Army cadets target Stratford
Urban training follows jungle stint in Fiji
Fiji and Stratford might not seem to have too much in common, but both places have been part of recent Defence Force officer training. Captain Jonty Hooson, senior instructor of the Field Wing at the New Zealand Army Officer Cadet School (OCS), says the 25 officer cadets spent a month in the Nausori Highlands in Fiji in July.
“That exercise was a field training exercise in a jungle environment, whereas the exercise in Stratford puts the cadets into an urban environment.”
The two exercises are a major part of the 11-month officer cadet course, he says.
“They are both designed to train the future leaders of the army, in a range of different environments and scenarios.”
The officer cadets are in Stratford until October 24, and people can expect to see them out and about
across the district, says Jonty.
“They are undertaking a range of tasks, including patrolling streets and running vehicle checkpoints. Kids are welcome to come over and say hello or ask them any questions when they see them around town.”
One highlight of the exercise was last Friday, says Jonty, when they held a community engagement day based in the War Memorial carpark where people were able to come and talk with the officer cadets and find out more about what they were doing.
For many youngsters it was a great end to the school holiday.
“I liked seeing all the different guns and looking at the display about their medics and the medical stuff they can do.”
Rebecca Robbertze, 8, was enjoying the chance to explore the event in the sunshine and said she thought it was cool to be able to meet so many members of the army on the day.
Blake Stieller-Caley, 6, was surprised to find out just how big the Mars-L rifle was that he was able to hold.
“It’s a lot heavier than I thought it would be. It would be hard carrying it all the time.”
Tamariki were also able to try camouflage face paint, taste test some of the ration packs and ask as many questions as they wanted.