SMA.NET LOOKING BACK

fatalities, continental America was struck by tornados, hurricanes and blizzards, and among many global humanitarian crises, the illegal war in Ukraine persisted and lives continued to be lost. It made me seriously reflect on the necessary role of armed forces in the protection, security and defence of those in need.

Purpose. People finding and defining purpose is essential to a productive life. As SMA, it’s one of my few ‘pet peeves’ when soldiers tell me they don’t have purpose (reason for being) or worse, leaders, or a command has not directed one. From just a moment of research we can draw various examples from many walks of life. The Welsh city football clubs (Wrexham AFC’s) bus driver finds passion in conveying ‘their’ team to games (see Disney it’s a laugh); a desk-bound Cryptographic specialist at NSA knows she keeps forward intelligence officers safe; the S&S rigger in RNZAF Whenuapai saves the life of a parachutist every jump. The point is, it’s not the size or importance of a responsibility that determines its value, but the contribution your part plays in the outcome or military effect.

As this year kicks off, I wanted to provide a perspective and maybe some initial ‘shape’ to your important roles in Army. I seek to remind you of the importance of purpose and a straight-forward way to derive it. To do this I’d like you simply to ask two questions:

“What is the role and function of my organisation, unit or team?” and “what is my part in that?”

Sounds familiar right!

The NZ Army’s purpose is to advance NZ’s interests on land. As a system we are tasked to train and sustain, ready Land Forces that provide our Government enduring policy options. Together the fundamental role of land power is to shape, deter, and, where necessary, defeat threats. Our purpose seems pretty clear to me.

If you can link your primary job to the goals of your unit, you have a purpose, and you’d be surprised what clarity that brings. An established identity and clear purpose in the land force will help you wake up every day. It will entice you to put the uniform on and to be focused and productive in your very important job. We are Ngati Tū.

Get after it. SMA

Troops bathing in Hutt River, 1915–18. The spot became known as Soldiers’ Pool.