Christchurch man follows grandfather’s footsteps into service
Creating memories and stories like his grandfather did was one of the reasons Aircraftman Jack O’Leary joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a medic.
Aircraftman O’Leary, from Christchurch, has just completed two-and-a-half years of training and study at Defence Health School based at Burnham Military Camp.
“I wanted some structure in my life, and a goal. I was interested in working in the medical field and the greatly varied environment that the New Zealand Defence Force offered was greatly appealing to me,” he said.
Aircraftman O’Leary’s grandfather served in the Royal Navy and would share stories of his adventures.
“I always adored his stories about the military, and I especially appreciated how tight of a bond he seemed to form with his fellow sailors. I want to tell stories like my grandad did.
“As a kid, I would see the soldiers on parade at dawn services and I just thought they looked so impressive.”
Aircraftman O’Leary said he was looking forward to the next part of his journey and continuing to learn.
“I want to leave the Health School with as open of a mind as I entered it with. I hope to keep on learning and meeting new people.
“I have really enjoyed the on the job experience trips. I have been able to go to a variety of bases for short periods, as well as meet a wide range of different people from all walks of life,” Aircraftman O’Leary said.
New Zealand Defence Force medics train in a tri-service environment at Defence Health School based at Burnham Military Camp. The training takes two-and-a-half years and is a mixture of theory and practice. They also experience on-the-job training at Health Centres across Defence Force camps, ships and bases around New Zealand.
