Officer cadets work to keep uniform

Ruapehu Bulletin, 22 June 1993, Page 7

Officer cadets work to keep uniform

Cadets of the 18th Graduating Class of the New Zealand Commissioning Course have been faced with many challenges during the past 12 months, not the least of which was their struggle to retain the scarlet uniforms for graduation. Seven days prior to graduating the officer cadets were required to present a case to the Army Training Group Commander, Colonel Mortlock, as to why the uniforms should be kept. The uniforms are seen as not having a specific NZ military connotation and are considered to be inconsistent with the mainstay of the Army uniform, the lemonsqueezer hat. Despite this however, the graduating class were sufficiently able to impress the commander with the presentation of their case to retain the

red uniform for the Graduation Parade. A wide range of nationalities were represented on the commissioning course, including four Papua New Guineans, two Bruneian, two Australians and a Malaysian, along with 12 New Zealanders. The graduation week consisted of numerous events and functions. The week opened with a church service for the cadets and at twilight was followed by a 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony. Following the ceremony a cocktail party was held for the officer cadets and their families and the staff from O.C.S. The New Zealand Army Band gave an entertaining performance, playing a new programme while the corps of officer cadets paraded. The next day saw the official graduation cer-

emony. The Chief of the Defence Force, ViceAdmiral S.F. Teagle, was the reviewing officer for the parade. Major-General A.L. Birks, who holds the most senior officer appointment in the army

as chief of the general staff, was also in attendance. Upon his arrival Admiral Teagle was met by a Wero, a Maori challenge, signifying respect. In his address to the

cadets, Admiral Teagle noted the important role that wives play in support of their husbands when faced with professional challenges. Three of the graduating class were married. One of these men,

Officer Cadet John Harvey, received three of the eight prizes awarded on the day. O.C. Harvey received the Governor-General ' s prize for tactics and the Commandant's prize for a performance considered most deserving of recognition. Other prizes went to O.C. Ivan Timo, recipient of the Overseas Prize, and O.C. Vincent Copeland, recipient of the Sergeant Major of

the Army's Prize. An Australian officer cadet, Brendan McDonald, was awarded the Chief of the General Staff's Prize for leadership, as well as the Sword of Honour - the premier prize awarded to the officer cadet who best displays the qualities of leadership, initiative, integrity, motivation, academic ability and physical fitness, and who is assessed as having the greatest potential as an Army officer.