Ranks Step Up
By W/O Jodie Boyd-Ewens
On Friday 15 August, the Air Force welcomed into its ranks 86 very enthusiastic new graduates from the 08/2 Recruit Course Graduation Parade.
New graduates.
This parade was the culmination of 13 weeks of military indoctrination, values and follower training. Over 300 friends, family and serving members also attended and the graduation included a two-ship Iroquois flypast from No 3 Squadron. Earlier in the morning, guests were invited to partake in an escorted visit through the trade training areas of Ground Training Wing (GTW) that the majority of the graduates will be heading onto after a stint of leave. This was followed by lunch in the Airman’s Mess for the 300 visitors, prior to heading over to the Graduation Parade at Command and Recruit Training Squadron (CRTS). It was reviewed by Commanding Officer Maintenance Wing, WGCDR Allan Jenkinson, who was also the proud father of AC Mathew Jenkinson, one of the graduates! After the parade the recruits put on a small drill display, and a very energetic PT display, that they had put together themselves. This was followed by an awe-inspiring conclusion: the RNZAF haka performed by the graduates and a number of other supporting RNZAF personnel.
Trophies were awarded to:
- AFCDTA T. Love (Medic) for the top all round recruit (she received the Lawson Cup and WOAF Coin);
- AFCDTA G. Walker (Avionics) for the top academics on course;
- AFCDTA L. Melville-Evans (Air Security) for the highest overall standard in active defence and range practices, as well as being the top female in PT;
- AFCDTA M Thomas (PTI) for being the top male in PT; and AFCDTA C. Campbell (PTI) for his display of determination, enthusiasm and morale building throughout the course.
This was one of the largest recruit courses conducted in recent years and, to meet the larger target numbers for it, RNZAF Recruiting carried out an exceptional effort to find the right people for the right job within a relatively short time-frame. The course could not have taken place without the tremendous support CRTS have, and continue to receive, from the wider Air Force units that provide personnel to assist Recruit Training Flight, and show our professionalism and teamwork towards a common cause at all levels.