Lieutenant Colonel Mike Beale

CA Commendation

Lt Col Mike Beale enjoys the moment with his wife and daughters. L-R Jorja Beale, Lt Col Mike Beale, Sqn Ldr Joanne Beale, and Stella Beale (LN-11-0008-07).

Going from being a user of infantry weapons to being instrumental in selecting replacement weapons for the Defence Force Lieutenant Colonel Mike Beal has shown that he can successfully navigate traditional battlefield as a soldier and the business battlefield as a manager.

Lieutenant Colonel Beale has been awarded the Chief of Army's Commendation for his work while posted to Defence Headquarters as Deputy Director Land Capability.

His duties required him to provide a range of advice related to current and future land capabilities, lead three separate major Project Teams responsible for Transport, Small Arms and Command and Control capabilities, work to support a range of other activities and projects and interacting with a range of Defence, Ministry of Defence and other government organisations.

Two projects he was instrumental in gaining government approval were the long awaited procurement of 40mm Grenade Machine Guns for the Army and the replacement for the New Zealand Defence Force's Light Machine Guns.

He also ensured that the Land Capability Projects were successfully adapted to comply with the extensive changes to project management required by Treasury as well as playing a leading role in refining the estimates for future land capability requirements during the preparation of the Defence White Paper.

His ability to maintain an understanding of the detail pertaining to each of the activities and projects within his portfolio without being overwhelmed, combined with his ability to successfully deal with a of complex issues, where fundamental attributes in the success achieved during his time with Capability Branch.

He has played an important role in the modernisation of the New Zealand Army which is acknowledged in the award of the Chief of Army's Commendation.