Colonel reflects on Waiouru command

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 373, 12 February 1991, Page 5

Colonel reflects on Waiouru command

If the Army cuts back on spending, Waiouru will grow. If the Army increases spending Waiouru will grow.

That view was expressed by Army Training Group commander Colonel Phil Maguire in an interview with the Bulletin last week. Colonel Maguire was reflecting on his command of the Waiouru camp over the past two years. He leaves Waiouru and the Army next month. "Waiouru is the heart of the Army, it is the largest training area and the largest camp," said Col Maguire. Either scenario, an increase or decrease in spending, would see the Army

maximising its use of the, land in its defence training, he said. "Waiouru Camp at the moment has a bright future and it and the community will continue to expand." He said the support services in the area will grow along with the camp. Col Maguire said his decision to leave was made some time ago and was a case of leaving on a high note. His first step back into civilian life is with a personnel company in Auckland. Mr Maguire said his next move if he had stayed in the Army would have been back to staff headquarters and away from direct command, which did not appeal to him as much as his new challenge. "I found this Waiouru command to be a very stimulating and challenging, and rewarding posting," said Col

Maguire. "I've been fortunate in living through the decentralization of responsibilities in the Army and particularly financial responsibility." He said he has had the ability to set priorities for work in the camp and see that work through to fruition, all the while working through cuts in budgets. "We are continually having to refine our financial management practices with a view to getting the maximum service for our dollar," said Col Maguire. "Army COs are mere and more

finaneially aware and accountable these days." "And it is an excellent thing as long as it is possible for the CO to remember his raison d'etre which is commanding men and women through their training." Family While Col Maguire says he has had the full support of his family through his military life and that the family has enjoyed the time, the move to Auckland will reunite the family and enable him to give them opportunities they haven't had up until now. He said of his wife "Paula has been the very best sort of service wife. Extraordinarily supportive." He said she had put up with all sorts Army requirements of him, including saying goodbye to him after just six

weeks of marriage for a 13 month tour of duty in Vietnam, and later giving birth to their second child while he was away attending a training course. They have been separated from their oldest son, who is 19 and attending a hotel management course in Auckland, since 1987. Their move will see him living with the family again. Paula Maguire leaves behind a number of responsibilities that she has shouldered through her Waiouru time. A main task as the com-

mander's wife has been to look after and entertain the many visiting VIPs. She has been an active member of the Women's Federated Farmers group and a patron of the Plunket Society. Community "My thanks goes to the community for their support to Waiouru and help in looking, after VIP visitors, often at short notice," said Col Maguire. "In particular Titoki Point Gardens and Turoa Skifields, and the support and co-opera-tion from Garrick Workman and the Ru-

apehu District Council." Col Maguire's military career started with a Sandhurst graduation, included a time as platoon commander in 1969 in Whiskey Two Company in Vietnam. He completed four tours of duty with the 1RNZIR Platoon as platoon commander, company second in command, company commander and battalion commander. He attended Staff College in Queenscliff, Victoria Australia and Joint Services Staff College in Canberra. Before comirig to

Waiouru Col Maguire was commanding officer 1RNZAR in Singapore, the last person to serve in that position. He oversaw the retum home of the Singapore battalion to Linton. He said that task was challenging but quite sad at the same time and quite emotional remembering the past. "We left behind a lot of history and some of the soldiers buried after battles in South East Asia." Col Maguire said the return home was a large logistical exercise with a significant tonnage of

stores, a large number of personnel and families and a large amount of real estate to hand over to the Singapore Government. He said he can see the political and practical reasons for bringing the Battalion home but that he has reservations about the Army being able to retain the same skill levels in operating in that type of area. "It's one thing to be there, and quite different to be based in New Zealand and train there," he said. "One day we may be needed in that region again."