Army News - Issue 423 PDF, 5.66MB

armynews
courage
|
CO m m i t m e n t
|
comradeship
w w w . a r m y. m i l . n z
The Afghanistan
transition
|
integrity
I s s u e 4 2 3 | AU G US T 2 0 1 1
Change in SAS
recruitment
Pacific Army
chiefs meet
Operation
Rua
Environmental
Health Symposium
NZarmy
news
AUGUST 2011
ISSUE 423
Contents
NEWS
Afghanistan transition
02
Shooting competitions
postponed
03
Pacific Army chiefs
meet
03
Changes to SAS
recruitment
New marksman rifle
05
07
People
Hon Colonels
conference
05
Senior officers
framework
08
Jack’s days with the
Army
09
DEPLOYMENTS
Pirate searching in the
Somali Basin
Timor-Leste
Operation Rua
Tropic Twilight
11
12
16
21
TRAINING
Close Quarter Combat
13
‘Dealing with the pain
demons'
18
The Army News is published for the
Regular and Territorial Force and
civilian staff of the New Zealand Army.
Editor: Judith Martin
phone: 04-496-0227 or
DTelN: 349-7227
fax: 04-496-0290
email: [email protected]
Website: www.army.mil.nz
Printing: Bluestar, Petone.
design: Jennifer Watts,
DCG, NZDF
Editorial contributions and
letters are welcomed.
They may be sent directly to the Army News
and do not need to be forwarded through
normal command channels. Submit them to
The Editor, Army News, DCG, HQ NZDf,
Private Bag 39997, Wellington, or by email.
Deadline instructions: Army News is
published on the third Tuesday of each
month, except January. Please have all
contributions to the editor by
the first of the month.
Nothing in the Army News should be taken
as overriding any New Zealand Defence
Force regulation. Readers should refer to the
relevant service publication before acting
on any information given in this newspaper.
ISSN 1170-4411
All material is copyright, and permission to
reproduce must be sought from the editor.
Cover:
New Zealand soldiers train
together for urban security
missions.
The first transition ceremony to transfer provincial-level security
and responsibility back to Afghanistan control took place in Bamiyan
recently.
Responsibility for all aspects of Afghanistan’s Government services will
now begin to pass to its citizens. Responsibility for national security will
move from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GoIRA). The
final assumption of full responsibility is likely to be in late 2014.
The New Zealand Defence Force has played a key role in the Bamiyan
Province since 2003. In that year the Defence Force began leading
the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and will continue to play a
significant leadership role until the Afghanis assume final control.
To support the transition process, the New Zealand Government has
committed the services of New Zealanders through to 2014 to ensure
a smooth and measured handover of responsibility. This will include
training the Afghan National Police to take over the role currently
performed by NZDF military patrols.
The Director of the Transition Coordination Commission Dr Ashraf
Ghani Ahmadzai led the recent transition ceremony which was attended
by key Government ministers from Kabul, Bamiyan Governor Dr Habiba
Sarabi, Provincial Government officials, the New Zealand Ambassador
Justin Fepule’ai and his counterparts from USA and Japan, as well as
senior representatives from ISAF and aid agencies.
CRIB 18 Senior Military Adviser Lieutenant Colonel Hugh McAslan said
security for the ceremony was lead by the Afghan National Police (ANP)
with support from the NZPRT. “The NZPRT and the ANP conducted a joint
planning activity prior to the ceremony. The efforts of the ANP on the
day provided a clear demonstration that they are capable of meeting the
majority of the types of security threats that might be encountered in the
province. They were also very satisfied with their performance after the
event, and have gained considerable confidence in their ability to be
able to plan and implement effective security measures.”
Since the ceremony, the NZPRT has focused heavily on a deliberate
Information Operations (IO) campaign throughout the province to inform
the local population about the transition process.
“There was some anxiety among the local population that transition
equated to the NZPRT's imminent departure from the province. We have
had to work very hard over the past three weeks reassuring people
that we will be remaining in Bamiyan for some time yet, and that our
presence in partnership with the Provincial Government and security
apparatus is key to ensuring the process is successful, and we develop
the necessary capacity in key areas so the effects of the process are
irreversible. “
The Information Operations has involved a multi-faceted approach,
including key leader engagements through meetings at the provincial,
district and village level, the use of a proactive leaflet campaign that
all elements of the PRT distribute throughout the province, the use of
local radio, and social media through the NZPRT's recently established
Facebook site.
LTCOL McAslan: "In the past week, the efforts of the IO campaign have
started to deliver, and it’s evident that local officials have embraced
the key tenets of transition and are spreading the key messages very
effectively through their own communication channels. This has been
very pleasing and encouraging for those members of the PRT who are
working in the IO space. We seem to have established the necessary
momentum among the local population who also appear much more
confident of the process given the PRT is not departing in the immediate
future.
LTCOL McAslan said as the process moved on the PRT would focus on
key areas in the security, development and governance spaces in order
to develop the necessary capacity among the Afghan agencies . This is
to ensure they have the necessary capabilities to successfully assume
full responsibility in all districts in the province.
“There is still a lot of work to do, but we have a good plan that has
been developed collaboratively with the Afghans and endorsed by both
Dr Ghani and ISAF. We have reached this point through the hard work
and efforts of 17 previous CRIB rotations, the efforts of our coalition
partners who also are part of the PRT, and the excellent relationships
based on mutual respect that have been established between the
NZPRT and people of Bamiyan over the past nine years. Along with our
Afghan partners, we are at the forefront of transition and have a great
opportunity to demonstrate that this process can work and the Afghans
can have the peace and prosperity they so desire.”
armynews03
COL Cockburn honoured by Korea
The outgoing New Zealand Defence Attache to the Republic
of Korea, Colonel Harry Cockburn was presented with the
Korean Veteran's Association Meritorious Service Medal by the
Chairman of the Korean Veteran's Association (KVA), General
(retired) Park, Se-Hwan in July.
In a ceremony Gen Park presented the medal on behalf of
all members of the KVA, in recognition of COL Cockburn's
outstanding contribution in supporting the association and
promoting mutual relations between the two countries.
COL Cockburn said he was humbled by the presentation,
noting that supporting the Korean War Veteran's Revisit
Programme was one of the most rewarding aspects of his
appointment as Defence Attache.
He was constantly moved and humbled by the generosity
and friendship extended to the New Zealand veterans by not
only the KVA but all Koreans. Gen Park acknowledged this,
stressing the importance the RoK places on both honouring
and remembering those who fought in the defence and
foundation of their country. COL Cockburn is only the second
Defence Attache to have received such an award.
The period of COL Cockburn’s tour as Defence Attache has
been particularly busy with several commemoration visits,
including the 60th Anniversary of the beginning of the Korean
War, the landing at Incheon, and the Battle of Kapyong in April
this year. Further, he has assisted where ever possible with
the visits of 'Grandchildren of Veterans', another 'friendship
programme' supported by the government of the Republic of
Korea.
The chairman of the Korean Veteran’s
Association General (Rtd)Park se-Hwan presents
Colonel Cockburn with his citation (left) and his
medal (right).
Shooting competitions
postponed while new
training plan developed
The Freyberg and Queen's Medal shooting competitions have
been postponed until next year while a new plan to improve
shooting standards within the Army is developed.
Land Component Commander Brigadier Mark Wheeler says
reinvigorating core skills is critical to the Army’s operational
capability.
“Small arms skills are an essential building block from
which we develop operational capability and must not be
compromised. In consultation with commanders and our
shooting experts I am developing a clear plan to improve
shooting standards to ensure we are led, trained and
equipped to win. I am very conscious of the good work and
training throughout the wider Army, however I am also mindful
of significant changes occurring as we transition to Army 2015
and beyond.
“This is the key reason why after consultation with key
commanders, I have decided to postpone the Freyberg and
Queen's Medal shooting competitions. This decision will
create an opportunity for the sponsors of these competitions
to enhance them prior to 2012 and for units and soldiers to
apply their marksmanship skills, such as the introduction of
night matches.
“Additionally there are significant new technology and
weapon systems being introduced and integrated into the NZ
Army both in New Zealand and on operations. It is important
that we continually review equipment capabilities and
opportunities that will allow us to train smarter, while ensuring
that our core and important marksmanship skills remain a key
focus throughout.
“The Commandant Land Operating Training Centre (LOTC)
will be tasked with competition redesign and execution. In
addition to the Freyberg Trophy competition, the redesign
will focus on a Land Component Commander’s Trophy for
non RNZIR units and a Queen's Medal competition that could
also facilitate Navy and Air Force awarding their own Queen's
Medals, if they want to,” says BRIG Wheeler.
“I know the COMDT LOTC will call on experts from the wider
Army when designing the new competition formats. This will
ensure operationally focused and successful Freyberg and
Queen's Medal competitions that are synchronised into the
new Army two- year training cycle of 2012 and beyond.”
BRIG Wheeler says he congratulates the New Zealand Army
Combat Shooting Team (NZACST) on their team performance
during the Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting and also
wishes all the very best to the two sniper detachments
deploying to the Canadian International Sniper Concentration
in September.
Train as you will fight…and do it now
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
By Chief of Army, Major General Tim Keating
In a number of recent engagements around the Army
I have often been asked, why is it that only Special
Operations elements of the Army are involved in ‘combat
operations’? The answer is they are not the only ones
engaged in ‘combat’; moreover it becomes a dangerous
belief if this view becomes an influential factor in our
training culture.
Elements of our Army, outside Special Operations
Forces, are currently deployed in theatres where there
are determined belligerent forces whose deliberate aim
is to impose harm on our people while they conduct their
peace and security missions. This is the classic ‘three
block war’ environment and we cannot just concentrate
our training on selected blocks, especially those at the
lower threat threshold.
It is far too late to develop a combat culture on predeployment training , or after the time when our soldiers
hear the first crack and thump over their heads when
deployed. The time to develop a combat culture is now,
in all we do in training, in all the many practices we adopt
in peacetime from initial induction training for our new
soldiers through to pre deployment training. Combat has
a way of surprising us, even when you least expect it on
peacekeeping operations. To prepare tomorrow is too late.
I believe the combat culture term is well used, but not
always well understood, or perhaps some choose not to
grasp its full meaning and connotations because we have
to make some hard choices about our daily lives and our
commands. And because combat is tough and conducted
by tough people and those who win have trained to
be tough and disciplined. There is no easy solution to
training, nor is there an abundance of resources that will
provide the answer to all our training challenges. It is the
classic tactical battlefield challenge; dangerous mission,
limited resources to achieve it, and therefore smart
thinking is required by commanders who lead training
activities. There are, however, many examples of this in
our Army, such as CO 3 Logistics Regiment’s letter to his
Unit where he emphasises the requirement to train for
Combat Logistics Patrols.
The commanders who are responsible for overseeing
our training need no reminder of their overriding duty
above all else to continue to prepare our people for the
modern operational environment, where the principal
peace mission is blurred by those elements who would
do us and those we aim to protect harm. Commanders
must prepare our people so they have every opportunity
for mission success and survival when they are engaged in
combat, especially when it is least expected.
It is an inexcusable dereliction of duty if we leaders fail
in this area. Our job, what we are paid to do, is not just
what we do in our garrison environments, as that only
enables us to deploy on operations. Our training plans
must enable us to achieve our mission: to provide force
elements to win on operations, and this is why we have a
plan to Operationalise the Army.
Civilianisation Update
The Army is supporting those personnel who were impacted by the first stage
of the civilianisation process to help manage their transition from uniformed
service. CDF has also announced that Stage 2 of the Civilianisation Project is
now underway.
Between now and December, the following trades and branches that were not
considered as part of the first stage are being reviewed. These are:
•
Air Force Technical Trades
•
Specialists – for Army this includes all Specialist officers (less
Chaplains who have already been reviewed), dental assistants and
dental hygienists.
•
Military Bands
•
Army PTIs, Army Administrators and Army Fire-fighters.
During the review phase, we will determine the numbers required in uniform
to meet any operational requirements, and if it would be cost effective to have
Regular Force, Civilians or Reserve Force personnel doing these roles, without
degrading our operational capability. Any follow-up action will be completed
by July 2012.
There is no intention to revisit the branches and trades covered in the first
stage of civilianisation.
04armynews
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
L NEW Z
L A N D MI
L
Y PO
LI
For any non emergency enquiries please contact your nearest
service police station.
MILITARY POLICE | Protecting NZ
Army’s values, people, resources
and reputation
EA
AR
Northland, Manawatu, Taranaki & Napier Press 2
South Island Press 3
Central Plateau Press 4
Lower North Island Press 5
YA
0800 50 11 22
24 Hour Emergency Contact
Davenport. Naval Police 09 445 5778
Whenuapai. Force Protection 09 417 7016
Waiuoru. Military Police 06 387 5599
Ohakea. Force Protection 021 342 744
Linton. Military Police 06 351 9337
Trentham. Military Police 04 527 5101
Woodburne. Force Protection 021 999 258
Burnham. Military Police 03 363 0337
IT
From 7 August
the Alcohol
Limit for
Drivers under
20 is ZERO
What does this mean to YOU?
After the 07 Aug 2011 if you are under 20 and in control of a
motor vehicle on a road with a breath or blood alcohol level
containing any amount, no matter how small, you will receive
an infringement notice for $200 and 50 demerit points.
Brig Charlie
RO
The other day I was looking for a synonym for ‘training’.
Wouldn’t you know it the damned Microsoft Office thesaurus
came up with ‘no suggestions’ so I went to the good old
Concise Oxford dictionary (that’s if you can call an object
with 1672 pages “concise”). On page 1479 of that esteemed
volume, training is defined as “the act or process of learning a
Take care, be safe and be good to one another.
E
A MONTHLY COMMENT FROM DEPUTY CHIEF OF ARMY
BRIGADIER CHARLIE LOTT
routine. As we observe situations changing and evolving on
the battlefield we need to be adaptive enough to change our
training to allow our body’s to recognise ever changing threat
patterns. Then through repeated exposure to reactions so
that they become everyday reactions, we allow our bodys to
best mitigate fight or flight responses. Some might call these
tactics techniques and procedures (TTPs) funny old thing!
There is another side to this. In developing and imparting
our training to provoke a less than panic stricken fight/flight/
freeze reaction, we should be aiming to make sure that when
faced with unfamiliar or unexpected circumstances – you
know, the ones that get the pulse racing and the word ‘bugger’
to be uttered, our leaders at all levels can quickly outthink
the unexpected problem. Being exposed to unique and
challenging training opportunities is a good way to encourage
this because it accepts and encourages people to ‘have a go’.
A wise Warrant Officer said to me a way back in my career “sir
you should do one thing each day that scares the hell outta
you”. Wouldn’t it be primo if our “training” was that one thing?
