Taking the lead at LSV Company:

by Sarah Chandler

Leading Hand Communications Operator (LCO) Hamish Peeti’s current posting to the Limited Service Volunteer Company (LSV COY) at Burnham means supervising about a third (or a ‘Platoon’) of the 120 residential trainees - and some very early starts. 

Originally from Wanganui, Hamish arrived at Burnham camp in November 2006. His role is to advise about 30 civilian trainees on behaviour and protocol issues and ensure they are where they are meant to be on camp at any given time. He’s also responsible for monitoring the trainees’ progress over the six week “boot camp” style programme.
 
A normal day sees Hamish getting up at 5am to wake a duty trainee who will then wake the other trainees of his or her Platoon. The trainees are held to a busy schedule between 530 and 1030pm and their days are filled with both classroom-based tuition and outdoor activities. Outdoor pursuits include overnight tramps and abseiling, while classroom tuition focuses on improving 'life skills' with lessons on goal setting, dress and grooming, dealing with drugs and alcohol, anger management, time management and budgeting.

Based on the 1645 British army model, LSV trainees wear military uniform and are subject to military law while resident at the camp. Trainees operate within the Army structure of Section, Platoon and Company. The LSV programme contains most of the elements of basic training, however Hamish says it’s probably “quite tame in comparison to real basic training”.

Although he’s a trainer, Hamish says the learning process works both ways. He credits his time at the LSV COY as being good for building his own confidence, especially when it comes to public speaking.

“I was always able to speak around my peers, but I wasn’t so good speaking around people I didn’t know very well. Being around the trainees all the time has given me a constant audience.” 

Trainers attend the life skills classes and participate in outdoor activities along side the trainees. Hamish says he and the other Staff don’t worry too much about coming across as experts at the activities.

“It boosts morale if the trainees see we’re participating - and they get to have a laugh when they see us make mistakes”

The LSV unit is staffed on a tri-Service basis comprised of 50% Army and 25% Navy and Air Force personnel. 

Being Navy-trained in a predominantly Army environment, Hamish is on hand to advise curious trainees about what life’s like in the Royal New Zealand Navy.  Some trainees view the LSV scheme as “a gateway to the military”, however Hamish says the course is not a recruiting tool.  Rather it’s about creating an environment in which young people emerge "ready to find their own way in life”.

Hamish says the most rewarding part of the job is watching the successful trainees “march out” at the graduation ceremony at the conclusion of the six week course.  Many trainees arrive at the camp with low self esteem and a lack of direction.  The majority of those who stay the distance, Hamish says, leave the camp "with a sense of achievement and a new found respect for themselves and others”. 

Background - The Limited Service Volunteer scheme is a combined Ministry of Social Development (MSD)and New Zealand Defence Force (NZNDF) initiative. MSD provides the operating costs (about $2,800 is allocated to each trainee over a 6 week period). The NZDF delivers expertise and training personnel. To be eligible for admission to the programme a trainee should be aged between 17-25 and be registered with Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ). The stated mission of the LSV is “to increase numbers of young New Zealanders entering employment or further training”.  It is estimated that 70% of trainees find employment or go on to further training within two months of completing the course.  For further information about the LSV scheme please contact Mr Peter Te Paa, National Co-ordinator LSV, Work and Income New Zealand, telephone 029 2463574.