“Personal interactionandpeopleskills aresomething that Iwouldurge theyoung menof today toworkonanddevelop.” Winston Cosgrove
me to develop and refine my own leadership style, and has given me opportunities I feel have set me up well, whether I choose to remain in the organisation or eventually leave and try my hand in the civilian world. What has been your most testing challenge in the Army? Deploying on live operations is a huge challenge, no doubt about it. However, with a cohesive and supportive team around you, it’s a challenge that feels very achievable and welcome. The biggest challenge for me so far would have been my very first day as a new platoon commander, meeting my new team of 30 or so soldiers, many of whom had been in the Army for a long time and had a great deal of operational experience. The initial challenge of having to immediately “plug and play” as their new platoon commander, gain their trust and respect, and build a confident and high-performing team was pretty daunting. At this stage I would like to remain in the Army for many years yet. I thoroughly enjoy my job and the environment I work in. I look forward to deploying on operations again in the near future, as this is the ultimate goal that training builds up to. I am also looking at completing my tertiary studies through the Army, all while balancing family life. How do you adapt from civilian to military life? The change from civilian to military life can be very intimidating, and definitely during What are your career goals?
the initial stages there is a sense of “shock of capture”, where you’re forced to learn a huge number of new skillsets and assimilate to a new environment in a short space of time. I believe if you give it your all and come into it with a decent attitude, knowing that you want to be there, you’ll have no issues at all. It’s a unique and often challenging lifestyle, but it is also very rewarding. What do you think are the most important attributes for a young man today? Being self-confident and backing yourself, all the while tempered with a degree of humility. Personal interactions and people skills are something I would urge the young men of today to work on and develop. It doesn’t mean we all have to turn into super-outgoing extroverts (I know for certain that I'm more introverted by nature), but being able to give a confident handshake and have an honest discussion with someone eye-to- eye is a valuable skill to have. What is your advice to College students today? Don’t be afraid if you haven’t found your calling when you leave College. There is still plenty of time, and many opportunities that are yet to present themselves to you. Don’t be afraid to make changes, and head in a different direction to follow your passions.
What skills and abilities do you need and what opportunities does a military life provide? There are obvious attributes – physical fitness, a sense of adventure and a love for the outdoors. I would say “people skills” and the ability to work in a dynamic team environment are just as important, if not more. The Army, in particular, is a very people- based organisation. Soldiers need to be able to work hard for their mates and their team to achieve the mission, and their leaders need to be able to inspire confidence in their subordinates and lead those teams to accomplish the task. Physical resilience and mental toughness are key attributes at all levels, and a touch of maverick and creative thinking here and there is a useful tool also – within reason! The opportunities the military life provides are huge. In my roles as an infantry officer, the training I have received with regard to planning and decision making under pressure, personnel management and overall leadership has been massive. Not only that, but the opportunity to then put these teachings into practice daily in training, then ultimately on live operations, both within New Zealand and overseas, has been a unique and rewarding experience. The Army has allowed
College Issue 35 2018
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