KO TAT O
U
C
Say Again, Over
skill, discipline etc”. Fine. But hold on a minute, our training
does far more than that…it is far more than an act or a process.
Our training is a culture, a way of life surely? Our training is
fundamental to mission success... for survival it is our core
business isn’t it?
I guess I got to thinking that the ‘why’ we train really sets up
the ‘how we train’. By this I mean if we don’t know why we
are training then we sure as hell can’t know how we should go
about it. So why do we train? Our CA put it bluntly;- we train
so as to react instinctively when we are exposed to ‘fight or
flight’ situations – we’ve all been there…the heart rate soars,
we get pale and we flush, the mouth goes dry, blood vessels
dilate and adrenaline is released and the body prepares to
fight it out or to leg it outta there.
I started looking around at this fight or flight concept and
discovered that if we expose the body to situations that invoke
flight or fight reactions, initially we see fight or flight or freeze
– the latter not being ideal in a fire-fight in downtown Badland
(or even rural or mountainous Badland for that matter). But
– if we keep exposing the body to situations that invoke fight
or flight and we do it often enough and for long enough we
can actually make the body slow down and eventually stop
reacting to situations that scare the living daylights out of us.
I hear some of you thinking ‘what is your point DCA?’ My
point is simply this – our training is or should be designed
and delivered to stimulate our collective bodys into slowing
down or stopping the fight or flight syndrome and certainly
preventing the freeze syndrome. We should be training
repetitively, convincingly and challengingly so that we as
individuals and then as small groups react to situations that
would cause fight or flight in others but to us it just seems
TA U I R A
HEI
Building closer relationships with our Pacific
Army cohorts
Security challenges in the Pacific in the 21st century
security were discussed at the recent 7th Pacific Army Chiefs
Conference in Singapore.
The Chief of Army, Major General Tim Keating attended the
conference which attracted military chiefs from 24 nations,
including countries such as China, Nepal, Papua New Guinea,
Timor -Leste, Australia, Canada and Brunei.
MAJGEN Keating spoke alongside a Singaporean and Peoples
Liberation Army (China) speaker to address the topic of 21st
century security challenges. He emphasised that some of
what are nowadays termed 'non-traditional' threats may be
considered traditional, given that we have been confronting
them for the last few decades. He suggested instead that they
be termed 'contemporary causes of conflict'. He listed such
threats as mass migration, increased numbers of youth in the
region, and climate change as threats to security which would
likely warrant at least a partial military solution.
During the conference he met one-on-one with 12 other
Army chiefs and discussed such topics as how we operate
and train together, how the New Zealand Army can improve its
interaction with other nations, either individually or in groups
(such as the Five Power Defence Arrangement countries) and
spoke about the value of having students, instructors and
exchange opportunities within the region.
"The multilateral sessions were very important and I think
MAGJEN Keating tries out a Singaporean SAR41 rifle with various design upgrades. He
was also shown several other Singaporean Armed Forces systems from webbing and bodyarmour to UAVs and robotic devices.
we gained great benefit from them. The subjects that we
discussed are relevant and pertinent. Subjects aside, what is
of equal importance is the dialogue and relationship building
amongst the service chiefs," said MAJGEN Keating.
Lieutenant General Arturo Ortiz, Commanding General,
Philippine Army shared his sentiments. "The session was very
encouraging. It promoted cooperation and friendships among
all the countries. We have forged a common understanding
and closer relationship."
It is expected that the chiefs who attended the conference
will continue to engage with countries within the region
for mutual benefits. Also, relationships established at the
conference will be especially important over the coming years
throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
armynews05
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
A CHANGE TO THE WAY WE RECRUIT IN THE SAS
“Why not? I’ll give it a go…”
By Judith Martin
Trent*, 32 and a North Island compliance officer, had never
given joining the New Zealand SAS a second thought.
Sure, he was fit – super fit – and a former police officer,
but when he logged on to the Army recruiting website he
was only interested in becoming a Territorial Force (TF)
soldier.
“I applied online (for the TF) and sat the initial test. The
recruiter and I talked about my background, and he asked
me if I had thought of joining the Regular Force. I hadn’t
because it meant a bit of a pay drop from my civilian job. He
called me back and asked if I had considered the SAS.
“I kind of thought, ‘wow’ and then I thought ‘why not, I’ll
give it a go.’”
His background and fitness stood him in good stead for
the rigorous selection process. But it was, he discovered,
still very hard.
Brought up on a farm, Trent has been a semi-professional
endurance athlete for several years. He has been involved
in adventure racing and multi-sports, racing for up to five to
six days at a time. A keen biker and kayaker, he was used
to competing in events having had little sleep and minimal
food. He was not a new-comer to stress and pushing his
body to the limits, but, he later discovered, there were
definite challenges ahead of him.
“It (the three week selection) was a lot harder than I was
expecting. I knew I was very fit with my endurance work, and
I thought I was well-prepared, but...”
It wasn’t one particular aspect of the selection process
that proved a hurdle. “It was just an accumulation of it all. I
was used to carrying a pack, but on selection I had to carry a
35kg pack.”
To prepare himself he cycled, ran and did pack marches
through hill country in the central North Island. He also did
lots of push-ups and pull-ups.
Less than excellent navigation skills often let aspiring SAS
candidates down, as, exhausted and hungry they make their
way through dense forests and farmland. That was not the
case for Trent, who with years of orienteering and endurance
races behind him, is a proficient map reader.
“But we were not allowed on the tracks on the map which
was really hard. I managed though.”
Trent says he is the sort of person who, once he sets his
mind to a task, does everything he can to get there.
Recruiters had told him his fellow candidates might be a
bit “stand-offish” working alongside a civilian.
“That wasn’t the case though – they were great, and
helpful.”
He will now complete his basic soldier training, and will
begin the next SAS training cycle which starts in February
2012.
How did he feel when the1 SAS GP Commanding Officer
called him in and told him he had been accepted for further
training?
“It took a while to sink in actually— I was so tired. I kind
of just thought the selection process would be a good
challenge and that was that. Initially I think I just said
‘thank-you’. But later I thought ‘this is pretty damn exciting!’
I’m looking forward to getting into it.”
* not his real name
One was a supermarket trolley pusher, and the
other just wanted to join the Territorial Force. Now,
they are both well on the way to becoming fully
fledged members of 1 NZ SAS Group.
The NZ Defence Force is changing one of the ways it
recruits people for the NZSAS, meaning motivated and
talented people will be able to join the NZSAS directly.
“Generally, people typically spend a number of years
in the NZDF before going through the NZSAS selection
process,” says Director of Army Recruiting, Major Helen
Horn.
“The new early specialisation we are introducing
potentially shortens the process because recruits can
signal their interest right at the start when they fill in their
application form.”
Applicants will still have to join the NZ Army and
indicate what trades they’re interested in, for example,
engineering or electronics, but now they can also select a
specialisation in the NZSAS as an option.
“We then choose candidates who might fit a role within
the NZSAS and invite them to a presentation, and if
successful they can decide to train for the NZSAS,” says
Major Horn.
“This is very rigorous training and if they decide not to
keep going, they will pursue the other trade options they
identified in their original application and they’ll continue
to go through Army training.”
If the candidates last out the NZSAS selection, they
Digging deep to make it through
From supermarket trolley pusher, to SAS soldier. But it wasn’t
all as easy as it sounds.
Steve, 20, was brought up in rural north Auckland, and grew
up listening to his father’s Army friends talk about life in the
SAS.
“A lot of my dad’s mates were in the Army and when we went
hunting they’d talk about what they did, and how the SAS was
the top of the top of soldiering. That gave me a goal to strive
for. I probably decided I wanted to be in the SAS when I was
about 13.”
After leaving school he attended Auckland University,
studying anthropology and politics. He pushed trolleys in
the local supermarket to help pay the bills. “I wasn’t ready to
leave Auckland at that stage. I decided I’d join the Territorial
Force while I studied, and then maybe go for selection when I
finished. I applied for TF, and went in and did my RFL (fitness
test). I got quite good timings and my recruiter asked me what
my goals were. I told him I had an interest in the SAS but not
now, much further down the track.
“He told me they had started recruiting civilians and asked
if I was interested. Initially I thought it was a bit suspect and
I only wanted to do it the traditional way (by joining the Army
for several years and then trying for selection). Eventually I was
convinced it was a good idea, and after visiting the camp in
Papakura I was certain.”
For training Steve went on runs, and did lots of push-ups and
would then leave and attend Army Basic training before
rejoining the NZSAS.
“Those already serving in the NZ Defence Force can
continue to apply for selection into the NZSAS, just as they
do now,” says Major Horn, “but this early specialisation
potentially gives us a wider range of people and
backgrounds to choose from.”
The NZSAS is one of the New Zealand Defence Force’s
highest performing Units and is benchmarked against
other premier special forces units operating within
defence forces around the world.
“This high level of achievement will be strengthened
through this initiative and there is no intention that the
NZSAS will be lowering its very high entry standards.
“This initiative is about allowing our recruiters to guide
those people with the right talent into the right job,” says
Major Horn.
Those who choose to apply for NZSAS early
specialisation will have contact with the new Defence
Careers organisation which is supported by a modern,
efficient Prospect and Candidate Management System.
This system will enable them to have greater visibility
of their progress as their application moves through the
system.
sit-ups. “I’d never set foot in a gym before selection— I just
did my own training. For me, it was more about training and
developing myself mentally. For example, no matter how
tired I am I will always go for my run. I’m stubborn and very
determined, and that helped a bit.”
Determination aside however, he still found he had to dig
deep to ensure he did not give up. “We were given a training
schedule, and for me it was always a matter of completing
that and then taking it one step more. Every time you have
to take yourself to the edge and then take one step further.”
The three-week selection course was as hard as he
thought it would be.
The first day, and the Von Tempsky phase, or carrying
jerry cans through dense mangrove swamps, were the most
challenging.
“It’s just such a mental block. The Von Tempsky phase is
built up so much and when you get to it you think ‘will it
ever end?’ I was in the swamp for 10 minutes and I started
to think it was impossible. It was a huge mental wall, and
your mind kind of attacks you. Day one was the same. You
keep thinking, ‘what if I’m not good enough?’ Then you get
to the end of the day and it doesn’t seem so bad.”
Steve is now doing his basic soldier training, and will
begin the SAS training cycle in February 2012.
When the 1 NZ SAS Group Commanding Officer told him he
had been accepted for further training, it didn’t sink it for a
few days. “I was just wasted, just exhausted when he told
me. Now I’m just really looking forward to getting there.”
06armynews
Major Dave Thorsen demonstrates the combat shotgun to
Colonel Barry Dreyer
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
Colonel Jeff Bright and Staff Sergeant Eric Karena in the
Mercedes heavy equipment transporter
HONORARY COLONELS SEE
TODAY’S ARMY IN ACTION
Honorary Colonels, Colonel Commandants and
Regimental Colonels from throughout New Zealand met at
Trentham Camp for their biennial conference recently.
They were welcomed by the Chief of Army, Major
General Tim Keating, before being given an operations
brief by Joint Forces New Zealand.
The Army’s Head of Strategy Management, Colonel
John Boswell spoke to the conference about the Army’s
strategic environment, and Lieutenant Colonel James Kaio
spoke about Army 2015.
Capability within the Army attracted a lot of interest
from the conference attendees, and they were briefed on
aspects of Army capability by COL Darryl Tracy, and LTCOL
Steve Piecy, before spending a couple of hours looking
at the Army’s latest new equipment, and equipment
Capability Branch is trialling.
Colonel (Rtd) David Grant, Colonel Commandant of the
Royal NZ Armoured Corps, said the information imparted
at the conference was useful, and helped the honorary
colonels understand where the Army was going..He said
he enjoyed the conference, particularly the capability
display, and it was good to meet up with old friends.
Major Jeff Howe explains the long range acoustic device
to COL Peter Grant
COL Martin Devlin sits in an NZLAV for a chat with Captain
Mark Hutchison.
Major Tony Robinson and COL Dreyer discuss aspects of
the 119 Light Gun.
Lieutenant Colonel Mike Nicholas peers through a
borescope held by Major Howe.
Warrant Officer Class Two Nigel McQuinlan shows the
Army’s vehicle checkpoint kits and remote aerial lighting
system to COL Dave Grant.
armynews07
BREAKING
NEW GROUND:
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
WAR COLLEGE GRADUATE
BECOMES FIRST NEW ZEALAND
CHIEF OF STAFF FOR THE ABCA
ARMIES’ PROGRAM
CAPABILITY UPDATE - RIFLE 7.62MM
DESIGNATED MARKSMAN RIFLE (DMW)
For the first time since its inception a New Zealander has
been appointed Chief of Staff of the American, British,
Canadian, Australian and New Zealand (ABCA) Armies’
Programme. Speaking from the ABCA Programme Office
in Washington D.C., Colonel David Hingston said he was
‘honoured and very privileged’ to be appointed as the first
New Zealand Chief of Staff for the ABCA Armies’ Programme
and is looking forward to working with the ABCA partners to
further develop coalition interoperability. COL Hingston’s
appointment reflects New Zealand’s full membership status of
the ABCA Armies’ Programme formalized in 2006.
COL Hingston leads a multinational programme office with
two personnel from each of the other ABCA countries and
another New Zealander, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Shaw.
The ABCA programme mission to optimize ABCA Armies’
interoperability in order to deliver success on coalition
operations has direct benefits for New Zealand Defence Force
personnel on operations. Interoperability enables New Zealand
soldiers to work effectively with coalition and security partners
on operations such as those conducted in Afghanistan and in
the Pacific region.
Established by the US, UK and Canada after WWII, the ABCA
Programme has been active for over 60 years. It is made up
of a network of approximately 200 participants across the
five Armies, the USMC and the Royal Marines organised into
Capability Groups (Command, Act, Sense, Shield and Sustain)
and Support Groups (Futures, Science & Technology and
Exercises & Experimentation). The groups report to a one-star/
Colonel Board of National Directors responsible for Programme
oversight, who in turn are responsible to the ABCA Executive
Council comprising the Deputy or Vice Chiefs of member
Armies’ (DCAs).
The DCAs own the programme and provide strategic guidance
and direction. The programme addresses current tactical
•
•
•
•
•
•
and operational interoperability issues while balancing this
with identifying and preparing for future interoperability
requirements. The current strategic plan for the ABCA
programme is to focus upon a coalition’s ability to transition
from military-led security operations to having the host
nation meet its own governance and security requirements
and effective interoperability within a Combined Joint Task
Force Headquarters. New Zealand’s recent experience in
transitioning to host nation provincial governance in Bamiyan
will provide insights and be further informed by ABCA work.
