Teenagers get taste of army life
They get to wear the uniform, live in the barracks and see if life in the army or air force might be for them – 60 teenagers from throughout New Zealand are spending a week at Linton Military Camp.
Air force Flight Lieutenant George Hercus said it was one of nine pre-recuitment programmes the Defence Force held each year.
Hercus, who’s in charge of the programme, said every school in New Zealand was asked to nominate students who showed leadership potential.
Students were then selected to spend a week on base living in the barracks, wearing uniforms and attending demonstrations, along with some hands-on experience in each speciality in the army and air force.
Hercus said the programme benefited everybody involved. The teenagers got a fun trip, and to see if day-to-day military life was really for them before making any commitments. The Defence Force got a steady stream of enthusiastic recruits who had a good idea of what they were signing up for – about half would end up joining.
Hercus said it certainly worked on him. He’d taken part in the same programme just over a decade ago, and went into the air force as soon he could. ‘‘I’m still mates with some of the guys who did it with me, and a lot of us joined up together.’’
Manaia Apiata, 17, put her hand up for the trip after her careers adviser at Kuranui College suggested she might like joining the Defence Force.
Apiata said it made sense – she kept pretty fit playing netball, football and cross-country running, and the military appealed to her.
‘‘I like the idea of getting paid to travel, and learn new skills.
‘‘I’m thinking of joining the army. I haven’t really looked at the other [branches] yet, but this has been good for that.’’