18 ARMYPEOPLE
ARMY STATE OF THE NATION 2020 Major General John Boswell, DSD Chief of Army 2020 is the year that challenged us in ways that nobody saw coming. When the year kicked off we were well positioned to deliver on many of the initiatives from the Army25 strategy – our roadmap to becoming a modern, agile, highly adaptive, light combat force was gaining real momentum. The year was shaping up to be a busy one that would build on the successes of 2019.
Then, in January 2020, we heard about 2019-nCoVm, the first case was found outside of its point of origin, and the WHO declared a global health emergency. In February, we started seeing restricted entry at our borders, and on March 24 – the day we were set to celebrate our Army’s 175th anniversary with a ceremony at the National War Memorial in Wellington – our country went into lockdown. In a few short weeks, Covid-19 changed our landscape, and we were quickly called upon to lend our support. The agility and adaptability that Army25 was seeking to enhance kicked in, and
has remained core to our activities over the remainder of this year. Despite the unexpected shift in focus, and our enduring response to our country’s most pressing need, our Army continued to work towards Army25. Work continued in training, equipping and supporting our people. Keystone projects, such as NEA and Protected Mobility, continued to push forward their planning and delivery, and we remained focused on the culture that makes us an inclusive, responsive and professional land force that’s truly trusted by our communities.
This article expands on the video message I sent out to members of the NZ Army in early December. It discusses what we have achieved throughout 2020, and highlights where we are heading in 2021 – a year that will continue to throw challenges our way as we get to grips with the ongoing effects of Covid-19 on our country and the world. Read it, digest it, and know that – despite the challenges ahead – we are continually moving forward toward the goals of Army25 and the outcomes it will deliver for you as part of NZ’s Army.