The immediate focus for COL Hingston was the recently
conducted ABCA Armies’ Activity ALLIED AURORAS which
sought to link warfighting command and control simulation
systems in each of the five nations by a distributive network.
The simulation network effectively created a globally
distributed synthetic environment, allowing New Zealand
Army contingents to realistically train with other ABCA Armies’
before they leave New Zealand. COL Hingston’s background
in operations, simulation, training, doctrine, future concepts
and interoperability programmes provides a good skill set
for his new appointment. Prior to taking up the appointment
he graduated from the United States National Defense
University’s, Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) war
college. He graduated as a Distinguished Graduate, achieving
a perfect academic grade point average in every subject,
placing him in the top percentile of over 330 senior military,
Department of Defense and Industry students.
The Defence Force has bought a number of 7.62mm
DMW to support current operations, and the weapons
will brought into operational use this month.
The Marksman Rifle is a 7.62mm gas operated,
magazine fed precision weapon fitted with a vari - power
day optic, a close quarter emergency sight, and can
be fitted with the current NZDF In-line Weapon Sights
(Night Sights), that fires in semi or automatic modes.
The Marksman rifle was purchased as a specific operational requirement leveraging off the NZDF In-Service
Weapons Replacement / Upgrade Programme. The lessons learnt from the operational employment of this
weapon will be used to support the acquisition and implementation of the full DMW capability within the NZDF.
The weapon comes complete with
Variable power day sight for ease of target
engagement.
Rapid Transition Sight Iron sight for
emergency / back up.
Folding Down-Grip
Adjustable Bipod
Muzzle brake to reduce recoil and jump in
weapon.
Sound suppressor
•
•
It can
neutralise and suppress targets at ranges
that exceed the currently fielded small arms
capability, complementing the enhanced
capability provided by the turret mounted GPMG
Contribute significantly to the accuracy and
quality of range finding, target indication and
surveillance information to commanders.
Deployed in the patrol or section, it will provide
additional capability and support in
• battlefield surveillance
• precision day and night target engagement.
08armynews
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
LTCOL
YEAR 1
YEAR 2
YEAR 3
APPOINTMENT 1
A NEW
CAREER
MANAGEMENT
FRAMEWORK
FOR ARMY’S
SENIOR
OFFICERS
The 2009 Army Promotion Board round identified the
need for a framework to improve the development and
management of the NZ Army’s senior officers. It is intended
that this framework will ensure that Army’s officers have
the best possible chance to excel and compete for senior
positions within the NZDF while at the same time enhancing
the quality of the Army’s Officer Corps. The aim is for to clearly
articulate the career pathways upon which officers can expect
to be managed together with the necessary systems and
objectives of career management to enable the Senior Career
Management Board process to guide an officer’s development
and employment. While the framework was to focus on
LTCOL - MAJ GEN, its methods will be able to be used in the
development and management of high potential officers in
the rank of MAJ in preparation for their inclusion under the
framework in the future.
The Military Secretary, Lieutenant Colonel Evan Williams,
conducted research into similar models used by the
Australian, British and Canadian Senior Officers and
developed the Senior Officer Career Management Framework
with the guidance and endorsement of the Senior Career
Management Board members. This framework was signed this
month by Chief of Army, Major General Tim Keating and is now
available on the MS Branch Intranet Website. It has also been
sent to all Regular Force lieutenant colonels and above.
The framework intends to provide Army with a pool of officers
who can compete for senior Army and NZDF appointments
as they become available. It can be used as a mirror to
reflect current performance and a lens through which to view
future potential and employment. It relies on long range
forecasting of the positions, identifying potential officers
with the necessary skills and then preparing them through
postings and development. As such, the framework should
be used to view an officer’s future service and potential
against competencies for both the next rank and the rank
after next with the aim to manage officers into the rank after
next through the next rank. Above all, the framework is
to be based on sound values, effective leadership and the
obtainment and achievement of results, particularly those
deliverables and outputs linked directly to obtaining strategic
objectives. The key tenets of the framework against which
officers will be held are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Leadership,
Management,
Continuous Improvement,
Visionary Leadership,
Innovation, and
Sound, balanced ‘soft and hard’ inter-personal and
relationship / networking skills.
The Senior Officer Career Management Framework
Model (See attached Diagram) is designed to improve the
management of the senior officer Corps of the Army. It is
aimed at balancing the management, development and
employment of senior officers across their personal needs
and those of the Army and the NZDF. It relies on an effective
performance management reporting and feedback system
where officers’ strengths and areas of development will
drive their future professional and personal development
YEAR 4
YEAR 5
YEAR 6
YEAR 7
APPOINTMENT 2
YEAR 8
YEAR 9 +
APPT BY
APPT
APPOINTMENT 3/4
AS REQ
(CAT B)
GENERIC
STAFF
COMD CLR
STAFF
UNIT COMD
OP / STAFF
AS REQ
(CAT B)
STAFF
STAFF
REP / OP
STAFF
AS REQ
(CAT B)
DEV
COMD / REP / OP / STAFF
ALF, EMP
ISL, LDC, CERNO,
TRANSITION WINDOW
SCMB
CLR / EXT / PROM WINDOW
TRANSITION
COL
YEAR 1
YEAR 2
APPOINTMENT 1
YEAR 3
YEAR 4
YEAR 5
YEAR 6
YEAR 7
APPOINTMENT 2
YEAR 8
YEAR 9 +
APPT BY
APPT
APPOINTMENT 3/4
GENERIC
STAFF
COMD CLR
STAFF
COMD
OP / STAFF
AS REQ
STAFF
STAFF
REP / OP
STAFF
AS REQ
ALF
CDSS / ICAF / RCDS / ISL / LDC /
CERNO
DEV
COMD / STAFF / REP / OP
TRANSITION WINDOW
SCMB / SAB
CLR / EXT / PROM WINDOW
TRANSITION
BRIG
AS REQ
YEAR 1
YEAR 2
YEAR 3
YEAR 4
YEAR 5
YEAR 6
APPOINTMENT 1
APPOINTMENT 2
APPOINTMENT 3/4
NZDF STAFF
AC POSN
DCA / LCC
REP / STAFF
ARMY STAFF
DCA / LCC
AC POSN
REP / STAFF
ALF
CDSS / ICAF / RCDS / ISL /
LDC / CERNO
DEV
SAB
YEAR 7
MONTERAY / DIRECTORS / CERNO
PROM WINDOW
TRANSITION
GEN
GENERIC
YEAR 1
YEAR 2
YEAR 3
YEAR 4
YEAR 5
CA, VCDF , COMJFNZ
and employment. It will also focus attention on an officer’s
proficiency in specific appointments against clear goals,
objectives and deliverables. This will complement competency
based assessments. Effective reporting will allow the Career
Management process to develop and allocate clearly defined
career development opportunities on the career pathway.
This will be used to develop robust posting options for senior
officers.
By managing senior officers on these pathways, the
processes governing promotions, extensions to service and
engagement lengths will be refined and more robust. It will
result in improved planning, development and selection of
high performing officers while at the same time allowing the
Career Management process to better manage the release and
transition of senior officers. The overall intent is to ensure that
Army’s senior officers have the potential to fill a wide range
of senior officer appointments and have the best chance of
reaching the highest levels of the NZDF. This will be achieved
through clearly defined pathways that correlate with the
experience gained through postings and knowledge- based
development.
The 2010 and 2011 Career Management Boards tested the
framework and its model and the feedback was used by LTCOL
Williams to refine the framework. Now that the framework
has been implemented, MAJGEN Keating intends it to form
the basis of career management and reporting for all cleared
MAJ and above for the 2011 – 2012 Reporting and Career
Management Board Process.
It is envisaged the framework will be adapted in 2012 to
meet the needs of the Reserve Force Senior Officers. It will be
managed within the overall NZDF context and environment and
will be offered as a possible ‘pilot’ as part of the NZDF Career
and Performance Management Project.
The e-copy of the Framework is available on the MS
Intranet Website at:
http://org/l-ags/HR/MS%20Branch%20General/
Corps%20Career%20Progression%20Models/RF%20
Senior%20Officer%20Career%20Management%20
Framework.tif
armypeople09
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
Jack, with his dad Bryan (top) and friend Caleb (centre)
experiences a day in the Army.
JACK’S ART WINS HIM AN
“AWESOME” DAY WITH THE ARMY
Gisborne youngster Jack Notting had the time of his life
recently when he spent a day with the Army at Linton.
Jack, 12, won the Operation Anzac Spirit art competition,
and chose a day with the Army as his prize. The
competition invited Year seven and eight students to
submit posters showing what Anzac Day meant to them.
Accompanied by his friend Caleb Jones-King, and his
dad Bryan, Jack was treated to a ride in a light armoured
vehicle when he arrived at the camp. The trio was
chaperoned by Warrant Officer Class One Bill O’Brien, who
issued the two boys with special sized uniforms to wear
for the day.
The Commander, 2 Land Force Group, Colonel Howie
Duffy welcomed the visitors to the camp, as did the
Formation Sergeant Major WO1 Rob McLean. They were
presented with Army caps and identification tags, before
being shown a weapons demonstration, and visiting 1
RNZIR’s history room.
Next it was a light armoured vehicle ride for the boys
and Brian Notting, which included passing through the
camp’s demolition range.
After morning tea they visited Linton’s Simulation
Centre, and viewed 16 Field Regiment’s 105mm Light Gun.
After lunch they called in on 1 NZ Signals Regiment where
they took part in activities relating to field craft. At the
camp Fire Station they watched motor vehicle extrication,
and saw how thermal imaging cameras are used.
Later in the afternoon the boys joined engineers from
2 Engineer Regiment and visited the aerial ropeway
construction, before being taken for a ride in the Zodiac/
Kevlar Assault Boat.
Jack, who says he now wants to join the Army when he is
old enough, says he enjoyed every part of the whole day.
“It was awesome – all the different guns, the grenades,
the claymores, the LAV ride. I found the whole experience
really great.”
10armydeployments
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
OPERATIONAL
DEPLOYMENTS
Op Name
Appointment
Rank
Rotation
Afghanistan
TG Crib
S1
S2
AS2
2IC / OPSO
S3
A/S3
S4
AS5 Ops / Brig LO
S5
S6
S9
Padre
Engr Offr
Engr Project Manager
EOD Team Leader
LSO
Patrol 1 Comd
Patrol 2 Comd
Patrol 3 Comd
WO - CAPT (E)
CAPT/MAJ
LT/CAPT
MAJ
LT/CAPT
SSGT/LT
MAJ
MAJ
MAJ (E)
CAPT (E)
SSGT - CAPT (E)
Chap (E)
CAPT (E)
WO - MAJ (E)
SGT - CAPT (E)
CAPT - MAJ (E)
LT/SGT
LT/SGT
LT/SGT
April & October
April & October
April & October
April & October
April & October
April & October
April & October
April & October
April & October
April & October
April & October
April & October
April & October
April & October
April & October
April & October
April & October
April & October
April & October
TG Kea
GDPSU Mentor
LSO NZFOR - A
MAJ
CAPT - MAJ (E)
April & October
April & October
OP Troy NSE
OC NSE
NSE 2IC
MAJ (E)
CAPT
July & January
July & January
Timor Leste
Are you interested in an operational deployment? If so
read on...
Currently the NZ Army support missions in 10 different
countries around the world from as far south as Antarctica
to locations further afield such as the Pacific, Africa, the
Middle East and Asia. Each of the missions offer a range
of appointments which will provide an experience that is
both personally and professionally rewarding.
What’s on offer? If you are interested in deploying
anytime in the future it is important you achieve and
maintain the following competencies:
• Medical: Hold a minimum medical grading of A4G3-Z1.
• Fitness: Be RFL qualified at the time of nomination.
• Dental: Be D1 dentally fit.
• AWQ: Hold a current qualification on the IW Steyr
AWQ.
• Security Clearance: Hold a current security
clearance.
• Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC): Be LOAC Level 1
qualified.
• Military Justice Training Programme (MJTP): Be
qualified to a minimum of MJTP Level 1.
• Position Description: Be able to meet all the
requirements of the appointment.
For further information on missions visit the HQ JFNZ
intranet site and click on Missions, then Missions
Home Page. Deployment standards and nomination
criteria as well as specific information on the mission
itself are detailed. The job descriptions for most of the
appointments can also be sourced from here and these
will detail any additional competencies that will be
needed for a particular appointment.
Military Secretary Guidance:
Army’s priority is to fill Army tied posts before bidding for
Tri-Service appointments.
You can express your interest through your command
chain, during MS Branch interview rounds or by contacting
the MS Branch POC for missions CAPT Liz Barclay on 3477631, email: [email protected]
TG GYRO
OC
HQ BG S53 / 2IC
S1
S2
S4
S6
DEP SVC Delivery Manager
OC NSE Rear (Darwin)
Pl Comd
Tp Comd RNZAC
MAJ
CAPT
WO - CAPT (E)
CAPT (E)
CAPT
CAPT (E)
CAPT (E)
MAJ (E)
LT
LT
May & November
May & November
May & November
May & November
May & November
May & November
May & November
February & August
May & November
May & November
OP Kaihanga
Log Staff Offr
Pers Staff Offr
English Language Instr
MAJ (E)
MAJ (E)
SGT - CAPT (E)
November (12 months)
August (12 months)
January (12 months)
OP Toa
UNMO
MAJ (E)
May & November
Solomon Islands
OP RATA
SNO / Dep Comd
S2
S35 OC NSE
MAJ
LT
CAPT
May & November
March & September
March & September
Sinai
OP FARAD
SO Plans
Chief Instructor
ADC
LO
CAPT
CAPT
CAPT (E)
MAJ (E)
May & November
February & August
May & November
October (12 months)
Korea
OP MONITOR
Asst Ops Off
Comd Corridor Control Offr
Joint Duty Offr
MAJ (E)
LT (E)
LT (E)
March & September
March & September
March & September
Sudan
OP SUDDEN
UNMO
UNMO
UNMO
CAPT/MAJ (E)
CAPT/MAJ (E)
CAPT/MAJ (E)
February (12 months)
May (12 months)
December (12 months)
PIRATE
SEARCHING IN THE
SOMALI BASIN
armydeployments11
Army Legal Officer Major Leishia Pettigrew is on board the
USS ANZIO (CG 68), a Ticonderoga-class guided missile
cruiser in the Gulf of Aden/Somali Basin.The ship’s
mission is to intercept pirates operating in the area. Major
Pettigrew is the Legal Adviser to the Commander of CTF
151, Captain James Gilmour, RNZN . The experience is, she
writes, an exciting opportunity.
