Honorary Captains

In August’s Navy Today our story on the late Honorary Captain Andrew Leachman prompted a question: what are Honorary Captains? Rear Admiral Fred Wilson (retired), the former Chief of Naval Staff who revived the practice, explains what it entails.

The first Honorary Captain in the RNZN was created at the start of World War II, when an Honorary Mercantile Marine Liaison Officer was appointed to coordinate wartime procedures with the Naval Board. Honorary appointments were later expanded to include personnel appointed as Examination Officers at main ports. Harbourmasters from the four main ports were introduced in 1968, but the relationship was little more than respectful acknowledgement of their role. When I was leading the Anzac Ship Project in the late 1980s, I saw the opportunity to forge an effective link between the Navy and the community, with honorary appointments being the catalyst. Interacting with NZ industry and local and regional business and community groups on that project alerted me to both the lack of awareness in many quarters of what the Navy did and, somewhat quixotically, the number of individuals who were championing the Navy in their own quiet way without recognition. With encouragement and appreciation, I felt sure they could be even stronger advocates and informants. Importantly, they could also serve as inspirational achievers for young officers and ratings. When I was fortunate enough to become Chief of Naval Staff, I had the opportunity to resurrect the award of honorary ranks. After all, I reasoned, what was the point of all that power if I couldn’t abuse it? Because of the natural civilian association with the rank, captains seemed the appropriate vehicle to achieve easy recognition. The purpose was quite straightforward. It was simply to recognise individuals in the political, commercial or academic fields who had a specific relationship or affinity with the RNZN, or otherwise had provided exceptional support or model behaviour in some way. The award was recognised by the presentation of an officer’s cap, so the recipient could display a symbol of their affiliation. I was told later by many receivers that that cap was one of their most treasured possessions because of its simple yet powerful demonstration of appreciation. The list of those who have been made Honorary Captains is remarkable for the prevalence of the humble and the truly admired. It is enduring for its diversity and universality. It is respected because everyone on it, through their association, has helped make the RNZN a better service, by example or deed. He heramana katoa ratou. They are all sailors. In upcoming issues of Navy Today our Honorary Captains will be profiled.

Be the best you can be

On call as an IT engineer by day, while tending an Auckland ministry by night and weekends. It was a life of two halves.

Now newly graduated chaplain Glen Hemi Popata will embrace the full-time ministry of the Royal New Zealand Navy, as the latest chaplain based at Devonport Naval Base. CHAP Popata, of Ngati Kahu descent, grew up South Auckland, meeting his future wife at Onewhero Area School. After qualifying from university – which included theology studies – he worked in IT as his “day-time gig”, attending an Anglican ministry in Grafton, Auckland, in the evenings. “Serving others has always been the bottom line for me,” he says. “I had done a chaplaincy paper during my theology studies and long-term, I knew chaplaincy was always going to be something for me.” His move towards the military was something that fell into place. Like others before him, he was talentspotted. “A colleague of mine, an Army chaplain, said I’d be good at this.” Chaplains have to complete the 22- week Junior Officer Common Training (JOCT) as a midshipman, exactly the same course as other officer trainees. At 43 years old, a father and grandfather, he was a lot older than the others, but he wasn’t daunted. “Well, not initially. I was keen as, full of confidence. I had worked with youth, and I felt I could connect with young persons. My wife was very supportive – she could see I had skills in certain areas, and she knew I was good at connecting with people.” He did struggle at first. “The transition to military life was tougher than I thought. And being directed loudly by people half my age – some of them younger than my children – was a challenge. My oppos [classmates] were confident, very intelligent, and that was intimidating. You have to think quickly and on the spot. But I found my groove. Anxiety went out the window. I was definitely out of my comfort zone at first, but I think that’s an important way to grow.” The course, which ran through the Level 4 COVID-19 lockdown, was expanded to 27 weeks, with recruits staying in their ‘bubbles’ on base and doing work online. “Being unproductive was the hardest. Sometimes you’d think, couldn’t I be at home, and be useful? I’m used to being useful.” Graduation day for his class, JOCT 20/01 in July, was wonderful, he says. “It was great to get to that point. I came out feeling broadened in my own faith.” He will be formally inducted as a Navy chaplain later this year. As CHAP Popata settles into the base, he’s looking forward to reinvigorating the sports he enjoyed when he was younger. He’s signed up for netball, and wants to start up a spearfishing and diving club, with a side benefit of fellowship and talking about challenges. His advice to others following him? “Have an open mind, and be prepared to grow.”

Did you know?

There are three distinct aspects to the uniform worn by chaplains, all inherited from the Royal Navy. If you look carefully at CHAP Popata’s hat, the Officer’s badge is a gold outline filled with black, rather than completely gold. You may also see a black cloth on the rim of the peak (absent from a standard officer’s hat). Navy chaplains do not display a rank. Instead, they have a stylised cross with an anchor overlaid (pg 30). In effect, the chaplain is the same rank as the person they are ministering to, be it Chief of Navy or an ordinary rating.

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Flipping for Charity

A sailor with a penchant for physically extreme fundraisers has flipped a tyre for 21km to raise money for two Auckland foodbanks.

