Brothers train together
When Navy recruit Vegas Tipoki, 19, mustered at Devonport Naval Base in August he wondered how he was going to get through 18 weeks of training. He knew others were thinking the same thing. But he had his brother with him.
“Same,” says Kiwi Tipoki, 18. While siblings have often followed one another into the services, it is rare for them to be in the same Basic Common Training class. But it was a combination of early applications and a sudden trade availability that saw Wairoa teenagers Vegas and Tipoki walking through Devonport gate together to join BCT 17/02.
Kiwi, who finished as head boy at Wairoa College, says he was inspired during his participation with his college’s service academy. “When I was at school, I didn’t know where I was going to go from there. I joined the service academy, I realised it was a good job. I had lots of friends in the Navy, I talked to them, and they said it was a good job.”
He applied to join last year, while Vegas applied in January this year. He would have likely been in the intake after Kiwi, but he was told near to the deadline there were positions available in his second-choice trade, as a steward. He had a week to sort out his medical, and two weeks to hand in his notice at work at Affco meatworks.
“I had done level 1 and level 2 at school, finished at year 12. I didn’t know what else to do. The meatworks is a good job for the amount of money you get. There aren’t other jobs around with that kind of money.”
The pair had the benefit of good mentors, notably Wairoa police constables Paul Bailey and Noui Whaanga, whom they met as part of a boot camp programme through their college. The officers have helped them with training and preparation.
But nothing prepares you for that moment you farewell your family and walk through the Devonport gate. Vegas says it was the first time they had left home for a serious length of time, and it was a heartfelt farewell. “The family were fine with us applying, all the early stuff. But it kicked in during those final days.” The pair had their family farewell in Wairoa, then came by themselves to Devonport.
“The shock, as soon as you stepped in. We were mustered up straightaway, bags on the left. We had been taught the basics, stand at ease, come to attention. I knew it would happen, but straightaway, we were into it.”
Six weeks into the 18 weeks of Basic Common Training, the pair say the first two weeks was hard. “Keeping track of everything and time management are the hardest things,” says Vegas. “And I didn’t know how to iron before I came here.” He says it gets better each day. “It doesn’t get easier. You just improve, you get a better attitude, and it just gets better.” Kiwi says as the weeks go on, you earn more privileges. Getting their phones back was a big deal, he says.
Their families were not able to come to Auckland for the Church Service in September, usually the first time recruits are allowed see their families. It’s a long drive from Wairoa, says Kiwi. Their family will come up to see them graduate, on 2 December. Both will continue training at the Defence Catering School, with Kiwi training as a chef.
Their advice to youngsters at Wairoa College is “stay in school, and when you get told to do something, do it”. Having good mentors with the police and service academy helped get them there, says Kiwi.
People often ask if they’re twins, says Vegas. “They say, how cool it must be, to have a brother with you.”