Captain Gilmour and I are two of the three New Zealand
Defence Force members contributed to this coalition
command staff. The rest of the team comes from Australia,
Canada, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, and
the Republic of Korea. We have a Royal Navy Liason Officer
ashore in Bahrain and are supported by US Navy staff.
It is the first time CTF 151 has had a coalition command
staff, and ours is a relatively small staff at that (11 people,
compared to an average of 20+). You can probably see why
we chose ‘Kotahi’ (as one) as our motto!
CTF 151 is one of three task forces operated by Combined
Maritime Forces (CMF), a 25-nation coalition based in
Bahrain. More than 23,000 vessels transit through the
region annually and the risk of piracy is very real. CTF 151's
mission is disruption of piracy in the region with counterpiracy operations focused on the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and
Somali basin. CTF 151 coordinates with the EUNAVFOR task
forces in the region, as well as independent deployers to
respond to the piracy threat. CTF 151 units also have to be
prepared to respond to distress calls from other vessels in
the region.
To be the first NZDF legal officer deployed in support
of the first New Zealand CTF 151 Commander is a pretty
exciting opportunity. It’s not often one gets the chance to
be involved at the strategic, operational and tactical level
of the same deployment; however, I was fortunate enough
to be. Going from drafting aspects of the cabinet paper to
attending operational planning groups and then deploying
has given me a certain appreciation of both that process
and this mission. The timing of this deployment is also
an excellent opportunity to put the theory of my recently
completed advanced law of the sea course into practice.
Major Pettigrew (right) with Captain Neil Carson (centre) and public
information officer Silva Barata.
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
Suspect pirates are questioned.
MULTINATIONAL COUNTER
PIRACY TASK FORCE FLAGSHIP
DISRUPTS SUSPECTED PIRATES
IN GULF OF ADEN
Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 flagship, USS ANZIO
intercepted a skiff earlier this month, successfully
disrupting the activities of a group of suspected pirates
in the Gulf of Aden.
ANZIO received a report from a merchant vessel that
it had been attacked, including being fired upon, by
suspected pirates in a skiff who were reportedly armed
with a rocket propelled grenade launcher and AK-47
assault rifles.
“The attack was unsuccessful because the large
merchant vessel adhered to ‘Best Management
Practices’ which involves measures such as maintaining
a 24 hour lookout, removing access ladders, reporting
suspicious activity and engaging in evasive manoeuvres.
This incident is another reminder of how effective these
practical precautions are,” said Captain James Gilmour,
RNZN, Commander CTF 151.
ANZIO was ordered to pursue the suspected pirate
vessel and intercept it. Collaborative efforts between
CTF 151, NATO (TF 508), a Japanese Maritime SelfDefense Force vessel and a Japanese Maritime Patrol
Aircraft, resulted in the apprehension of the suspected
vessel.
“This co-operation culminated in the suspected
pirates disposing of weapons and equipment that could
be used for further piracy attempts. The remaining
suspected pirate paraphernalia was also disposed
of when the vessel was intercepted by the CTF 151
warship,” CAPT Gilmour added.
CTF 151’s mission is to disrupt piracy and armed
robbery at sea and to engage with regional and other
partners to build capacity and improve relevant
capabilities, in order to protect global maritime
commerce and secure freedom of navigation.
CTF 151 is one of three task forces operating under the
US-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a 25-nation
coalition. CTF 151's counter-piracy operations focus on
the Gulf of Aden, Southern Red Sea, Arabian Sea and
Somali basin, an area encompassing 2.5 million square
miles.
12armydeployments
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
HELPING
TO SUPPORT
THE VOICE
OF TIMOR
By Padre Katene Eruera in Timor-Leste
Just prior to our deployment to Timor-Leste, the Marist Junior
Football Club in Palmerston North asked us to take a number
of soccer jerseys to give to young Timorese players.
Recently a community event just outside our Base, and a
patrol to the south of the country, allowed us opportunities to
partially fulfil Marist’s wishes (partially because there is a heck
of a lot of jerseys to give away!).
The community event actually had its origins with the
previous Timor-Leste contingent’s wish for us to complete a set
of goalposts they had started making to allow local children to
play soccer (or should I say futebol or football).
Our Combat Support Services Team (CSST) completed the
goalposts, and our contingent thought it might be a good
idea to celebrate it with a game against the locals. The soccer
field has an interesting history; it used to be part of an airfield
the Japanese used in World War 2 to bomb Darwin, but it is a
patch of gravelly dirt now. We would not allow our children to
play on that kind of field for safety’s sake, but when in Rome
(or in this case Dili) we do as the Romans do. So one Sunday
afternoon, along with our Australian Army mates, we competed
against the local community’s soccer stars. Members of the
CSST presented the goalposts and we can happily report to
our predecessors and that the good work they began has been
finished.
We also took the opportunity on a recent patrol to distribute
soccer jerseys to children at local villages on our route. I am
constantly amazed at how children can appear out of nowhere
so quickly. In New Zealand we get the news out by text, or
Facebook etc. Here I think it’s a quick shout and away! As far
as I can tell there is very little organised soccer in Timor-Leste;
clubs are few and far between, but it is a national obsession.
I had control of the TV remote one afternoon in the recreation
area of our Joint Headquarters (very briefly but it was a small
victory) while I was waiting for a friend to finish a meeting. I
received a warm smile from a couple of Timorese employees
on their coffee break because I switched channels to a
sports channel playing a club game in France. They sat there
transfixed.
Much is made about how barriers between cultures can be
broken down through sport. Most New Zealanders would think
of rugby as that sport, but when in Timor it is soccer. Timor
used to be a Portugese colony, so it is understandable why
The jerseys are distributed to keen young locals.
soccer is so infused within Timorese culture. We spoke a bit
– What is your favourite team? Who is your favourite player?
What do you think of this game? I told them I supported
Barcelona – more smiles.
Empowering a people, at least in the small part GYRO
makes to that whole effort, seems to me like a conversation
about soccer – a willingness on our part to listen to a voice
that wants to be heard, that wants to offer an opinion to
the conversations and ideas for its context. What are the
important issues for Timor? The rebuilding of infrastructure,
health care, education for a largely young population,
economic development—people have an opinion and genuine
concern about these issues.
So, in our good works, it is wonderful that GYRO is able
to rely on the generosity of Kiwis willing to donate their
time and possessions for the use of others – not only for
their generosity, but also because it is a pathway for us to
form friendships. If at the end of the day we will be able to
withdraw from Timor having listened respectfully, and having
helped in some way to support that voice, we will have done a
great thing here.
By Sergeant Major of the Army, Warrant Officer Class
One Danny Broughton
The Command Sergeant Major from USARPAC, Hawaii,
CSM Frank Leota, visited New Zealand in July. He was taking
time out from Exercise Talisman Sabre that was being
conducted in Australia. That exercise had more than 11,000
United States and 7000 Australian troops participating, so it
was great that he gladly took time out of his busy schedule
to engage with me.
The main reason for the visit was for him to have a look
at some of our capabilities and to get an in-depth briefing
on our junior non-commissioned officers’ course. His
comments regarding our course were all positive, and he
said the front loading and duration was something the
US would like to do. He was also pleased to see that we
still had vehicle mechanics in uniform, something they no
longer have,
The last day of his visit ended with a tour of HQJFNZ and a
brief by the WOJFNZ, WO P.J Smith. He met Major Pete King
as well and he offered training assistance to the continued
development of the counter improvised explosive device
programme.
It was great to have him visit and to continue building on
our relationship that will hopefully see bigger and better
things happening in the near future.
SENIOR US SOLDIER VISITS NGATI TU
Sergeant Major of the Army Warrant Officer Class One Danny Broughton with USARPAC Company Sergeant Major Frank Leota
(left) and his assistant.
armytraining13
CLOSE QUARTER
BATTLE TRAINING –
ACHIEVING MISSION
SUCCESS IN A CLOSE
ENVIRONMENT
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
By Warrant Officer Class One JJ Lloyd, PTA (A),
NZAPTC
Burnham, Trentham and Papakura physical training
instructors(PTIs) have been conducting basic close
quarter battle (CQB) courses recently. This follows
a directive from the Chief of Army and the Land
Component Commander that PTIs revamp and reinstate
CQB as a soldier survivability skill and operational
capability.
From July 2011 the New Zealand Army Physical
Trainining Corps has taken on the role of delivering
CQB courses and providing continuous CQB training
to the NZ Army. In the coming months the PTIs will be
implementing a plan to deliver a thirty percent minimum
output of CQB within all sub unit PT programmes.
This will be achieved by adding continuous training
to the front and end of PT classes and by having full
sessions placed into PT programmes as required,
depending on the skill level of unit personnel. Units
will also have the opportunity to request CQB classes
outside their scheduled PT programmes. It is also
intended to qualify non NZAPTC personnel as CQB
instructors to help embed this capability into the NZ
Army PT culture.
The NZAPTC acknowledges the Todd Group, in
particular Geoff Todd who created and gave this military
specific CQB system to the NZ Army.
WHY THE ARMY NEEDS CQB SKILLS
By Corporal Jess Blair, PTI, NZAPTC
CQB is a military fighting system has been developed from
the close combat practices in ancient civilisations including
the Ancient Greeks, Celts and Egyptians, and the skills have
evolved over the last 6000 years.
The Todd Group are the custodians of the doctrine of CQB
within New Zealand. Geoff Todd has travelled extensively
and immersed himself within a culture of close combat
fighting styles in order to develop a fighting system that
is specific to situations of hand to hand combat. In 2006
the Chief of Army issued a directive that all soldiers
would complete Basic CQB training in order to provide the
necessary skills and confidence to operate, survive and
achieve mission success in a close environment.
The advance of weaponry has seen the eventual decline of
many of the unarmed practices seen in ancient times. The
ancient Europeans had the ultimate test of effectiveness
in their ‘life or death’ competitive battles. For over 300
years the Roman Empire conducted gladiatorial combat
where the combatants would kill or be killed. The skills
that were learned in these gladiatorial bouts were largely
forgotten with the advance of weaponry, and due to the
secrecy that the skills were shrouded in throughout history.
Church authorities also destroyed much of the records of
ancient European close combat in the belief that it was nonChristian. The study of ancient artefacts like the challises
and sword scabbards dating back to the fourth century BC
depict soldiers practising close combat.
Prior to WW2 British Captain William Fairbairn and US
counterpart Colonel Rex Applegate were given the task from
their respective governments of learning all they could of the
enemy and allied fighting methods of the world. Fairbairn
analysed the methods from the 1800’s onwards and became
proficient in many of the Eastern systems which gave him a
vast knowledge and mastery of the fighting arts of the world.
He ensured that in his programming, the practices and
principles were specific to real combat situations. With this
wealth of knowledge Fairbairn, Sykes and Applegate trained
the most elite operatives of the Second World War. The work
of these early pioneers is being continued today in the work
of Geoff Todd and the Todd Group.
Psychological conditioning is an essential accompaniment
to the physical skills that are taught because without the
determination and confidence to initiate the physical skills
and the inner resolve to complete the task, techniques are
of little value in a true combat situation.
The Todd Group endorses an appreciation of all emotion
so that it can be used effectively towards neutralising
the enemy threat as quickly as possible. Fear is a natural
emotion, and the physical symptoms of fear can be
eliminated from your consciousness by slowing and
controlling your breathing to reduce the heart rate. Fear
must be eliminated immediately by focusing on an enemy’s
weaknesses, not his strengths. The next stage is to
continuously say to yourself that you will win and cannot be
beaten. This is coupled with the visual perception of the
enemy’s weakness and the mental conviction that you must
and will win, and cannot be beaten. Geoff Todd deplores
the word ‘survivor’ and he states in the manual of CQB that
the word survivor is a patronising way to describe a victim.
You have not been killed but you have been defeated, and
he suggests that perhaps it was this defeatist attitude that
lead you into the unfortunate situation for which you are
described a ‘survivor’ and not a ‘winner’.
The term defensive does not exist in CQB. It is either
offensive or counter offensive. The fighting system teaches
that in true combat there is no such thing as defence; you
attack the weapon, the arm holding the weapon, major
vitals, or a combination of all in order to preserve your own
life. This is not a fighting sport.
The motto that sums up the CQB psychological
conditioning for combat: “Winners never quit”.
•
Contact your formation S3 Branch for information
on Basic CQB courses in your region.
14armypeople
A VITAL ELEMENT
FOR FORCE
PROTECTION
Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) was
the subject of a symposium in Trentham recently which
brought together environmental and occupational health
personnel from throughout the NZDF, as well as local
civilian agencies and international military participants.
EOH is all about prevention, and is an important force
multiplier, says the Officer Commanding, General Support
Health Company, Major Phil Wright.
.Major Wright began his career specialising in
environmental health (EH) in the British Army. He served
in the United Kingdom for 25 years, deploying twice
to Iraq, and to Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia, Northern
Ireland and the Falklands.
He says environmental health is important because it
is about the prevention of disease, avoiding manpower
wastage and maintaining operational effectiveness.
“If we prevent the outbreak of disease it’s obvious that
the force that is deployed is not going to be subsumed by
illnesses that are preventable.”
EH is known as a force multiplier because its capability
maintains the force in a fit and healthy state. It has been
going through a stage of regeneration over the past few
years in the New Zealand Army with the development of
an NCO specialty, an officer and NCO career and training
model and the forming of an operational structure within
2nd Health Support Battalion. The role this capability
plays has evolved from not only focussing on more
simple public health issues (such as pest control and
food hygiene inspection), to looking at more complex
issues and developing skills and resources in health
intelligence, information and risk management.
“The battlefield has changed dramatically with respect
to the health issues posed to troops,” says Major Wright.
"The threats soldiers face now are very different from
those soldiers faced 30 years ago. Today environmental
threats could in some cases cause more casualties than
typical battle injuries.”
“In the past we have dealt with issues such as dengue
fever and malaria, and we’re well versed in dealing with
those. The threats now are much more complex, for
example, depleted uranium, asbestos exposure, and
exposure to poisonous dust, fumes, mists and gases.”
Combat troops, he says, are invariably familiar with
biological and chemical warfare.
“But often they don’t think much about, for example,
setting up camp in a disused building which may be
full of asbestos, the health effects of which will not be
apparent for about 20 years.”
EH personnel play an important role in the preliminary
phase of a deployment, whether it is conventional
operations or humanitarian assistance and disaster
relief. They work closely with engineers on site
assessments and reconnaissance, establishing the
potential risks to deployed troops so that command
decisions can be made.
