Duke of Edinburgh scheme meets Army

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 428, 17 March 1992, Page 11

Duke of Edinburgh scheme meets Army

BY

JOHOWIE

Eleven Duke of Edinburgh (DOE) gold award holders are experiencing army life on Exercise Nemesis, which is run by the New Zealand Officer Cadet School for the junior class of cadets. This exercise tests their navigation, leadership, and physical endurance abilities and operates over five days. This is the second time the DOE scheme has been involved with army activities, following OCS staff instruction of a group of international DOE students at Lake Rotoiti two years ago. Colonel (retired) Jim Brown, the DOE Administrative Secretary, said the scheme has always had close associations with the Armed Forces and he hopes this will become an annual or biannual event. The 11 students were selected from 86 gold award holders to participate on this exercise. The students were expected to meet the same objectives as the officer cadet students. They were required to seek and navigate 22 check points and complete six command tasks. Within one activity they deployed with one day's rations and each group had to find their cache areas where they found their next ration packs. The male DOE students formed one group and the females integrated with the female officer cadets to form another. For the first two days the groups operated without assistance and the strong leaders were expected to emerge. The next two days staff directed leaders and the students were assessed on their leadership skills. Turnpage 12

Army experience

Frompagel2 The DOE Award was introduced to New Zealand 28 years ago. Over 5000 young people between 14 and 25 undertake the awards programmes and over 90 percent receive an award of bronze, silver or gold 44 students per year receive a gold award presented by the Governor General. The award is available in 58 countries, New Zealand has the highest involvement per capita and the highest percentage of success rate. It is a balanced programme of adventure, service and physical recreation and acquisition of skills present a challenge appropriate to the age group involved. This is so young New Zealanders are encouraged to make better use of their leisure time and develop a sound character, good citizenship qualities and an improved self image.

The award is funded by firms, trusts and individual donations and depends on the dedication and skill of 1200 volunteer helpers. OCS Staff said during the weekend before the exercise the DOE students went out into the training area to become familiar with army equipment. "Their navigation skills were assessed using our topographical map, and they were taught how to use compass and protractor. They had been issued with our field equipment, and were taught how to load packs, erect tent halves, cook our ration packs, field hygiene and how to carry a weight load of 25 - 30 kilos," said an OCS Warrant Officer. He said they were a very motivated group of young people and having the students was a good experience for the army.