Soldiers assist in Pacific

ISSUE 515 AUGUST 2020

NEWS

Soldiers assist 02 in Pacific CA on operation 03 Burnham

PEOPLE

Honouring an 04

Armistice Our new DCA 05

Commendations for Army pers Remembering PTE Manning

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23

TRAINING

Becoming a 15

Commando The Final Cut 16

CAPABILITY ARMY25 08

Electric utility bikes

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PROFESSION: A special job taking capable – to competent.

Tena koutou katoa! This is a good time to recognise the many people across the Army, both Regular and Reserve Force supporting OP PROTECT. Each of you and the teams coordinating these efforts continue to enable the government agencies leading New Zealand’s response at and beyond the borders. There are a host of New Zealanders who value the service you’re providing. The professional conduct, the leadership and presence of a trusted uniform, a friendly acknowledgement or a helping hand. These are the stories that have echoed over many a forum – so thanks to you all.

While we acknowledge the work, CA and I appreciate the challenges experienced in your teams and units as we balance the needs of readiness and our response obligations. This is a long patrol and one we will have to adapt to as things evolve. Things will become busier in the coming months and for a time unknown, we don’t control that element. I want to help reassure you that we are prepared for this and it’s our responsibility to ensure fellow Kiwis are protected.

By Charlene Williamson

For the third year in a row, Army trucks have been collecting hundreds of desks, chairs, books, stationery, clothing and other essentials for the Pacific Island Hope Mission.

Mission directors Jason and Sandy Watson, who started the project in 2017 after a visit to Samoa, approached the Army early on for help to transport and pack the donations.

“We thought this would be a great opportunity for developing community spirit,” Mr Watson said. This is our profession.

In this third SMA instalment – it’s a natural segue to write about the profession of arms and about what it means to be a member of the land force. What sets us apart from other professions?

Many will know the characteristics of a profession but here are some unvarnished thoughts. We subscribe to a set of values and a role like few others. We are driven by a strong culture and traditions, and we are guided by ethical standards and stringent governance. We all contribute to bettering the profession through education, training and continual improvement, and we each choose to serve the people and a higher calling. While our Police carry firearms to protect, we bear arms as a vocation. Maybe the most poignant attribute is that we, alongside our Police Force commit to the ‘unlimited liability’ of injury or loss of life in the service of the nation. Tough words and we rarely talk of it. I raise this as the backdrop to something I find important as Sergeant Major of the Army – and that’s professional competence and character. Chief of Army speaks of the character aspect often, to me that’s about being a good person first while aligning to the aspects mentioned above that make us a profession. But to be a professional – we must move from capable to competent. “The Army are well organised, reliable and fantastic at the logistics in planning when we gave them our ideas. We are so encouraged by their input. It means so much to us as we can’t do this on our own.”

Lieutenant Melissa De Lange said they are more than happy to help such a cause.

“We were thrilled when the Watsons asked us again to assist with this task again, we also helped in 2018 and 2019. It is a privilege to be allowed to support the community in this way again. For you that’s about doing what only land-soldiers can. While we each attest for different reasons and passions, our point of difference as soldiers (Toa) is the capacity to direct and exert military force in the conduct of our missions. I tend to use ‘combatives’ as the baseline of soldiering. Whether its hand to hand, arms, electronic and cyber attack or throughout the spectrum of effects – we must be professionals in the tactical arts. This means having the mantra of, ‘Think, Shoot, Move and Operate’.

I reference think first – to ensure we understand that arts start in the senses and the brain, but they are effected through our hands and tools we employ. We must be able to move and manoeuvre in all terrains, and we need to be capable of communicating, medicating and operating on our worst days. As you go forward in your careers – continue to think about competency in trade and mastery of self. Get after it.

WO1 Wiremu Moffitt 16 th Sergeant Major of the Army

“The drivers were very excited to use their military skills to help the charity and it wasn’t hard to get volunteers who showed their desire and commitment to help the local community,” Lieutenant De Lange said.

“We look forward to working with Jason and Sandy again in the future, we are all very impressed with their work for community in Samoa.”

The team provided two HX77 Medium Heavy Operational Vehicles (MHOV) to move the shipping containers and two HX60 MHOVs with 20 soldiers to assist

5 Liner: SMA’s Podcasts

There are so many to choose but here are five favourites worth a listen on your way to or from home. 1. The Cove – The Australian

Army, Podcast. 2. SITREP – Defence Explained.

Key Defence and Security discussion from the UK & abroad. 3. Original Freedom – Two SOF members giving a grounded perspective on leadership & life. 4. Wavell Room – Higher level thinking from some serious leaders. 5. Modern War Institute (MWI)

Cover: Comradeship and commitment: Medic LCPL Lara Dessoulavy carries a soldier to safety during Exercise Final Cut. Photo: CPL Sean Spivey

NZArmy

NZDefenceForce

The Army News is published for the Regular and Territorial Force and civilian staff of the New Zealand Army.

Editor: Judith Martin Ph: 021 240 8578 E: armynews@nzdf.mil.nz

www.army.mil.nz

Printing: Bluestar, Petone. Design: Vanessa Edridge, DPA, NZDF Editorial contributions and letters are welcomed. They may be sent directly to Army News and do not need to be forwarded through normal command channels. Submit them to The Editor, Army News, DPA, 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.

SOLDIERS ASSIST IN PACIFIC ISLAND HOPE MISSION

Soldiers from 3 rd Combat Service Support Battalion at Burnham Military Camp have provided a crucial link for a local community charity delivering donated goods to Samoan schools and churches.

Podcast – At West Point. in both collecting and packing the shipping containers.

Mr Watson said they couldn’t have delivered the goods they have without the Army assistance.

“They are amazing and we are so grateful for their kindness as this is so big for us. We never imagined that a little island holiday would develop into a mission helping people in this way,” he said.

The New Zealand High Commission in Apia recently granted the Pacific Island Hope Mission funding to help with freights cost over the next two years.