EH support to humanitarian assistance and disaster
relief has become a significant role for this capability. In
disasters, working closely with the existing public health
system, NZDF EH personnel are able to provide niche
capabilities to aid the identification and mitigation of
health threats along with the monitoring of essential
public health services such as water supplies.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
– AN IMPORTANT FORCE MULTIPLIER
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
armypeople15
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
The New Zealand Defence Force’s Environmental health
personnel should be a world authority on the hazards
that could affect New Zealand troops in our region,
Commander New Zealand Joint Forces, Major General
Dave Gawn told the symposium.
He said he expected environmental health personnel to
help him maintain New Zealand’s fighting force, exercise
duty of care, operate independently when needed, and
operate credibly in a joint, interagency and multi-national
context.
“You are a vital element in my commanders’
force protection, risk identification and mitigation
strategy. Without knowledge of the environmental
and occupational hazards that exist on operations my
commanders are unable to make informed decisions
as to what risks they need to be prepared to manage in
order to achieve their mission.
“I expect you to be able to provide operational
commanders with advice and guidance on waste
management, vector control, food safety, water supply
safety and communicable disease control. I expect you
to test and advise on air quality, hazardous material,
hazardous chemicals, and radiation, and to conduct EH
surveillance so that over time I am able to gauge whether
an operational environment presents risk to the health of
deployed forces. I need to know whether to change what
we do or how we do it.”
The NZDF, MAJGEN Gawn said, has a legal and moral
obligation to look after its people.
“Your focus cannot be just on traditional hazards. We
can be exposed to complex hazards bringing with them
complex illnesses that may not present for years.”
Deployments such as Bougainville and East Timor,
he said, presented situations where significant
infrastructure damage and lack of host nation standards
for hazardous material management left the potential for
New Zealanders to be exposed.
MAJGEN Gawn said the NZDF needed to be capable
of operating independently in certain circumstances,
and be credible and interoperable with the Australian
Defence Force, the United States and other security
partners.
“And we need to be responsive to all of our
government’s requirements through a wide range of
utility. You need to be aware of each other’s skills, and be
able to identify your strengths and any areas where some
may not be as strong as others.
“You need to know all of this because future operations
are more likely to be conducted in a joint, inter-agency
and multi-national construct. While we must be able to
operate independently, we realistically can expect to be
operating together for humanitarian assistance, disaster
relief and stabilisation and security operations.”
“Goodwill and personalities may get us through some
crises but if we are to maintain a professional, responsive
approach we need to ready ourselves. Complementarity
allows us to avoid wastage and duplication.”
FIRST ON THE SCENE
New Zealand Defence Force environmental health
personnel have been among the first on the scene in
several humanitarian disasters at home and in the Pacific
recently.
An inter-agency approach was demonstrated regarding
the Christchurch earthquake in February this year. While
the response was lead by the Ministry of Civil Defence
and Emergency Management, government agencies and
non-government agencies worked together.
The NZDF environmental health officers and technicians
who deployed to Christchurch were designated “health
protection officers” by the Ministry of Health. This
allowed them to act as health protection officials as they
undertook water surveillance under the direction of the
Christchurch Medical Officer of Health.
The 2009 Samoa tsunami elicited a multi-national
response, with France, Australia and New Zealand
contributing assistance and personnel.
16armytraining
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
OPERATION RUA
Operation Rua is the Army’s mission to mentor Afghan
National Army (ANA) instructors as they train ANA
officers and soldiers. It is part of Operation Enduring
Freedom in Afghanistan and is a small part of a much
wider coalition force effort.
It’s a challenging and fulfilling role, writes Army
Sergeant Simon Urlich, a veteran of two tours to TimorLeste and one previous deployment to Afghanistan.
In April SSGT Frank Hampson and I deployed to
Afghanistan on OP RUA where we are attached to the
United Kingdom Infantry Branch School (UKIBS) in Kabul.
In Maori the word “rua” means “two”, hence the name
OP RUA for the two NZ soldiers deployed separate from
the main NZ contingent in Afghanistan.
“Our mission and role is to mentor Afghan National
Army (ANA) Instructors as they train ANA Officers and
Soldiers. The role that we do within OP ENDURING
FREEDOM in Afghanistan is a very small part of a much
wider coalition force effort.
As part of the Coalition force effort we are helping the
government of Afghanistan with the rapid expansion of
their defence force. The current strength of the ANA is
173000, the aim of the Afghanistan Ministry of Defence
is to attain and maintain a fighting strength of 195000
by mid 2012. The government of Afghanistan wants
and needs the ANA to have the ability to competently
stabilise and defend Afghanistan from insurgent and
terrorist aggression, allowing US and coalition forces
the ability to draw down and depart a more stabilized
Afghanistan.
My initial job on deployment was as part of a five man
UK Army mentoring team that mentored ANA instructors
in training reconnaissance methods for ANA soldiers.
I am since on temporary loan to another mentoring
team in the ANA Officer Training wing, it’s a short term
assignment as I help to cover a short fall when other
mentors were sent to another part of Afghanistan to
cover other urgently required mentoring tasks.
Within the mentoring teams our daily routine consists
of liaising with ANA instructors and discussing any
issues they have with training, administration and
development, as well as recording the numbers of
students that are present, sick, on duty or AWOL. During
both classroom and field lessons we will observe and
assess lessons given by the ANA Instructors that we
are assigned to, and our main focus is overseeing the
ability of the ANA Instructors as they deliver subject
information and lesson content to ANA students. We
provide the instructors with feed-back on their lesson
delivery, as well as advice and idea’s from our coalition
force experience that could better enhance their
instructional ability and expand their subject knowledge.
We always use interpreters to communicate points to
our ANA instructors. However, our experience shows that using
an interpreter skilfully can require practice to get necessary
points across. The English language has approximately over
two times the amount of words in its vocabulary than the
Dari language. This presents additional challenges when
Interpreters translate meaning for meaning and not word
for word during a two way conversation. So when we use an
Interpreter; we use every day words that the interpreter can
understand, and we try to keep our sentences short so that
the content of what we are saying is not lost in translation. We
are aware that a long winded sentence with Oxford dictionary
words will require constant explanation and clarification to
the interpreter for them to understand meaning, so while their
English is good it is not their first language, and an unwritten
rule is to keep things simple.
As mentors our role isn’t to give lessons or to teach any
ANA student soldiers, that’s the job of the ANA instructors.
However, in the past there have been occasions where
mentors have had to step in and give guidance to an ANA
Instructor, this is usually due to the ANA Instructor having
a lack of subject knowledge or experience on a particular
subject. Once we have given our advice we leave it to the
instructor to continue instructing the students. We know that
an ANA Instructor will not always take a lesson as well as what
a coalition mentor could do, but; as long as there are no safety
breachs, and that at least eighty percent of the main teaching
points get given to the students, we leave them to it, and
just pass on any relevant main points for the ANA Instructor
to improve on; after he has finished the lesson. A quote that
used to hang on the wall of our office in Camp Alamo when I
was last served here in 2008 sums it up:
“It is better to let them do it themselves imperfectly, than to
do it you self perfectly. It is their country, their way and our time
is short”. Lt Col TE Lawrence, 1918.
“When we mentors do give lessons it’s usually on a subject
that’s previously unknown to most or specific ANA instructors,
and only the ANA instructors receive it. The ANA instructors
then plan their own lessons and instruct the ANA students
themselves. As mentors the hands off approach to instructing
is done so that ANA instructors’ knowledge and experience can
grow. The UKIBS’s main effort is to mentor all the ANA that they
are assigned to, so that the ANA can competently manage all
aspects in training, relying on the ANA system and Instructors;
and not on coalition forces.
One of the biggest highlights I have had so far is re-
acquainting myself with people who I worked with in 2008.
So far I have run into three interpreters, two high ranking ANA
officers and an ANA SNCO. The re-acquaintance with the ANA
SNCO was especially memorable as I had worked very closely
with him over a seven week period in Mazar-E-Sharif back in
2008. His name is Shams for short, and he has two wives after
it became his family duty to take on his dead brother’s wife.
Most mornings Shams would come up to me and say, “Simon
two wives is a big, big problem”, he would then ask, “Simon
do you want to become a Muslim? You can have two wives”! I’d
reply “No thanks my friend, because as a Christian I can drink
beer, and one wife drives me to drink, you have two wives and
being a Muslim you’re forbidden to drink, so I think I have
fewer problems”. Shams always laughed at that comment! It’s
good to see that Shams has advanced in rank since I worked
with him last. He is trusted by his superiors and the UK IBS
mentors, and due to his experience within the ANA Shams
is respected by the ANA soldiers that he has in his charge. I
consider Shams a friend and we enjoy having a chai (black tea)
over a conversation in his office.
“A recent deployment challenge was when I was tasked to
give a lesson to a group of French soldiers who mentored the
ANA Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) course, as well as some
ANA Instructors. The first problem for me was solved when I
had earlier learned about the radio when I was not previously
familiar with it. The next problem was to give the lesson. While
I had some excellent interpreters on hand; I found that using
a mix of my best effort at saying numerals in French and Dari
helped speed up the process. The end result was that what
was a 30 minute lesson took just over an hour and a half,
and at any one time four languages were being spoken it the
classroom—English for myself, French for our French mentors
and Dari and Pashto languages for the ANA Instructors. The
lesson was judged a success when an ANA instructor gave
a lesson to a class of ANA student soldiers, and all could
programme the radio and use it.
Afghanistan is a huge country that is finding its feet after 32
years of war. As a result of this; a large portion of the adult
population that lived in country areas have never had any
form of education and are totally illiterate. This has had a roll
on effect where a majority of the ANA soldiers that we see
coming through the Infantry Branch School (IBS) cannot read
or write notes on the lessons they attend and find it difficult
to study after hours. Where possible the ANA instructors rely
on practical demonstrations as well as pictures to get points
across to students. This can make for a frustrating time for
the instructors as they have to continually correct mistakes
that illiterate soldiers can’t study notes for. However, I have
Staff Sergeant Frank Hampson and Sergeant Simon Urlich.
armytraining17
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
also seen that just because a person is illiterate; it does not
mean that their IQ is limited.. I have sometimes been blown
away at the speed a few of the illiterate soldiers have picked
up speaking English; and I would love to see what their IQ is
measured at.
Every month ANA soldiers take two days leave, and a lot
of soldiers will take these days after the weekend that they
are paid. In a western Army this sort of behaviour would not
be tolerated and the offending soldier would be punished.
However the ANA high command has a different view, as there
are very few electronic banking systems within the country
and none in remote villages, an ANA Soldier will often take two
days to travel to his family at a remote location to drop his pay
off to them, after a night at home he will usually take a further
two or three days to travel back to Kabul, where they will rejoin
the course with no punishment being given.
The ANA that we work with have a sense of humour; and in
my time that I have worked with them I have seen them try
excuses that will catch anyone out - eg. early one morning
our UKIBS Physical Training Instructor went into the ANA
Instructors accommodation to rouse them for an early morning
PT session. Through an interpreter the bleary eyed ANA
instructors said that they were not doing PT that morning,
because the Taliban had stolen all their gym shoes out of their
rooms while they were sleeping! The PT session was cancelled
as they had made up their minds and were sticking to it. While
the PTI was not happy with what was a blatant lie, you had to
admire the inventiveness of it as they tried to pull the wool
over our eyes.
The mentors that we work with are from four different
countries. The French mentor the ANA instructors that train
the ANA NCOs, we have a Mongolian contingent and we have
the UK Army that mentors Officer Cadet training, and infantry
support weapons. I have found that there will always be a
language barrier with some nationalities like the Mongolians
who we work with, and to a lesser degree with the French,
but most of our French contingent speak English very well.
But throughout my time in the NZ Defence Force travelling in
foreign countries, I have found that if two people make an
effort to speak the others language, it’s a good start to getting
along and working with each other well.
Compared to the soldiers whot are patrolling some of the
more hazardous and dangerous areas of Afghanistan we do
have what would be called a comfortable life in the role that
we serve in, but we do know that our job as mentors is not
what could be called totally safe.
On my return I am looking forward to reuniting with my wife
and two sons. I’m hoping for some good weather to take my
sons diving, and believe it or not I’m also looking forward to
mowing my lawns as no one does it as good as I do.
18armytraining
DEALING
WITH THE
PAIN DEMONS
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
I thought I would write this article in the hope of
encouraging others to take up this challenge and literally
run, walk, crawl (or if like me, fall over many hills) with it.
It is a challenge that is achievable for ordinary people like
you and me. All it takes is the right training and mindset!
I took part in the first Support Squadron 1NZSAS
Induction Course in January 2011. I am at TF Specialist
Officer and work as an Anaesthetic Registrar at Waikato
Hospital. I have spent three years as a Regular Force
doctor. As an anaesthetist, one of our sub-specialties
is pain management. I have included a small section
on how we can manage our own pain in situations of
adversity when our body is telling us to give up and go
home. Below is an outline of my experience. Needless to
say, this course was a mere introduction to the 1NZSAS
selection course. We got to eat (if it stayed down), sleep
(if you could) and there were no mind games except for
those played by the PTI and the training sergeant both
yelling at us to evoke of anxiety and panic which they did
rather well. So really, it was an easy two days, so they
would say.
I will be honest, the course left me hobbling in agony
for a day and though I have only fond memories of this
activity, I recall very clearly the pain demons that I had
to deal with- legs crumpling yet again as I fell down yet
another mud bank. I am convinced I looked like one of
those over-laden donkeys you may find collapsed in a
heap in Afghanistan- carrying too many sacks of potatoes
or piled with scrubble seven times the size of their
bodies. Although my pack wasn’t quite that big, it sure
felt that heavy. As I continued to pick myself back up, the
lessons that became clear in my mind were “ensure you
can always laugh at yourself”, “tackle the task with the
right attitude”, “keep a smile on your face and never stop
walking”.
Prior to the course, I was politely warned by the Support
Squadron Sergent Major “a reasonable level of fitness
was expected”. In a nice way he was really telling me:
“you are a female TF Specialist Officer…please don’t be
a pansy!”. So in order not to embarrass myself or my
Unit, I fitted in some training around my full time job, full
time studying for anaesthetic exams and all those other
important aspects in life. I ran a few times a week to and
from work, I filled up my pack with bricks (36kg of them)
and did a pack walk every week or two.
I trained for what I was told I would be doing and that
was a RFL, a BET, and a swim test. I did this for a few
months leading up to January. Unfortunately my training
was interrupted by dislocating my shoulder a few weeks
Earlier this year a
Territorial Force doctor
completed a two day
activity as part of 1NZSAS
Gp’s seven day Special
Operations Induction
Course. It wasn’t easy,
but she has some top tips
on what got her through.
This is her story.
prior to course. Nevertheless, I went on with the plan and
here is the inside story.
