Female tops survival course
The Aumangea programme, run by the New Zealand Defence Force, has the mission to grow the spirit and belief in an individual so that they may win, regardless of the environment.
This is something Able Seaman Combat Specialist Janneke Olthuis excelled at in the programme earlier this year, and she is the first female to top it.
ASCS Olthuis said she was surprised but also filled with pride when she discovered in the final days of the programme she had come out on top.
“I was surprised. I am not a feminist but I do believe that nobody is limited by anything, everyone is just as strong as the next person, and it’s just a mind-set.
“I know there were others who deserved the trophy too, and hope that me topping the programme inspires others to give it a go and do the same things as I don’t see a reason why anyone can’t be that person,” she said.
The Aumangea programme, which runs for 35 days, focuses on the operational mindset to place the students in high tempo, fluid situations where the unknown is a large factor. Having faced trials unknown by many and having put their true self to the test, the aim for the students is to return and be a force for change regardless of rank or position. It can involve extreme physical and psychological pressure, in a variety of scenarios.
ASCS Olthuis said that the programme was really valuable and taught her to take a step back and look at what is around her and apply that to everyday life.
“I was able to transfer into my everyday life at home by learning what was necessary and what wasn’t, what mattered and what didn’t, what I wanted and what I didn’t want.
“I even knew what I wanted to with my career and what was next for me, something I was trying to figure out,” she said.
“It is totally true that the body will do as much as the mind tells it to but we create excuses to let ourselves think we can’t.
“The programme pushed me through any of my excuses and although we didn’t really say it aloud, we all had them, but we pushed them aside ourselves,” she said.
ASCS Olthuis said that she would definitely recommend the programme to others.
“There is no reason not to give it a go. You can do just as well as anyone else and if you don’t already believe this, I urge you to try.
