guinness Book of World Records kettlebell challenge
People
Air Force dream becomes a reality for Taranaki woman
People
Navy offers Whangarei teen a dream opportunity
People
Newly graduated Waikato man has eyes on the sky
People
Navy STEM programme launches Upper Hutt student into medic career
People
Joining the Air Force a family affair for Northland man
People
Wellington sailor continues family naval tradition
People
Kaitaia Sailor celebrates commissioning to Naval Officer
People
Canterbury volunteer shows care for Op Protect personnel at Christmas
People
Westport sailor embraces new career as Navy Education Officer
People
Reflecting on being WOAF
People
'Incredible journey' to top Air Force leadership role
People
Zone out with axe throwing
People
Former soldier earns wings in return to military
People
Outstanding leadership by NZ Army Officer in Afghanistan recognised
People
Air Force leadership role brings challenge and opportunity
People
Dedication and innovation praised at Chief of Defence Force Awards
People
Exemplary soldier is NZDF Person of Year
People
Managed isolation stalwart named NZDF Reservist of the Year
People
Cadet of the Year an inspiration to the next generation
People
Sailor of the Year recognised in year of challenges
People
Navy Diver recognised for developing diversity
People
Pandemic management while in US posting earns top safety award
People
Allrounder wins NZDF Civilian of the Year award
People
‘Wellness' supporter named Defence Volunteer of the Year
People
Hard line against bullying earns instructor Soldier of the Year title
People
Defence HUMINT: An Airman’s Story
People
Passion for the job recognised by Airman of the Year award
People
NZDF opens up different world of legal challenges
People
RNZAF’s longest-serving woman signs off after years of progress
People
Operation Monitor: deployed to the Republic of Korea
People
Bonded to heritage
People
Reflections during Matariki
People
Navy Reserves keep Upper Hutt man's love of the sea alive
People
Bay of Plenty woman making the most of her time in the Navy
People
Flying dream achieved with late change in career flight path
People
Cook Islands sailor proud to deliver vaccine support
People
Graduate's father inspires Air Force career
People
Mother the inspiration for Air Force career choice
People
Variety with ‘the team’ attracts former Cricketer to Navy
People
New Plymouth woman swaps hospo for hootchies and hot spots
People
Swapping the Bomb Squad for an RNZAF Squadron
People
Perseverance pays off as Tauranga man achieves RNZAF dream
People
Mother’s inspiration sets Lower Hutt man on Navy medical career
People
Hercules way finder flying in the family footsteps
People
Navy offers aviation career for Palmerston North man
People
Keep it real
People
NZDF medical officer joins Australian response to Fiji Covid surge
People
Defence Force at the heart of historic Women’s Super Rugby match
People
Riverton man embraces opportunity of Army medical career
People
Ōtaki woman embracing change for RNZAF medical career
People
RNZAF Skyhawk history-maker calls time on illustrious career
People
NZ Army promotes first female General List Officer to Brigadier
People
Inspiring Mums
People
The long wait for the Red Diamond
People
Gisborne high flier aims to make a difference in new career
People
Queenstown woman tops RNZAF recruit course
People
Career change for new RNZAF recruit
People
RNZAF offers Nelsonian a second chance at aviation engineering career
People
Taupō Army Cadets eyes the sky after groundwork
People
Invercargill-born Army Band trumpeter returns to roots
People
Chasing goals and being a mum
People
Take your moko as a friend for life
People
Taupō siblings make it four Navy generations
People
Law graduate takes the helm of a navy career
People
Commendation for former Army Sniper
People