Day One
The morning started with the RFL in the howling wind. We
all ran about a minute slower than usual due to the wind
and shear terror of being yelled at all over again. The first
lesson learnt was “if you don’t usually eat breakfast, then
don’t, it will end up on the grass”. The run was followed by
pressups, sit ups and apparently pull ups – no one told me
about this, but you make do and it works.
The BET – the only tactic here is start hard and continue
hard! This time limit is tough, the pack is heavy so start by
doing run/walk intervals and don’t stop. Practise fireman
carrying, the 6 foot wall, and the rope climb following
a pack walk as it’s a lot harder to do this when you are
already buggered. Then down to the pools we went for the
swim test…
Having done this, I found out that half of support
squadron were continuing with more physical testing.
Seeing that I am a self confessed FOMO (Fear-of-MissingOut) person, I asked if I could join in (perhaps not my
smartest move in life) The afternoon was taken up by an
activity they affectionately called “hounds and hares”- a
boot run with webbing and rifle which continues up into
hills for what seams like eternity. And just when you think
that surely this must be the last climb and corner, another
hill greets you. It’s tough, it’s unrelenting, and to top it
off you have some people running somewhere behind you
wanting to chase you down and eat you for dinner (or so it
seams).
Day Two
They called this ‘Exercise Walkabout’. And walk about
we did. Our packs were heavier than the day before due
to radios, emergency rations, emergency ammunition (in
case we were muppets and got lost on a pre formed track
while carrying a map and compass) and water. We were
dropped off somewhere in the Hunua Ranges, given a
grid reference of our location, then the grid of check point
one. Fortunately we were walking on marked tracks, which
was lucky since I hadn’t touched a compass since basic
training; I can’t say a compass is something I reach for
when my patient is dying on the operating table and reallyI don’t trust my navigation skills at the best of times.
Off we marched with 10 minute intervals between us.
When it was my turn to leave I had two staff sergeants
behind me. I knew these two well, and there was no way
they were going to beat me. We had six hours to complete
the 18km mountain walk.
At check point one, my two friends behind me had caught
up. However, we had overtaken many on the track already,
so making good time. I got my next grid and took off. I
needed to put some time in between us. I wasn’t prepared
for the entourage of stairs that I next encountered. With a
38kg pack plus, and flight after flight of stairs it meant that
the quadriceps muscles were soon torn to pieces and on
fire. Those stairs continued for over half an hour. These
stairs were certainly the highlight of the day and either
broke you, or made you want to kick their sorry …
The next four hours (or the rest of the day depending
on how long you take) is spent on your own, occasionally
meeting up with people, saying a quick hi, commenting
on how sore you are and the suffering you are going
through and continuing. You are in your own world
of pain and misery and there is only you to motivate
yourself.
And then it was over… though it took some days for me
to recover and the body has not yet forgiven me for this
adventure.
Lance Corporal Rebecca Biss is the other female
who completed this two day exercise. She dutifully
overtook the boys on most of the activities, was a
continual inspiration for all on the course and was really
exceptional at everything.
It was a challenging two days, yet full of laughs, sweat
and certainly no tears. The realization that I could
continue to push myself beyond what I had trained for or
thought I could achieve was certainly an insight for me. I
was pleased to have finished it and no pain could ever
overshadow this experience.
So what can I offer you having been through this and
seeing that I am a doctor?
The Moral?
Self motivation is a long and arduous topic, its only pain
that I am an expert in. Usually I’d treat my patients in
armytraining19
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
pain with pain medications such as opioids like morphine
and fentanyl or just put them to sleep if they require an
operation to fix their pain. However, on a day like this
you have only your natural endogenous opioids to get you
through.
Our body makes our own natural opiods – endorphins,
enkephalins and dynorphins.
Our body makes these in our brain and they are involved
in modulating and decreasing our pain perception. They
work within our pain centres in our brain and spinal cord.
In the same pain centres and on the same receptors where
drugs like morphine and fentanyl work. It is these natural
opioids that enable you to get your leg blown off and yet
continue to kill the dude who just did this to you. Ok, so
maybe there is some adrenaline mixed in there too. The
moral of the story is that we can produce our own morphine
like substances within our brain which will help us get on
with the job, despite the agony, terror and self doubt.
We can also modulate our pain perception through other
descending pathways that go from our brain into our spinal
cord. This inhibits the pain signals we are receiving from
the peripheries such as our muscles which are torn to
pieces or that raw blister that keeps rubbing at the back of
your boot. It’s knowing how to turn on those descending
inhibiting pain pathways that will get you through. This is
still an area of intense interest and research, however we
know it really is mind over matter in acute painful situations
like this.
How is this done?
By focusing on the positive and remaining optimisticthis will increase the release of all the natural opioids and
neurotransmitters which will decrease your pain perception.
For some it is visualizing the end of the arduous task
(e.g. picturing yourself at the finish line), thinking of
the emotional satisfaction of knowing you completed a
seemingly insurmountable task. For some it may be a
spiritual journey, affirming faith in God (I still question God:
why I am still studying medicine despite 12 years of ongoing
exams, pain and stress?) or whatever else you may believe
in. For others it is talking to yourselves whether out loud
or that inner voice (no you will not be judged as having an
acute psychiatric condition, it is quite normal when getting
yourself through difficult circumstances). For me, I sing.
Embarrassing to admit, but it makes me laugh or perhaps
I just laugh at myself singing. It was my ability to laugh
at myself that got me through those multiple crumpled
up messes at the bottom of the mud hills time after time.
MAJOR CAULTON WINS
SILVER AND BRONZE
IN HOLLYWOOD
Major Lisa Caulton with her medal haul.
The Army’s singing dentist, Major Lisa Caulton has
returned to New Zealand from Hollywood with three bronze
medals and one silver.
Major Caulton attended the World Championships of
Performing Arts along with 3,500 other competitors from
throughout the world. The four day competition was held in
central Los Angeles.
“Before the championships begun all competitors
attended boot camp seminars with industry experts in the
field of vocals, acting, modelling and dancing. I got to
attend seminars with Seth Riggs who is the vocal coach for
the late Michael Jackson, Madonna, Natalie Cole, Stevie
Wonder and many more famous singers. His tips and
Those on the course with me will tell you singing is not my
greatest of talents, but it was one of the things that got me
to the finish line.
The mind is our most effective and powerful tool when it
comes to dealing with pain and overcoming it. Of course
adequate training and preparation is important, but even
the fittest and strongest person should be challenged
over these two days. Adequate hydration with electrolye
replacement is important. I recommend having a camel
pack with at least three litres of Horleys Replace Isotonic
Sports Drink. full water bottles and snack food high in
simple carbohydrates to get you through. Training for this
event is important; it is a two day endurance event so
treat it like one. Put in the hard work prior, practise with
the right weight, at the correct pace and with appropriate
hydration and food.
Fortunately I was not the worst for wear after Ex
Walkabout. Some people were vomiting on completion of
the course – the result of inadequate hydration with the
right fluid and/or poor preparation. One SNCO had his
reputation tarnished by allowing a female TF Specialist
Officer to beat him on Ex Walkabout - sorry Staff, perhaps a
rematch next year?
suggestions on the singing trade were invaluable.
“The judges of the competition were all industry experts
in their field in America, and if they liked your performance
you would get a pink slip to be called back to interview
with them. I got a call-back with Shele Sondheim, an
international songwriter, music producer, vocal arranger,
studio session specialist and global music business
entrepreneur. During the competition each contestant had
one minute to impress the judges in their age group and
category. I managed to impress a few judges and made it
to the semifinals.
“The experience of performing on a world stage and
getting to have one on ones with industry experts has
made me more passionate about singing and inspiring
other performers in New Zealand to compete at this level.
Looking to the future I would like to expand my talents by
learning the piano, or learning to dance and sing at the
same time. And maybe another World Championships is on
the cards.”
Major Caulton said she wanted to officially thank the
Singapore Fund and Unit Personal Fund in Waiouru for their
sponsorship towards attending the World Championships.
20armytraining
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
EXERCISE RED EAGLET A PRECURSOR TO SEPTEMBER TRAINING
Ex Red Eaglet, a medical exercise involving 4HSC (four
students attached from Defence Health School), School
of Artillery and 161 Battery, was conducted in the Waiouru
Training Area recently.
The aim of the exercise was to conduct all arms training in
a collective environment, to practise deploying the medical
detachment and conduct medical scenarios. For the first
five days medics were attached to School of Artillery and
161 Battery. This provided an opportunity for the battery and
the medics to conduct a joint training scenario, with three
casualties during a quick gun action, requiring them to be
back loaded to the medical detachment and treated for
various injuries.
For the med students from Defence Health School it was
their first taste of the training that lies ahead of them when
they finish their Diploma of Health Science and post out to
various units. The injuries the casualties sustained were those
which the medics would be likely to see in a field environment.
This included gun shot wounds, lacerations, broken limbs
and hypothermia which in Waiouru, at this time of year is
common..
To test the medics, the scenarios gradually increased in
complexity as the exercise progressed, testing their ability
to implement MARCHH, individual patient assessments,
treatment skills and the ability to function as part of a medical
detachment.
To conclude the exercise and consolidate the skills they
had learnt over the first week, the medical detachment had to
NEW ARMY LEAVE CENTRES
APARTMENTS IN CENTRAL WELLINGTON
The Army Central Welfare Office has acquired two city
apartments in central Wellington. The apartments are in
the heart of Cuba Street providing Army people and their
families easy access to one of Wellington’s main shopping
and entertainment quarters. Both apartments are large
enough to sleep six and will be suitable for families and
Army groups to get away to New Zealand’s capital to escape
the winter blues and partake in the activities and places
that can be explored in and around Wellington.
The apartments are an easy walk to facilities such as
Wellington’s Cable Car, Te Papa and the Westpac Stadium.
They are near several bus routes and the Wellington Railway
Station and main bus terminals are also not far away.
The facilities that are available for guests with confirmed
bookings for Army’s Wellington apartments are a lap
swimming pool, a spa pool, a communal sun deck and gym
facilities. Each apartment has its own dedicated car park and
access to this and the other facilities will be via an Access Card
ARMY LEAVE CENTRE SIDEBAR
Bookings can be made six months
in advance
•
•
•
Private to Corporal
Sergeant to Captain
Major and above
NZ Army Civilians
NZ Army Reserve Force
$40.00
$45.00
$55.00
$55.00
$55.00
Category Two
Bookings can be made six months
in advance
Ex Regular Force Army Personnel
Ex NZ Army Civilians
Ex NZ Army Reserve Force
$60.00
To be entitled to this category the
applicant must have completed 5
years service with Army
Category Three
Bookings can be made three
months in advance
Other NZDF Civilians
Visiting Service Persons
RNZN, RNZAF, Police and Fire
Service
RSA and affiliated Organisations
AFCC and Facility Manager
Employees
Sponsored Civilians
$75.00
Category Four
Bookings can be made three
months in advance
NZ Army Units
Category 1, 2 and 3 Groups
that will be issued to you on your arrival.
As part of the accommodation arrangements Army Leave
Centres has negotiated with the Comfort Quality Hotel that
forms part of the interlinked hotel/apartment complex the
provision of a departure clean that also incorporates the a
full set of bed linen and bath towels for a one off charge of
forty-five dollars for your stay. This will make things much
easier for travellers for example they arrive by air for a
hassle free holiday without having to worry about bringing
their usual supply of bedding, towels and cleaning products.
In view of the considerable investment necessary to
acquire these new apartments the Army Leave Centres has
deemed it necessary to charge a slightly higher tariff level,
compared with other Army Leave Centre locations. Please
note that the following tariff table will only apply to the new
Wellington City Apartments:
BACKGROUND TO LEAVE CENTRES
Category One
Regular Force:
deal with a mass casualty scenario involving five patients.
For the students who have been studying the theory of
scenarios such as that for the last 12- 18 months it was
a great opportunity for them to implement their skills.
For the qualified medics it forced them to triage patients
and prioritise treatments. This scenario also tested the
detachment commanders, who had to arrange evacuation
for the patients, conduct a thorough handover of the
patients and ensure they were ready and prepared for AME
on time.
Exercise Red Eaglet is the build up for Exercise Red
Eagle in September which will test medic detachments and
develop the senior Privates/ junior Lance Corporals in the
roll of detachment commander and second in charge.
$125.00
The seed of the money for the Army Central Welfare
Fund and Army Leave Centres came from the 1951
Wharf Strike. In a move to overcome a particularly
strong union the government of the day called in
the armed forces to help load and unload ships. To
compensate Service personnel for their assistance the
government offered the three Services a gratuitous
payment. However, rather than paying the gratuity as
an allowance to the Service personnel involved, the
Army decided that its fund would be of greater benefit
to Army employees by being held in trust. These funds
were then used by the Army to buy holiday homes or
for grants to the families who were suffering domestic
or financial misfortune.
armymissions21
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
The health contingent on Tropic Twilight consisted
of a team of three medics; Staff Sergeant. Noel Swift,
and Lance Corporals Holly Gilmore, and Kirsty Thomas,
nursing officer Captain Paula Munro, medical officer CAPT
Lincoln Nicholls, bio-medical technician; CPL Seamus
O’Grady, dental technician; LCPL Anatoliy. Derepa, Dental
Assistant; PTE Kiwi Chambers, and dentist CAPT Dale
Benic.
The team worked with the health care providers and
services as well as the general communities on the two
atolls of Atafu and Fakaofo, and completed a wide array
of health tasks. Contingent nursing officer, CAPT Paula
Munro and I worked with local health professionals,
consulting with them and their patients and providing
medical opinion and advice where needed. Advice and
feedback on current systems within the health services
were also been given to the local staff.
The contingent medics led by SSGT Swift did an
impressive job in delivering first aid and training to the
local nurses and communities with classes of up to 25
attending. Specialised training on CPR and defibrillation
were also delivered to the local health professionals.
A combined effort from the whole team saw the local
children, parents and teachers educated on dental
hygiene, healthy teeth brushing, flossing and tips on
reducing tooth decay. Resources used in all education
programmes were subsequently left to the local
communities so that the knowledge can continually be
passed on to other members in the community in the
future.
Our lone bio medical technician CPL O’Grady did a fine
job locating and repairing medical equipment such as
suction machines and theatre lighting, for the various
health services on the atolls.
The dental team lead by CAPT Benic saw more than 60
patients in three days. Many of the children and adults
of the local communities benefited from exceptional
dental skills provided by this team. A number of dental
procedures were carried out including tooth extractions,
denture repairs and productions, as well as a number of
dental fillings.
Environmental Health
A small Force Health Protection (FHP) element headed
by Environmental Health Officer, Captain Bruce Campbell
and Environmental Technician, SSGT Paul Dunne,
deployed to Tokelau.
