BOMBING WEEK - Royal New Zealand Air Force

WN 06-0088-02
WN 06-0088-01
FLTLT Jennifer Atkinson raises a
point in the syndicate discussion.
FLTLTs Nick Cree, Michael Kilham, and Dicko Beaton:
FLTLT Mike Kilham has since withdrawn from the
course and resigned from the RNZAF.
of competing for rankings, the emphasis is on students helping each other,
contributing to discussion, and extending themselves. Despite that, it
is no push-over. At times the workload can be demanding and includes
essay writing, research, debating, and syndicate discussions on subjects
as diverse as leadership development, contemporary military operations,
media trends, project management, and international relations. The
College also relies on external subject matter experts, often from Massey
University. In the middle of the course, the student group goes on an
overseas study tour (in 2005 to Vietnam, see report Pg 16, October 2005
Air Force News). In 2006 it is going to New Caledonia and China.
So, just how successful is the course? We asked some former students.
SQNLDR Peter Sutherland, who did the staff course last year, says the
course is tough and is ‘quite a burden when you are doing it. But it is the
sort of course where the benefi ts aren’t immediately obvious. For some it
may take years or up to a decade before the skills learnt are put to use.
In my case my job in the Directorate of Logistics Capability was enhanced
by the exposure the course gave me to HQNZDF and a wide-ranging
understanding of how the NZDF, MoD and the single Services relate to
each other. Understanding those relationships is a key part of my job,
particularly with regard to the proposed NH90 purchase.’
SQNLDR Charlie Morris, an Engineer with Systems Development Unit
tasked with making design modifi cations for RNZAF aircraft, agrees the
course was ‘busy’ but says the opportunity to ‘delve deeply into bigger
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN69, APRIL 06
A STIMULATING COURSE
GRANT CARR
Seventeen Air Force FLTLTs, two A/SQNLDRs and a CAPT from the
Phillipines Air Force are on the roll for the No.70 Junior Staff Course
(JSC) at the NZDF’s Command and Staff College from 6 February to
24 March 2006.
The live-in course is a compulsory element for Air Force FLTLTs in line
for promotion to SQNLDR rank.
The JSC is described as an enjoyable time away from work and offers a
unique opportunity to mix with a FLTLT peer group and consider aspects of
the military beyond the day-to-day routine. It is a demanding programme
where the saying ‘you get out of it what you put in’ holds true. Despite
the demands of essays and presentations the course is both mentally
and socially stimulating and professionally rewarding.
At the time of my brief attendance the students were half way through
their second week of the course. During the fi rst week the students are
joined by personnel from the RNZN and NZ Army for the NZ Introduction
to Joint Warfare Course.
In the second week it was very much down to business. ‘The workload
has really started to come on this week,’ says Auckland Engineer FLTLT
Alex Cox. ‘It involves a lot of reading and research and I’ve been up till
midnight twice this week working on essays. There’s an extensive library
at the college and we also extensively use the Internet for research.’
Despite the workload he’s pleased to be on the course and found the
hardest part initially is just getting away from work. ‘Work commitment
have a habit of following you,’ he says.
The course splits into two syndicate groups for discussions and I’m
treated to a discussion/debate by one on the concept of pre-emption
– launching an attack on a nation that is perceived as offering an
imminent threat to your security. The United States adopted this as a
policy in 2002. It was a lively and apposite discussion where the level
of participation by all course members indicated to me that debating an
issue is an important and stimulating part of the course. Fascinating.
picture issues and to meet and discuss these with regional colleagues
on the course was a welcome change from the day-to-day routine of
engineering work.’ And he has started bringing the wider political and
social context into informal discussions with his troops. He is about to be
seconded to project work with MoD and believes the knowledge he has
of how the Air Force and MoD work together and the relationship with
single Services will be most helpful.
WGCDR Logan Cudby who did the course in 2003 before his posting
to Afghanistan working for UNAMA says the course was ‘essential to
making a critical contribution at the strategic level of international and
inter-agency nation building. It’s a bit like a higher tertiary qualifi cation
because it gives you the language and tools to work with people who
have similar training.’
The College’s modern, comfortable environment provides excellent
facilities for study and group discussion. Live-in accommodation includes a
separate study room for each course member and they have ample access
to recreational facilities.
They are provided with their own laptop and tablet PC which is linked
wirelessly to the CSC’s internal network and the internet. By the end of
their course, students have also developed a strong and supportive bond
of friendship that remains throughout their career. CSC’s aspiration to be
the premier Staff College is moving ahead in 2006 with their intention to
develop a website on par with peer Staff Colleges around the world.
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