Wellington College Old Boy One of 25 Graduates

16 December 2011

Wellington College Old Boy One of 25 Graduates

Twenty-five Officer Cadets graduated from Officer Cadet School on December 7, having successfully completed 12 months of rigorous training.

Family and friends of the graduating cadets, New Zealand Defence Force staff and overseas dignitaries attended the graduation ceremony at Waiouru Army camp. Army Chief Major General Tim Keating, Land Training Doctrine Group Deputy Commander Colonel Paul King and Land Component Commander Brigadier Mark Wheeler, ONZM, were also present.

At the graduation ceremony, the cadets, accompanied by the New Zealand Army Band, performed a series of parade drills which they concluded with a rousing haka.

Ten major prizes, including the Lieutenant Tim O’Donnell, DSD, Memorial Leadership Award and the Sword of Honour, were awarded.

The graduates will commence training with their corps in January.

Former Porirua and South Auckland resident, Sione Stanley, was one of 25 Cadets who graduated from the Waiouru based Officer Cadet School on December 7.

Prior to joining the Army, Second Lieutenant Stanley (26) had a diverse employment background, working in various retail and banking roles, whilst concurrently completing a Health Sciences Degree from the University of Auckland. 2Lt Stanley also worked with a number of charities, including the Heart Foundation, Child Obesity intervention and TYLA (Turn Your Life Around).

2Lt Stanley’s decision to join the Defence Force was based on a desire for a career with variety and something that was ‘outside the box of a normal job’. Furthermore, 2Lt Stanley’s brother, 2Lt Joseph Stanley is also an Officer in the New Zealand Army.

2Lt Stanley was humbled when he arrived at OCS at the beginning of the year, ‘realising he was not as good as he thought he was’. The biggest learning that 2Lt Stanley will take away from OCS is ‘striving to be better and always setting high standards – as that is what your soldiers expect of you’. 2Lt Stanley enjoyed his time at OCS, however, one particularly difficult exercise challenged him. “We had an informal SAS brief prior to the exercise We learnt about two types of people. Those who work hard when they are being watched. And those who work hard consistently.” Moreover, 2Lt Stanley says being away from his partner of 5 years was tough.

2Lt Stanley has been posted to the Intelligence Corps. As part of his posting, he will spend time training with the Signals Corps.

2Lt Stanley is looking forward to a long career with the NZ Army, and aspires to reach the senior ranks. Also on the horizon are overseas postings.

2Lt Stanley wants to extend a challenge to other Maori and Pacific Islanders who are considering a career in the New Zealand Defence Force. “If you really want to test and challenge yourself. A career in the NZDF will definitely deliver on that.”

ENDS

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