Hight Spirits as OCDTs Graduate

LT GEN Jerry Mateparae’s faces displays pride as he reviews their march-past. 27 February 2007

A sudden, heavy downpour of rain during the Officer Cadet School (NZ) graduation ceremony dampened the uniforms, but not the spirits, of the 41 cadets graduating.

The graduates included 36 officers graduating into the NZ Army, two into the Royal Australian Infantry, two into the Tongan Defence Services and one into the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

Held at Waiouru in December, the graduation ceremony was a special occasion for the reviewing officer Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae. He was not only the reviewing officer at the parade, but also a proud parent of one of the graduates, 2LT Jeremy Mateparae.The CDF passes OCDTs Nicholas Fuller and Elizabeth Pearson while inspecting the graduates in the pouring rain.

LT GEN Mateparae spoke to the graduates about the likelihood of active service awaiting them. “Who would have thought when you arrived here at the beginning of the year, that there would be three peacekeeping missions to nearby neighbours?” he asked. “The training you have received here during the year will help you in similar missions.”

OCDT Rob Pinkerton receives the Australian Chief of Army's prize. The Commandant OCS, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Curry, reinforced this message when he reminded the graduates that “the world is changing, and it is increasingly likely that you will be called on to serve in challenging and severe environments”.

Officer Cadets Andrew Palmer and Nicholas Andrew took two top prizes. OCDT Palmer was awarded the Sword of Honour. He also won the Chief of Army’s Prize for leadership and the Commander ATG Waiouru’s Prize for communication skills, while OCDT Andrew (Australia) was awarded the Governor General’s Medal for highest marks in all academic subjects. OCDT Mohammad Ahmad, of Brunei, with his family after the ceremony.

OCDT Rob Pinkerton won the Australian Chief of Army’s Prize for tactics, and the Commandant’s Prizes for performance and contribution to the Corps of Officer Cadets, and OCDT Varawa won the Sultan of Brunei’s Prize for the best Mutual Assistance Programme officer cadet. Top prize winners, OCDT Palmer and Andrew (3rd and 4th from left) in the Colour Party during the rain-swept parade.

OCDTs Nicholas Andrew and Phillip Boyle shared the Sergeant Major of the Army’s Prize for battle craft skills and OCDT Daniel Thompson won the PAE Award for application and achievement. OCDT Ian McKnight and his parents.

Image Gallery - Issue 371

This page was last reviewed on 05 March 2007 and is current.

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