Territorials into fifth week

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 231, 16 February 1988, Page 15

Territorials into fifth week

Bulletin reporter Julie Grantham followed up the progress of the four territorial officer cadets who featured in the Bulletin recently. Officer Cadets Andrew Elphick, Iwi Te Moana, Jenny Kinloch and Sandy Bell are part of a class of 34 cadets who enrolled in the seven week Territorial Forces commissioning course at Army Training Group, Waiouru in January. During the seven weeks, cadets are pushed to their limits, both physically and psychologically. The course places emphasis on physical fitness, leadership ability, academic excellence and team work. The aim is to give students the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare them for service as officers in the Territorial Force of the New Zealand Army and fosters the qualities upon which leadership depends. WEEK 5: Five weeks into the course, the number of starters has diminished slightly. Cadets have pulled out for various reasons relating to business commitments or personal reasons. Seven of the 31 remaining cadets have had final warnings issued them, meaning they face early discharge if they do not "measure up." Cadets are given every opportunity to help themselves in this instance, according to course instructor Captain Gordon Milward. Over the past two weeks

cadets have undergone a rigorous physical training programme to bring them up to army 'standard.' A grasp of military theory is considered just as important as being physically fit. Cadets are continually assessed throughout the course to ensure they are maintaining a reasonable standard in all areas. On the day we visited the cadets, they were part-way through 'Phantom Raider', a six day exercise that gives practice in advancing, attack, defence and ambush - the four phases of war. The exercise is conducted in both open and 'close'

hill country with cadets using live ammunition in a realistic battle setting. The aim of the exercise is to build up the individual's confidence and team work skills. It is also the ideal situation for instructors to study the cadets' actions in stressful conditions. After just three weeks in the care of the Army, the cadets all appear markedly fitter and mentally able to handle just about anything their instructors can throw at them. Part-way through Phantom Raider, most were near exhaustion but their new found confidence and determination made them go to their limit - and beyond.

Officer Cadet Jenny Kinloch recently had a personal triumph - she knocked more than a minute off her best time during physical training. Sandy Bell had experienced a taste of command as a unit leader and had proved more than capable at it. Andrew Elphick had suffered some minor setbacks, but even with 20 or so blisters on his feet he donned boots to take part in the exercise. Iwi T e Moana was manfully plugging along through an extremely demanding exercise that he had done all before and was making the best of it. With little to look for-

ward to - the next part of he exercise will be spent sleeping in dugouts in the ;round and eating Army ations - all were in re.narkably good spirits. 'Nemesis' - the most denanding exercise of all, stands between them and Graduation on 27 February. The results of their performances during this exercise are vital to the ultimate end of whcther they graduate or fail. All four cadets are by now aware of their individual weaknesses, and strong points. None will know however, until 27 February, whcther 'hey have made the grade. NEXT: Graduation.