The FHP team was augmented by an Environmental
Health trainee, Private Carla Anderson and an RNZN
Leading Hydrographical Survey Technician (LHST) Kyle
Spencer. PTE Anderson gained a useful insight into
being an Army Environmental Health technician (EHT) and
proved to be a very useful additional pair of hands.
LHST Spencer, a geotech specialist, accompanied the
FHP team to map well water sampling locations, septic
tanks, and even shipwrecks. He also assisted the
Tokelauan authorities to accurately map local property
boundaries.
The work carried out by the FHP group focused primarily
on the chemical and microbiological testing of all public
drinking water supplies, and they advised locals on the
treatment of those supplies. All drinking water on the
atolls is supplied solely through rain water harvesting,
so ensuring its potability was essential. The Tokelauan
Authorities expressed concern regarding the possible
heavy metal contaminants from on-land activities thought
to be leaching into lagoons from disused domestic
waste disposal sites, shipwrecks, and military hardware
discarded after World War 2.
The team took samples of the lagoon waters to establish
the presence or absence of such contaminants which
involved long and arduous boat trips across the beautiful
crystal clear waters of Pacific Atolls. Tourists would pay a
fortune to do what we get paid for.
“Without the assistance of the locals we could not have
accomplished our tasks. Their hospitality, generosity and
good humour will last in our memories long after our sun
tans have faded,” said Capt Campbell.
TROPIC TWILIGHT
By CAPT Lincoln Nicholls, the NZDF medical officer on
Tropic Twilight
Twenty-eight Army personnel set sail on HMNZS
OTAGO last month to take part in Exercise Tropic
Twilight in Tokelau.
New Zealand has an ongoing commitment to
disaster relief in the South Pacific. Tropic Twilight,
a Humanitarian Aid Disaster Relief (HADR)
exercise, saw Defence Force engineers, medical,
dental and environmental health personnel visit
the atolls of Atafu, Nukunonu and Fakaofo from 19
to 26 July.
Working closely with the people of Tokelau,
the Defence Force carried out a number of aid
activities, including medical and dental training,
education on sanitation, as well as testing public
drinking water sources and completing minor
engineering projects. A detachment from the
Naval Maritime Survey Team (MSU also undertook
hydrographic surveys of the reef.
The exercise was designed to enable the
Defence Force to continue to improve its response
capability to disasters within the South Pacific.
It provided an opportunity for Defence personnel
to improve co-ordination with key NZ disaster
response agencies and also to build relationships
with New Zealand’s Pacific partners.
HMNZS OTAGO visiting each atoll and worked
with the people of Tokelau to help improve health,
sanitation and drinking water facilities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(MFAT) supported the work being carried out
with $200,000 worth of funding from the NZ
Aid Programme. Representatives from MFAT
and the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency
Management worked with Tokelau representatives
to test the Tokelau Disaster Risk Reduction Plan.
Four hand- operated warning sirens were also
donated to local residents.
Tokelau has a population of around 1,500
people spread out over three small atolls (Atafu,
Nukunonu and Fakaofo). It is accessible only by
boat from Samoa, some 500 kilometres away.
Sappers at work in the atolls
Army engineers deployed on Exercise Tropic Twilight
erected 32 metres of spouting, sealed several water
tanks, and installed down pipes at a local church to drain
into 300,000 litre water tank. They repaired spouting at
a local storage building, and trained local personnel in
certain engineering techniques
The sappers cut up a large amount of scrap metal on the
atolls, including a water tank , and taught locals how to
use acetylene gas torches.
Spouting was replaced, and electrical wiring improved
at Atafu School. A water catchment area was created,
a water pump installed at the hospital, and spouting
installed at a new school
A temporary workshop set up by the Kiwis
reconditioned local vehicles, repaired a Bobcat, and cut
scrap metal.
Other tasks included fixing door hardware, replacing
fluoro lights and fittings, replacing water pumps, and
repairing a toilet. Two water pumps were restored, a toilet
system replaced, and shelving installed in the local
police building. Generator room lights were installed at
the police station, and locals were taught how to seal
water tanks.
22armypeople
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
SOCIAL MEDIALOOSE LIPS MIGHT SINK SHIPS
The following table is a summary of Dos and Don'ts which are especially
applicable when using social media.
Do
Don’t
Remember that you are representing the Defence Force 24/7.
Assume that voicing your opinion as a private citizen won’t be
taken as speaking officially on behalf of the Defence Force.
Represent our core values.
Be inappropriate.
Remember that you are always on the record.
Breach security.
Ensure that you understand the use of privacy settings to
ensure personal information such as messages, photos and
preferences are protected and only viewed by those with the
right permissions.
Violate privacy.
Ensure that blogging and the submission of comments are
done with courtesy, respect, and accuracy.
Assume your comments will only be seen by your mates.
Use the Newspaper Front Page/Mother/Child test: would you
want them to see this?
aBe offensive.
Be aware that you may be asked to remove immediately any
postings and images that are judged to be inappropriate.
Use words, images or materials from others without gaining
their prior permission.
Consider carefully your choice of links, membership of clubs
and associations featured on blogs and social network sites.
Select with good taste, propriety and common sense in mind
so as not to offend.
Write about military issues beyond your area of expertise. For
example, if you are a Naval Engineer don’t blog about other
Services’ policies and politics.
Remember these sites are in the public domain. They are
prone to hacking and masking, and are viewable by anyone.
Be fooled about the security holes in some social media – a
Facebook friend’s account can be easily hacked and leave you
vulnerable to attack.
Get permission to post images taken on missions, in uniform
or showing Defence Force assets. Remember that the Defence
Force owns copyright to photographs taken while personnel
are on or off duty on military activity.
Infringe copyright
"Fancy hitting the Aussies for a
home run in Melbourne this Year?"
The Army men's and women's softball teams
will tour to Australia between 29 Oct - 6 Nov
2011. The Australians are hosting all NZ Defence
Force Service teams at RAAF Base Williams in
Melbourne. The tournament will also mark the 25th
anniversary of softball in the Australian Defence
Force. The Australians are expecting more than 250
participants, for what is shaping to be the largest
Defence softball tournament ever held. The NZDF
Inter-Service tournament will also be part of this
tournament, which is the first time it has been held
overseas.
The Army Inter-Regional tournament will be held in
Waiouru over 23 to 26 September 2011 when the
tour contingent will be selected. A tour training
camp will be held in Papakura, prior to departing for
Melbourne.
Key Dates
•
23 to 26 September 11-Inter-Regional
Tournament, Waiouru
• 26 to 28 October 11-Training Camp, Papakura
• 28 October to 6 Nov 11-ADF Softball Tournament,
Melbourne
Tour Co-ord: Corporal Bex Dymock 367-7841
Softball Code Chairman: WO2 Dean Groves 347-8028
Step up to the plate and face the
challenge ahead by:
•
Completing an Army Sports Nomination form signed by your unit CO/OC
• Send your nom to the tour co-ord NLT 29
August 11.
• Ensure you have a current passport
Operations Security, or ‘OpSec’, is about ensuring NZDF and
Allied partner critical information doesn’t fall into the wrong
hands. Critical information deals with facts about military
intentions, capability, operations or activities. Some examples
are:
• Locations and times of deployments and rotation
• Details of unit leadership
• Details around Security Procedures
• Information about an intended mission of a unit
Critical information is not always obvious or classified as
“secret” but if an adversary was to obtain it, the success of
our mission, the safety of our personnel and/or our reputation
could be jeopardized. The principles of OPSEC apply both
to NZDF's non-operational and operational activities. Most
importantly, successful OPSEC protects our people on
operations, whose success (and collective safety) often
depends on secrecy or surprise.
Being a member of the Defence Force family means you
are often privy to critical information. Please do not discuss
details over the telephone or the internet (that's emails, social
media and networking sites such as Facebook, Bebo, Twitter,
and other web forums). Be aware that written facts are not
the only danger; think twice before you place an uncleared
image depicting military activity on a social networking
site. We recommend you visit the Defence Communications
Group (DCG) sharepoint site on DIXS for NZDF's social media
guidelines.
Further, be sure not to discuss potentially sensitive matters
in a public places such as cafes or trains.
With the range of communications channels we can use
quickly growing, remember to stay alert, and be discreet
with the information you are privy to. If you are asked for
information you are not comfortable sharing contact your Unit
Security Officer (USO) in the first instance. Should the USO be
unavailable contact the Defence Security Division (DSyD) for
advice.
It’s an old fashioned saying, but Loose Lips Sink Ships still
applies today!
IMPORTANT NOTICE
ATTENTION: ALL INFORCE ALLOTMENT PAYERS
Due to system changes, Lumley
General Insurance, the provider
of the New Zealand Defence Force
‘InForce’ insurance scheme are no
longer able to accept allotments
as a payment method for your
insurance premiums. If you wish
to continue to pay in instalments,
you will need to complete a direct
debit form and return it to Lumley.
Your existing policy will NOT
be renewed if you do not change
to direct debit. To ensure your
belongings stay covered, please
contact Lumley immediately to
arrange the switch to direct debit.
There is no charge for setting up a
direct debit.
In order to make this change,
please contact the Lumley InForce
team immediately on
0800 4 INFORCE.
(0800 4 46367)
armySport23
PTI GRADUATION
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
The NZ Defence Force now has ten fully qualified
Physical Fitness Instructors (PTI s) following the
first graduation at the New Zealand Defence Force
Physical Education and Recreational Training School at
Woodbourne recently.
The students attended the tri-Service residential
course for 13 weeks, studying exercise physiology,
fitness testing, biomechanics, risk analysis, and
training programme design. They also completed a
major research project as part of their course.
This was the first course conducted under the new
organisational structure of the Defence Training
Institute, home to common training in the Training and
Education Directorate (TED).
Naval graduate Leading PTI Leroy de Beer said the
course was hard, but graduating had been the highlight
of his career. “The course deprived us of sleep but we
needed every hour possible to prepare for exams and
complete assignments. Time management was a big
factor and it was important to balance out the class
work and studying with some physical training to blow
off some steam!”
Graduate Corporal O’Shea Maihi of Waiouru says
camaraderie on the tri-service course was high, and
that “we gelled well”. He says he will use his new
skills to improve close quarter battle skills for Army
personnel.
“The other skill I’ve come away with is better time
management. I had to balance the workload to keep on
top of things,” he added.
Instructor Sergeant Ray Boardman said the advanced
course standards are high. “This is a significant
achievement for each of these students and they are
now key assets within the Defence Force’s Physical
Training trade,” SGT Boardman says.
Trophies were awarded to:
• Top Student: LPTI Marc Thomas
• Major Study Trophy: CPL O’Shea Maihi
• Practically the Best: LPTI Marc Thomas
• Most Improved: LPTI Leroy de Beer
START YOUR DEGREE IN HEALTH AND FITNESS HERE
DEFENCE PHYSICAL
EDUCATION &
RECREATIONAL
TRAINING SCHOOL
NZ ARMY PTI SELECTION BOARD:
ASPIRE: TO BECOME A LEADER & TO LIVE A LIFESTYLE
OF HEALTH & FITNESS?
CONTACT YOUR GYM NOW FOR YOUR START UP PACK.
STEP UP TO THE LINE
SEP 23-27 SEP 11
WAIOURU
24armySport
BOOK REVIEWS
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
OBAMA’S
WARS
– BY BOB WOODWARD
ROYAL NEW ZEALAND
ARMOURED CORPS
ASSOCIATION
National Reunion 2011
Christchurch
18 -20 November All former members of the Royal New
Zealand Armoured Corps are warmly invited to come
along, meet old Comrades and reminisce over Cambrai
weekend 2011. For registration of interest and a full
programme please email:
Ian Bolton: [email protected]
Reviewed by Commander Shaun Fogarty
‘Your sources are clearly better than mine’ declares President
Obama as he is interviewed by Bob Woodward for his latest
book entitled Obama’s Wars.
At a time when the world wrestles with the revelations by
Wiki leaks, Woodward’s most recent work continues to add to
the intrigue and insights of US National politics at the highest
levels. Woodward’s sources from within the inner circles of
the White House, Congress and the Pentagon, are convincingly
extensive and seemingly credible. The detail with which he
can recount and quote discussions at the highest settings
indicates a level of trust from those inside the current US
administration, many of whom view Woodward as the author
and historical authority of Obama’s time in the Oval Office.
Obama’s Wars focuses almost exclusively on President
Obama’s first year in office where he and his National Security
Council deliberated, some would say agonised, over a renewed
strategy for the War in Afghanistan. The young President had
campaigned that he would end the war in Iraq and focus on
what he believed to be the epicentre – Afghanistan. Having
taken bold steps to deliver on his Iraq pledge, Obama as
Commander in Chief now faces the stark reality of a war where
his forces are on the back foot, and where there is an urgent
need for a fresh approach to this war which is seen by many, in
particular the US public, as faltering.
Confronted with the US Military’s overbearing preference
for a counter-insurgency approach requiring significant
increases in troop numbers, Obama seeks to avoid any rushed
decisions, choosing instead to be deliberate and considered
in formulating a strategy that defines measurable goals and
a clear exit strategy for the Afghan war. Despite the lengthy
strategic review period, the pathways and options provided
by the US Military are viewed by White House staff as ‘boxing
in’ the President. At one point Obama reacts to his Security
Council by asserting ‘you’ve only given me one option –
that’s unacceptable’. Obama’s ultimate goal is how to hand
Afghanistan back to its own government’s security forces and
start the return home of US troops.
The lack of strategy and understanding of the Afghanistan
conflict during the Bush administration is a striking feature of
Woodward’s observations. Whilst the US has been focused on
Iraq, the War in Afghanistan has played second fiddle, underresourced and without a clear focus – something President
Obama is now committed to getting right.
The interplays of Obama, Vice President Biden, Secretary of
State Clinton and Secretary of Defence Gates are fascinating in
themselves. Obama had deliberated long and hard whether
to have Hillary Clinton as his chief foreign envoy, and had
surprised many with the bipartisan decision to retain Defence
Secretary Gates, a Republican from the Bush Administration.
Gates was seen as vastly experienced in Military affairs and
“Cry Havoc” – the ‘unofficial’ motto of the Royal New Zealand
Air Force Police Dog Section, of which Nigel Allsopp was a
member for some 15 years, is the title that he has given to
this comprehensive history on war dogs. If you are into war
dogs then this is the book just for you. If you are not that way
inclined, then, sadly, “Cry Havoc” may become a difficult read.