Last month Petty Officer Youth Development Specialist Albie Roebeck, in a rotating team of six, set themselves 12 hours to flip a 54kg tractor tyre around and around a 1.2km course at Ngataringa fields in Devonport. They reached their target in just under 10 hours, raising $2,619. POYDS Roebeck, an instructor at Youth Development Unit North, Whenuapai, says they were “packed out” with support from the Devonport community, with the team rotating two people every odd hour and three people every even hour. He had planned the event prelockdown, to raise awareness for mental health, but after lockdown he noticed the increased demands on food charities. He chose to support Otara Health Charitable Trust and the Salvation Army Waitakere, “two charities either side of Auckland”.

He’s probably not as sore as some of his previous events. In October last year he spent 60 hours punching a boxing bag, a yet-unconfirmed world record, to raise awareness around mental illness and depression. In the same year, he and a team did a 2.4km series of burpees, raising awareness around stress and anxiety. “It’s a different way of approaching these issues,” he says. “I’ve struggled with mental health at times in my career. But this is not about me. It’s about helping others, getting community involved, and giving these groups a platform to reduce stigma in mental health.”

Leaving on a high note

By LTCDR Sacha Belcourt

NZCF

The presentation of the sought-after Royal New Zealand Naval Association Trophy was a fitting farewell for Lieutenant Commander Craig Walecki as he stepped down as Unit Commander of TS ACHILLES (Auckland City) this month.

TS ACHILLES has been located in Ōkahu Bay, Ōrākei, since being commissioned as a Sea Cadet Unit in 1964. Since 2017, she has been under the command of LTCDR Walecki, NZCF, and his time in command has been one of the most successful. The unit won the Sea Cadet National Skills (Regatta) in 2018 and 2019 (this year cancelled due to the COVID-19 health crisis) and the Navy League Regatta in 2019. For the past three years they have been the Northern Area Sea Cadet Efficiency winners. It was the National Efficiency Award in the form of the Royal New Zealand Naval Association Trophy that completed the set, with TS ACHILLES taking the 2019 trophy. The trophy was presented to LTCDR Walecki by the Chief of Navy on 6 August (postponed from April due to the pandemic). LTCDR Walecki stood down as Unit Commander to take up the role of Staff Officer Operations and Plans with HQ NZCF. It was a special night for the ship, as the evening began with a presentation of a wahaika as the ship’s symbol of command. It was donated to TS ACHILLES by the late Beni and Roland Belcourt, who were instructors at the unit for 20 years. The presentation was made on behalf of the family by Beni’s nephew, Mark Smith. LTCDR Walecki first joined the Cadet Forces as a cadet at No. 40 (Howick) Squadron Air Training Corps and has continued his interest in flying by becoming an international pilot with Air New Zealand. In 2013 – when employment brought him

back to Auckland – he posted to TS ACHILLES and enjoyed the Navy Cadets so much that he officially transferred to the Sea Cadet Corps the following year and took command in 2017.

LTCDR Walecki said it has been a true honour to be a part of, and lead TS ACHILLES. “But I know the Ship's Company are in the very safe hands of LTCDR Belcourt and his officers; I look forward to following the Ship’s continued success.”

With LTCDR Walecki relinquishing command, TS ACHILLES’ Executive Officer, LTCDR Sacha Belcourt, NZCF, has been appointed the new Unit Commander. LTCDR Belcourt, who first joined the Sea Cadets in 1985 as a cadet, has experience across a range of Cadet Force areas and most recently was the Officer Commanding Maritime for Exercise CADET2020, held in Waiouru in January. “I am keen to ensure that young people are always well trained and are in the best position to experience everything that the Navy Cadets and the New Zealand Cadet Forces has to offer,” he said, after reporting for duty and being read his command directive.

Above: Chief of Navy RADM David Proctor and outgoing TS ACHILLES Unit Commander LTCDR Greg Walecki.

From the WON

Warrant Officer of the Navy

A N T O F F I C E R O F T H E W A R R N A V Y

“We are shipmates, we are oppos, and we are whānau. We all have each other's back...”

Mā te rongo, ka mōhio Mā te mōhio, ka mārama Mā te mārama, ka mātau Mā te mātau, ka ora

Through listening comes awareness Through awareness comes understanding Through understanding comes knowledge Through knowledge, come life and well-being This month we will recognise World Suicide Prevention Day. In my mind every day should be Suicide Prevention Day. We should consistently look out for our oppos and loved ones. I know life gets busy and chaotic, but we are never too busy to take time to sit down with a person in our ship, department, division or we care about and just ask ‘how are you doing?’ I want us all to look out for each other, be there for one another and remember there is nothing wrong with asking for assistance. That is what oppos are for! There are many resources available for each of us to use even if you just need to talk. I have used some of the resources myself. If you are worried about your or someone else’s mental health, the best place to get help is the Defence Health Centre, the Navy Community Organisation, our Padres, your GP, or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call Police immediately on 111. The Mental Health Toolkit, Mental Health Foundation resources, and the Defence Health internet site (health.nzdf.mil.nz) have more information on spotting the signs and supporting a mate. You can also contact these helplines directly for support:

NZDF4U: 0800 693 348 (confidential support for

NZDF community, available 24/7) or text 8881

Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)

Suicide Crisis Helpline:

0508 828 865 (0508

TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)

Youthline: 0800 376 633

Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7) Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7) Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)

Depression Helpline:

0800 111 757

We are shipmates, we are oppos, and we are whānau. We all have each other's back.

Wayne Dyke

Warrant Officer Communication Warfare Specialist

Back in the day...

“I was an enthusiastic smoker. When we had a family, I became even more enthusiastic about sticking around to see our children grow up... Whatever the reason, it’s a reason to stop.”

~ Commodore Mat Williams

Maritime Component Commander