Sergeant Major, but he's still not the boss

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 28, 10 December 1984, Page 3

Sergeant Major, but he's still not the boss

By

Mark

Casey

'Hands-on soldiering' is W.O.l Dave Hayward's description of his 33 years with the New Zealand Army. Later this week he toill take up his recent appointment as Sergeant Major of the Army, thus becoming the top-ranking non-com-missioned officer in New Zealand. This promotion necessitates a move to Wellington from his current residence at Army Training Group, Waiouru, but Dave and his wife Pam are no strangers to moving house. During nearly 26 years of marriage, they have made

their home in 18 houses and three countries. "When I married Dave I married a job as well as a man," says Pam, "but I've no regrets. In fact, I'd recommend marrying a soldier! "It's a comfortable lifestyle. Low rental and a steady income make for fewer financial pressures than many civilian families face." Both Dave and Pam are sure that the travelling has benefitted their three children (now adults themselves). "Although the houses changed, the family didn't," Dave maintains, "and that

stability allowed our children to become good at adapting to change. "Travelling broadened their outlooks and taught them to be good mixers. Though they went to an

average of ten schools each, they still did well academicijlly." Pam admits she has never liked the times Dave has been away from home, especially on combat duty. "But we've been well looked after by the 'regimental family' during Dave's absences. The other wives understand because they face the same problem, and the soldiers who aren't away help out by mowing lawns and doing odd jobs." While Pam is keen on tenpin bowling (not that there are facilities for it in Waiouru), Dave's special non-military interest is motor sports. Three years based in Singapore as senior weapons instructor for the First Battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, gave him the opportunity to compete on the South-East Asian grand prix and rally circuits. In his Formula Ford, sporting battalion colours and kiwi insignia, Dave earned the title of 'the fastest man on four wheels, in the New Zealand Army.' He considers his finest racing moment was finishing seventh in the 1972 Singapore International Grand Prix, an event Pam would neither attend nor

listen to on the radio because of its reputation for killing a driver a year. His appointment as Sergeant Major of the New Zealand Army is the pinnacle of a satisfying and successful career for Dave. He has been awarded seven medals, including the Meritorious Service Medal. In 1978 he was invested as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE). He saw active service in Malaya (1958), Borneo (1966) and South Vietnam (1 968). Over the years he has acquired qualifications as an instructor in a wide range of subjects including parachuting, demolitions, regimental signals and anti-tank weapons. Dave is looking forward to the challenge of his new appointment and is grateful to Pam for her constant support. "I've got the medals and the MBE, but I wouldn't have them without Pam. She's one of that special breed of dedicated Army wives, and a great cook into the bargain." His positions of command have given Dave a quiet selfassurance and an air of authority. Asked whether this carries over into his personal life, he has a ready reply. "There 's no doubt who the boss is in this house ... and it's not me!"