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// New Officers Graduate in Style

The Hon John Key congratulates Taylor Berriman on graduating with L-R: James Middlewick, Liana Costello, Andrew Day, Michael Gibbons and Ivan Irving. WB-09-0172-074.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s newest commissioned Officers graduated from their Initial Officer Training Course (IOTC) at RNZAF Base Woodbourne on Tuesday 1 July 2009. Prime Minister, the Hon John Key was the reviewing officer for this special parade. The ceremony also included the handover of the Queen’s Colour to Base Woodbourne. Twenty-three Air Force officers graduated and will now go forward to careers as varied as flight crew, logistics officers and psychologists.

Initial Officer Training Course

The Initial Officer Training Course (IOTC) is a 22 week course, which is conducted as two distinct modules of eight and 14 weeks duration. Direct entrants complete both modules, while those being commissioned from the ranks complete the second IOTC module only.

The IOTC is designed to:

  • induct personnel into military life
  • train personnel to the required skill and knowledge levels expected of junior officers
  • assess the retained knowledge, skills and attitudes required of all RNZAF Officers.

Induction into military life includes training in such areas as:

RNZAF history, customs, organisation and administration, foot and sword drill, weapon training, Service law, defence tactics and field camps.

A strong emphasis is also placed on Defence and Strategic Studies, where the current roles and requirements of the New Zealand Defence Force are related to the basic framework on international relations both past, present and future.

Throughout the IOTC, students are assessed for their knowledge, skills and attitudes. Knowledge is generally assessed in the form of written assignments, essays, tests and tutorials. Skills are generally assessed via practical means such as oral presentations, range shooting, first aid and outdoor leadership exercises.

Attitudes are assessed as a series of defined core competencies that are continually monitored by all staff. The most emphasis is placed on leadership skills and core competencies as these attributes are an integral requirement of all RNZAF Officers.

Graduates

  1. Pilot Officer Taylor J.E. Berriman – Wellington
  2. Pilot Officer Liana J. Costello – Harwardon North Canterbury
  3. Pilot Officer Andrew A. Day – Nelson
  4. Pilot Officer Nicola Durie – Timaru
  5. Flying Officer Michael Gibbons – Tauranga
  6. Flight Lieutenant Ivan E. Irving – Auckland
  7. Flying Officer Jonathan E. Irving – Auckland
  8. Flying Officer Wendy. E. Knight – Auckland
  9. Flight Lieutenant Ceilidh J. Martin – Geraldine Sth Canterbury
  10. Pilot Officer Daniel J. McCormack – Napier
  11. Pilot Officer Lisa M. McLay – Rotorua
  12. Pilot Officer James N. Middlewick – Inverness, Scotland
  13. Pilot Officer Kieran Moratti – Palmerston North
  14. Pilot Officer Bryce T. Morgan – Dip ATS Masterton
  15. Flying Officer Derek A. Peel – Morecambe, England
  16. Flight Lieutenant Sean Rogers – Feilding
  17. Pilot Officer Anthony Rose – Invercargill
  18. Pilot Officer Julie K. Smith – Christchurch
  19. Pilot Officer Trent R. Stevens – Masterton
  20. Pilot Officer Amy Wenden-Richardson – Palmerston North
  21. Pilot Officer Ryan Williams – Nelson

Image Gallery - Issue 106