NZ Army instructors march out with 192 Fijian recruits for the first time

New Zealand Army instructors for the first time, have participated in the marching out of with the 192 Republic of Fiji Military Force recruits.

RFMF says Sergeant Andrew Shaw, Corporal Darby Taunoa and Corporal Laura McFadzien took the Platoon Sergeant's places and performed in front of Fiji’s President Wiliame Katonivere.

The three are instructors at The Army Depot in Waiouru and have been in Fiji since April instructing the Basic Recruit Course.

They say Military training is an integral part of the New Zealand Defence Force’s Mutual Assistance Programme, which supports interoperability, standardisation and all arms progression across partner courses between the NZDF and RFMF.

Sergeant Shaw says it’s been significant to instruct alongside the officers and non-commissioned officers of Fiji’s Force Training Group, especially given the strong history between both defence forces.

RFMF FTG Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Waqanisau, says the RFMF relationship with the NZDF is deep and always cherished.

Lieutenant Colonel Waqanisau says it is steeped in a joint history developed during the Solomon Islands campaign in the Second World War and continued through to permanent training staff posted to the RFMF until the late 1980s.

He says these exchanges are a reinvigoration of the past and will help them reflect and develop an intimate future that adds value to both forces. There are 116 NZ Army personnel in Fiji for the Officer Cadet School Exercise Veitokani and in September, 50 personnel will take part in the multinational Exercise Cartwheel in the Nausori Highlands.