ANNIVeRSARY AIR SHow! - Royal New Zealand Air Force

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community support by wing Commander brett marshall, Commanding officer yDu, Burnham Military Camp YouTh DEVElopMENT – noT A RoLE FoR DEFEnCE? IT wAS AT A FUNcTIoN oNe THURSdAY NIGHT wHeN I FoUNd MYSelF beING “cHeST Poked” bY A YoUNG oFFIceR. He wAS ASkING Me wHY, wITH All MY AIRcRew TRAINING, I wAS woRkING AT THe NZdF YoUTH deVeloPMeNT UNIT (YdU). “SIR, YoU’Ve GoT All THIS eXPeRIeNce ANd THe AIR FoRce HAS INVeSTed A loT oF TIMe ANd MoNeY GIVING IT To YoU, bUT YoU’Re NoT USING IT”. I was surprised at his view and replied that I was a military officer first and it was my generic military skills that were being used, just like any other member of NZdF who finds themselves in a role out of their core trade. I realised he seemed to have more of an issue with NZdF being involved in Youth development … “why Sir, when the NZdF has significant financial and personnel issues are we spending money on, and posting people to, YdU?” I explained that the lSV company had been tripled in size by the government three years ago, and YdU formed, due to the success of the programme. And the reason it is a success is because of the skill set that only military people bring. Getting individuals to work together and reach their potential inside a very structured environment is what the 34 Air Force news military does so well and why we, and not a civilian organisation, are doing it. “but surely civilians could do it?” he said. I reiterated that it was our military skill set, and the environment we create, that make the difference for the type of young people we run courses for. I tried changing tack and asked him why we were in Afghanistan, east Timor and the Solomons? “because the government wants us to be,” he said. “Same reason we are involved in youth development,” I replied. I then went on to say that in Afghanistan, east Timor and the Solomons, as well as the many other places we are posted to around the world, we apply our military skills to make a better future for the people that live there. The difference with YdU is that we, the NZdF, are using our military skills to make a better future for our own young people. The young officer came back with: “but what about all the money we are taking from the front line to fund YdU?” I then made him aware that 80% of the funding for YdU (including wages) comes from the Ministry of Social development and the Ministry of education, something he was unaware of. There was much more I wanted to tell him about YdU—it’s making an awesome difference to the lives of thousands of young New Zealanders. Young people who have not had the choices in life that many of us have had (and we often take for granted). In fact, for many, circumstances outside their control have forced them down difficult and painful pathways. I can tell some amazing stories of lives turned around, whether it be through the lSV programme, or via YdU’s Youth life Skills teams—which provide support to the 27 Service Academies in High Schools throughout the country, run courses for Police blue light for youth at risk, and support child Youth and Family in running the Military style
Activity camps for young offenders. There is the story of Tania*, a young woman on an lSV course who confided to staff about serious abuse she and her siblings were suffering in their home environment. Through our contacts with Police and cYF, intervention occurred and the young woman and her siblings were removed from that heart-breaking environment. The fact that it was only on an lSV course she felt safe enough to confide to someone speaks volumes for those who work here. Unfortunately Tania’s story is not that uncommon. Then there was Aroha*, a young woman who arrived at an lSV course in her gang colours. She was incredibly negative with a hostile attitude towards authority, especially police, and she would often use very colourful language to describe them—as our police mentor discovered (a police mentor is employed for the last three weeks of every lSV course). Aroha changed amazingly and the day before she graduated she went shopping with the female police mentor, because she didn’t want to go back home wearing her gang colours. what about Sam? He attended an lSV course in 2010 and even wrote to the Prime Minister about his experience [see sidebar]. working at YdU is one of the most rewarding postings I have ever had. The opportunity to make a significant difference in a young persons life, which means not only their future, but their children’s future, will be so much better than they could have imagined, is incredibly satisfying. This year over 1500 young New Zealanders will attend an lSV course, and well in excess of 1000 will attend one of the courses run by our Youth life Skills teams. I am incredibly proud of the work the NZdF is doing through YdU and I have seen the changes it makes first-hand. I know that there are many who are doubtful of defence’s involvement in Youth development. I challenge the doubters to visit a unit and see first hand the work of the staff—and of the changes being made for so many young New Zealanders. better still, volunteer for a posting to YdU! but if you are still not sure, then I’d be happy to discuss it with you! * Not her real name Indoor rock climbing provides a good team-building challenge community support ExTRAcT FRoM A lETTER To ThE PRiME MiNiSTER * kia ora John, This year [2010] I participated in the limited Service Volunteer (Two Platoon). This experience changed me from a negative statistic to a focussed individual who wants to contribute. I started smoking drugs when I was 13 and involved in a lifestyle that was disengaged. I walked away from education with little qualification. The re-occurring story was lack of desire and responsibility in my life. I also started a young family and things were rocky at home. From whanau I heard about [the lSV scheme]—I started the programme in July 2010. The first day was a shock. Sergeant Major wallance [and the others] provided a real turning point in how I saw myself. I gave up smoking, focussed my thinking and actually got myself motivated…. The best thing is that this change is here for good. I have taken the habits and motivation in chasing job opportunities… but the biggest change is how I feel about myself and my role as husband and father. limited Service Volunteer made a real difference in my life. cheers, Sam Henry * Reproduced with permission. in Afghanistan, East Timor and the Solomons ... we apply our military skills to make a better future for the people that live there. The difference with YDU is that we ...make a better future for our own young people Air Force news 35
Page 1 and 2: ANNIVeRSARY AIR SHow! FIGHTING SPIR
Page 3 and 4: First word First Word By Air Vice-M
Page 5 and 6: The chief of defence Force has laun
Page 7 and 8: Rear Admiral Steer, VcdF and AVM St
Page 9 and 10: SECoND P-3K2 ACCEPTED on 16 March P
Page 11 and 12: The tail of Hercules NZ7004 checker
Page 13 and 14: Air Movements personnel at work: lA
Page 15 and 16: Antarctica seen from a c-130 cockpi
Page 17 and 18: celebrating 75 Years of service to
Page 19 and 20: wwI dogfight; the Fokker dVII ( r)
Page 21 and 22: The c-17 on a slow pass with flaps
Page 23 and 24: A No.3 Sqn Iroquois is crowded with
Page 25 and 26: one of the warbird stars of the RNZ
Page 27 and 28: y simon gault ThunDER MuSTAnG! why
Page 29 and 30: Air Force Photographers corporals b
Page 31 and 32: dUMbo dIARY, RoYAl New ZeAlANd AIR
Page 33: y FlTlT lee bradford RNZAF personne
Page 37 and 38: Avionics Pirates meet a watery end
Page 39 and 40: The 75 Years of the RNZAF stamp iss

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