There can be no doubt that Allsopp has researched this
topic thoroughly. He has trawled the world to gain the past,
present and future of war dogs, be they dogs used by military
forces or by law enforcement agencies. Not being a war dog
enthusiast, I learned numerous things from the pages of this
book. For example, I now know that dogs are born deaf, but
during maturity, they exhibit a superior ability to locate the
origins of sounds. It’s obvious that the one dog that I ever
owned never matured; he always gave signs of being totally
deaf unless he heard the dog food being prepared! I learned
about the existence of the “Dickin Medal” – the animal’s
equivalent of a Victoria Cross and many other fascinating facts
and figures. Fancy some military forces actually painting dogs
to camouflage any white fur that they may have exhibited.
But, unfortunately, some of the facts and figures perhaps
were not that correct and this has let the book down. The
NZSAS were not in Malaysia in the 1950’s. The country was
then called Malaya. When I ‘Googled’ ”Devil Dogs” I found
that was the term given to US Marines by the Germans; they
were not actually dogs. Having patrolled the perimeter of
the Australian Task Force base in South Vietnam on many
occasions, not only did I never observe an Australian dog
out for its daily walk, but nor would I have ever expected
to see one. Perhaps that story may have been somewhat
exaggerated. I was surprised that, in the New Zealand section
of “Cry Havoc”, Allsopp had not made mention of the famous
dog “Freefall” owned by the late Major Albie Kiwi of the NZSAS.
Freefall probably spent many hours dangling from a parachute
and he certainly spent many hours on the run with his master
when they raced from North Cape to the Bluff. Unfortunately,
this book is riddled with far too many abbreviations (over 118
in just one short chapter alone) and far too many editing errors
that took just so much away from the contents.
Absorb everything that is contained in “Cry Havoc” and you
will be on your way to becoming the next “Mastermind”.
had a crafted ability in keeping his cards close to his chest
and playing them at the right time. Add to this mix the might
of the Pentagon, the CIA and the international complexities
of NATO and the national leadership of Afghanistan and
Pakistan, and you get a real sense of the enormity of the task
for President Obama.
Woodward also exposes some revealing, and often
problematic one to one relationships which further complicate
the information flows up to the President. Obama’s National
Security Advisor, retired General Jones, clashes with his deputy
Tom Donilan who will subsequently replace him, much to the
distaste of Secretary Gates who foresaw this as ‘a disaster’.
Admiral Mullens appears at odds with his deputy, Marine
General ‘Hoss’ Cartwright, over the military options being
put forward to the Security Council. CENTCOM Commander
General Petraeus holds little regard for the President’s senior
advisor David Axelrod. Obama would eventually look to
Petraeus to take command of the Afghanistan campaign and
replace General McChrystal who the President sacks after
his ill-fated courting of the media and subsequent Rolling
Stone magazine article which criticised the leadership in
Washington.
Obama’s Wars serves well to demonstrate the often complex
and sometimes adversarial relationship between the civilian
politburo and the strategic leadership of the military. Whilst
the book is focused on the United States, the lessons and
observations documented by Woodward are a stark reminder
to any Western government of the constant tensions and
priorities that decision makers face in strategic level decision
making, particularly in a time of crisis.
For this reason alone I recommend Obama’s Wars as valuable
reading. Those with an avid interest in the considerations
that political and military leaders contend with in the context
of their own National Security environment will find Bob
Woodward’s latest book a stimulating text.
Personally I found Obama’s Ways a fascinating read and hard
to put down once started. In a world where this sort of detail
and revelation will normally not be so readily available, you
quickly develop a sense of seeing ‘almost’ real-time history
playing out on the big stage.
Bob Woodward is a prolific author who has twice been
awarded the Pulitzer Prize, notably for his effort on reporting
the Watergate affair in 1973. He is a 39 year veteran of
journalism at the Washington Post.
•
Commander Fogarty is currently the Director of the
New Zealand Defence Force Command and Staff College.
He is a recent graduate of a Fulbright Senior Scholar
program sponsored by the US State Department
studying Political Science at the University of
Delaware.
CRY HAVOC
-By Nigel Allsopp
Reviewed by Colonel (Rtd) Ray Seymour
•
COL Seymour is a Vietnam War veteran and the Chief
Executive Officer of the Army Museum.
armySport25
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
2/1
BATTALION
WIN THE
ILLUSTRIOUS
LONE PINE
COMPETITION
“All or nothing” was the feeling that surrounded the
annual Lone Pine competition this year as the traditional
seven game week-long competition was decided over one
vital game of senior rugby in 3LFG. With this in mind both
units saw the limited opportunity they had and sought to
fight it out to the bitter end over the deciding match.
Seeing a chance to snatch the elusive Pine Cone, 1RNZIR
pulled their resources together and entered a well practised
team that has been playing in their local competition all year in
preparation for the big game.
A haka from the soldiers of 2/1 RNZIR was answered with
a rousing display from the 1 RNZIR team. Right from the kick
off 2/1 RNZIR’s speed and physicality were to the fore and
made going difficult for 1 RNZIR. Private Adam Jackson set
the tone with a storming 30m run flirting with the sideline to
set 2/1 up with a dominating start to the game. It didn’t take
long for 2/1 to find the try line with Corporal Emori Lodoviko
dotting down with a try out wide in the early minutes of the
game. As the half progressed 2/1 continued its dynamic
running rugby style and scored a further 19 points to secure
a 24-0 lead at half time.
1 RNZIR came out firing in the second half to avenge the
departure of their fearless leader Lieutenant Colonel Glenn
King, who made an early exit to the game due to injury.
This was enough to dwell 2/1 early in the second half and
saw potential for them to put some points on the board.
However with the 2/1 front row leading the way with a series
of storming runs up the mid field 2/1 was able to regain its
momentum and continue to put points on the board. 1 RNZIR
was determined however not to go down without a fight and
didn’t let up despite being down on the scoreboard. Some
aggressive running by their captain Sergeant Gareth Manson
created space for the 1 RNZIR backs to spread the defence
as they fought to try and finish the game with some tries.
Desperate defence from both sides kept the score lower
than some punters had picked as well as some Fijian style
catches a la Bala and Vana.
The final result saw 2/1 RNZIR take out the illustrious Lone
Pine for another year with the final score 41 – 0. Try scorers
of the day were CPL i Lodoviko, Major Logan Vaughan,
Lance Corporal Jeremy Bush, CPL Vernon Rudolph, CPL Aseri
Balawakula and PTE Fesili Fesili. Once the boots were off
both units were once again infantry brothers, enjoying each
others’ company till a respectable hour. Congratulations are
deserved for both teams’ efforts and good luck to all those
involved in the Corps Rugby competition. Thank you to both
Battalion Command teams for putting the event together
and keeping the tradition going for another year.
26armySport
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
By Lieutenant Laura Clague
New Zealand Army Women's Team 2011
A VERY GOOD YEAR FOR NEW
ZEALAND ARMY HOCKEY
Work pressures, overseas deployments, courses, and
field exercises combined to make a shortened Hockey
Regionals Tournament played in Palmserston North at the
end of June.
Despite being reduced in length, the competition was as
an immensely enjoyable time with the usual camaraderie
and exuberance being displayed both on and off the field.
The two days allowed for trainings in the mornings and
games in the afternoons. Numbers were slightly down this
year, but despite this the men’s competition comprised
two competitive teams: Central and Southern.
This year, Central managed to take the trophy off
Southern winning both games. The women couldn’t
quite field two teams and with a couple of men filling
in, the women’s games acted as a trial where the Army
Women’s coach, LT COL Rose King, was able to work
different combinations ahead of the up- coming Services
tournament.
As always the final function proved to be an eventful
night with the usual suspects making the most of the
celebrations. This year we were also fortunate enough to
have the Commander 2LFG, Colonel Howie Duffy attend the
awards presentation and naming of the Army teams. On a
promising note, eight new caps were named in the Army
men’s team, showing the potential growth in the sport.
Just over a week later the three services converged on
Palmerston North. It was Army’s turn to host this year
and under the guidance of Major Sara Marsden and her
support, Sergeant Kelly Carter, Corporal Rene Culver,
Captain Craig Thorne and Staff Sergeant Abraham Pourau,
a fantastic week was held. The only downer was the
rain and there was lots of it. Several times the “water”
turfs needed to be swept of excess water to make them
playable.
Off the turf there were two organised functions,
firstly a Superheroes night, with appearances from the
Transformers, the Captain Planet Crew, Zorro, Kung Fu
Panda, and Scooby Doo to name just a few. This was
followed by some tri-Service Sing Star rookie action which
was entertaining for all.
On the turf, with both the Army men’s and women’s
teams being the defending champions, there was some
pressure to perform. However, Army rose to the challenge
with the men winning their first two games: Army v Navy
5-2 and Army v Police 3-2. With the Navy beating the Air
Force, the final game was a must win for the men. After a
long 70 minutes of white knuckles and near misses, the
men beat the Air Force 3-2 taking out the Read Trophy
as overall winners for the tournament with Navy coming
second and Air Force third.
With a lot less tension the women too had an
outstanding performance. Once again we beat Air Force
(4-0) and Navy (7-0) taking out the Sam Kereama Memorial
Trophy as overall champions for the eighth consecutive
year. Individual awards for the Most Valuable Players of
the tournament were also handed out to two Army players,
LCPL Kat Wise and CAPT Thorne.
Overall it was another superb year of hockey! I encourage
all those who participated this year, all those who have
wielded a hockey stick years ago and all those who just
thought it might be a bit of fun, to come along in 2012,
meet some new people, cement some old friendships, play
a bit of sport and have a great deal of fun. I look forward to
another challenging year next year and hopefully another
Army clean sweep.
COMJ MAJGEN Dave Gawn chats with after the game.
PTE Leaver reaching for the ball
The Air Force goalie makes a save against the
NZ Army Women's Team
Number 5 reaches for the ball
The women’s team celebrate their win.
NEW ZEALAND ARMY
NETBALL REGIONALS
The winning Northern Regional Netball Team
By Major Tracey Mouat
The 2011 Army Netball Regional tournament was held in
Linton in July with representation from Southern, Central
and Northern teams. The tournament involved two days of
round robin play followed by a finals day.
After day one, Northern emerged unbeaten, and Central
was slightly ahead of Southern based on a goal countback
after the Central vs Southern game was drawn. Day two saw
Northern and Central emerge as the top two seeded teams
to challenge for the Inter-Regional trophy in the final.
The final was well-contested, with Northern ahead by
two goals going into the fourth quarter. However Northern
pulled away with the game to eventually take a well
deserved win 38-31, cementing the hold that Northern
have had on the Inter-Regional Trophy for the past four
consecutive years.
Overall, the week was very successful, and it was
particularly good to see that in these busy times each
region was still able to field a credible and full-strength
team which was reflected in the even matches throughout
the week. It is also good to see a high number of rookies
By Jeremy Drummond
Courage , Commitment, Comradeship and Integrity were
all on display at the Masterton Event Centre, with a charity
boxing night between the local police and fire service. Major
Ash Walker took part, representing Police on the night.
Major Walker who comes from a boxing background was
matched up against local Tongan fire fighter and “hard-man”
Alex Mahoaki who was coming off a convincing Round 2 KO
win in a previous fight night. Both fighters weighed in at the
heavyweight division at an equal 88 kgs
The fights consisted of three two-minute rounds and
were fought under amateur rules. The first round was off
coming through from each region, adding to the strength and
depth of Army Netball.
The prize giving was held on Thursday night, with the
following awards presented:
Inter-Regional Trophy: Northern
Most Improved Player: Private Jaylene Gardiner
Most Valuable Player: Corporal Justine Sinnott (runner up,
PTE Kim Maisely, 2nd runner up LCPL Kat Hori.
The evening concluded in the naming of the team
representing the NZ Army at the Interservice Netball
tournament 22-26 Aug, including seven rookies (R) named in
the team:
MRS Glenda Parata (Coach), SGT Te Huna Mahoni (R)
(Manager), Players: WO2 Wai Cross (Capt), PTE Talaitupu
Allan(R), MS Mel Chase (R), CPL Trish Cottier, 2LT Ash Hall, LCPL
Kat Hori (R), LCPL Mel Huihui (R), SIG Bridget Lake, MRS Kate
McGregor, PTE Kim Maisey (R), PTE Cindy Ries-Rupapera, CPL
Justine Sinnott (R).
We wish the team the best of luck for the inter-service
to an explosive start with Mahoaki throwing big “bombs”
obviously gunning for another early knock out. However
Major Walker boxed clever and kept his distance whilst
scoring well with good straight jabs to his opponent’s face.
Round 2 started and Major Walker picked up the pace as
well and increased the intensity in his punches, catching
his opponent with hard right hands to both the body and
head .
Round 3 continued the same as round 1 with Mahoaki
trying to stop the fight early., Major Walker however met
fire with fire and let go with some big right hands and clean
and hard combinations of his own, which started to take
effect on his weakening opponent. At one stage the referee
armySport27
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
Mrs Shar Sincock (Northern) accepts the
Inter Regional Trophy from LT COL Bill Twiss,
Chairman Army Sport
tournament and know they will represent the NZ Army with
pride.
At the prize giving ceremony, Warrant Officer Class Two Dave
Chambers was farewelled as the Army Netball Code Chairman.
Dave has done a mountain of work for Army and Services
netball over the past two years and his commitment and
enthusiasm for the role have put Army netball in good stead.
WO2 Wai Cross has accepted the role of NZ Army Netball Code
Chair for the next term.
Many thanks go out to the various people and agencies who
made the Regional Netball Tournament a success, namely,
Gordon Forrester for his guidance and assistance, regional
managers and coaches for the thankless task of getting your
teams to the tournament, WO2 Dave Chambers for his duties
as Code Chair, Lieutenant Colonel Bill Twiss for representing
Army Sport at our prize giving, the various Linton Support Staff
for making everything easy to plan and finally to the Chief of
Staff and Comd 2 LFG for their support of Regional Netball and
enabling the excellent facilities that Linton Military Camp has
on offer to be used.
was about to stop the fight, but decided to give Maohaki a
standing 8 count as Major Walker was starting to outclass and
hurt his tough opponent.
All judges agreed that Major Walker won the fight
convincingly with a display of good technical boxing as well as
some power punching. Referee Tom Dunn who is a well known
New Zealand boxing identity described Major Walker as a good
clean technical fighter, with a “bloody good punch”.
The whole night of entertainment which consisted of 11
fights, raised $42,000 for local charities “Blue Light” which
helps disadvantaged youth in the Wairarapa, and also Wish
Trust which is the local fire fighters trust established to help
burn victims.
MAJOR WALKER BOXES HIS WAY TO VICTORY
28armySport
issue 423 | AUGUST 2011
Second Lieutenant Amy Johnson in action during Army's recent hockey tournament.