Father inspires daughter to take on challenge at RFMF

In 2015, Lance Corporal Ane Navunivere took on the challenge as a military officer to experience what is was like to be in a male-dominated institution.

The 24-year-old native of Narewa Village in Rakiraki, Ra was then given the task to prove herself to her family that no matter what circumstance came her way, she could still manage through the power of prayer and determination.

Four years later, Lance Corporal Navunivere

will for the first time be among 138 military officers from the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) that will depart for a one-year Peacekeeping Mission in Golan Heights next month.

The team will be deployed under the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) together with five Australian Defence Force personnel.

She said the six weeks of training was tough but it was through her father and brother who encouraged her to take on the challenge.

“During the six weeks of training it was very tough, it was very challenging because it is a male-dominated institution,” she said.

“My father, Sergeant Lekima Lawenitoakula was a former military officer and my brother Lance Corporal, Jale Radiva is also a military officer based at the RFMF Headquarters in Suva. They were the ones who inspired me.”

She said it was only through the power of prayer that she was able to overcome the challenges.

“This is my first deployment out of Fiji and before joining the RFMF I was the bodyguard for the former Speaker of Parliament, Dr Jiko Luveni for almost three years,” she said.

“I know that going for one year for Peacekeeping duties it is going to mould me and pave my path in the future years.

“The main thing I would like to achieve is experience from this deployment but I know it is a challenge for me and when I return to Fiji next year, I want to develop my career in the Military.”