Partners check out their soldiers' lot

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 432, 14 April 1992, Page 5

Partners check out their soldiers' lot

BY

JO

HOWIE

Wives, girlfriends and lovers of instructors and cadets from the Officer Cadet School experienced something of army life in the Waiouru Training Area last Wednesday. The Officer Cadet School (OCS) staff are running a 12-day midterm field training exercise for the senior and junior class of Officer Cadets. Wives and girlfriends were invited out for the day to experience a slice of army life on exercise. The co-ordinator, Captain Rob MacKie explained to the women about the exercise and he walked the visitors around a platoon defensive position and described the routine of living in a dug-in, defensive position.

The women said they enjoyed the opportunity to see what goes on in the field and that it gave them a better understanding of what their husbands do and talk about. The mid-term field training exercise occurs twice a year for the Officer Cadets. "It is a defensive exercise in which we try to develop leadership in the senior class through placing them in the position of command and for juniors, it's an introduction to basic soldiering skills. "For tactical activities the junior class are soldiers for the senior to command. In the defensive phase of the exercise the cadets construct fighting pits, conduct patrols and later, withdraw from the position,"

Captain MacKie said. He said the exercise is M very important for the senior class, they are assessed on presenting verbal orders, their command and control during defence when patrolling and in the withdrawal and their tactical knowledge in general. "As a group, the performance has been encouraging, with a positive attitude from the cadets. This was highlighted during the first few days of snow and blizzard conditions and the students continued to work hard despite these cold conditions. The Asian and Papua New Guinean students handled it very well." Captain MacKie said there have been a few changes to the exercise. The re-scheduling of occupation by daylight

rather than at night which has gained a day in training. He said he found the cadets need longer to dig in giving

more responsibility to platoon commanders. In the past, the exercise sequence of events has been strictly directed by

the controling staff and Captain MacKie said it appeared to be stifling the students' initiative. He said it was encourag-

ing to note the cadets have responded positively and as a consequence, are probably learning more.