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13 February 2007
New recruits must be keen to train, exercise and deploy
The new Commanding Officer of the 2nd Canterbury Nelson Marlborough West Coast Battalion Group, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Sinclair, would still be doing his nine-to-five job in overalls if it weren’t for joining the Army’s Territorial Force.
Instead, he says being a reserve soldier gave him the skills and confidence to move into management in his civilian career. He is now the National Health and Safety Manager for Crane Distribution, which owns brands such as MasterTrade and Mico Plumbing and employs nearly 1,200 staff over 130 sites.
“If it hadn’t been for the Territorial Force I would most likely still be wearing overalls and working as a tradesman, as opposed to moving up into the managerial ranks”, he says. “As well as the training, the Army gave me confidence and self-belief, and showed me what I’m capable of.”
LT COL Sinclair takes command of the 263-strong 2 Cant NMWC Bn Gp with a mixed feeling of pride and awe. Awe, partly, at taking the reins of a battalion that has just had their first all TF operational deployment since WWII.
“Gone are the days when people joined the TF to do three, four weekends a year and then an annual camp. Now all our training and our reason for being is to be operationally deployable in support of the Regular Force.”
He explains that the greater opportunities for training and deployment mean there has never been a better time to be in the TF. If some in the battalion don’t agree, then tough.
“If people aren’t able to commit to the TF we will thank them for their service but we’ll ask them to move aside to let in the guys that are keen to train, exercise and deploy.”
In February 1982, LT COL Sinclair joined the Army as a craftsman armourer, RNZEME, interested in firearms and the military. After rising to the rank of sergeant, he completed officer training and transferred to Artillery.
After being the last Battery Commander of 32(E) Battery in 1998–99, he became the first OC for the Combat Support Group. From 1999 until 2001 he was the only TF member of the Southern EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team, which complemented his then civilian job as an inspector of explosives and dangerous goods.
After a two-year break in Auckland, he returned to 2 Cant NMWC Bn Gp. Last year, he deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina as the Senior National Officer.
After 25 years in the TF, LT COL Sinclair understands the major challenge facing TF soldiers: finding a balance between “the trifecta of primary occupation, military career and family”.
“My role is to make sure that our guys are able to achieve that balance, and allay the fears and enhance support from family and employers. The three must to be mutually supportive.”
He says his employer has been very supportive, allowing him to deploy for six months last year. And he takes every opportunity to acknowledge the support of his family, wife Michelle and daughters Helene (6) and Nikita (4) (pictured). Their support will be crucial during his tenure as CO of 2 Cant NMWC Bn Gp.
This page was last reviewed on 16 February 2007 and is current.
