King Country Naval Officer scales new heights
Charles Ward, who grew up on a sheep and beef farm near Otorohanga, was looking at a career in engineering when his school principal, who had served in the New Zealand Defence Force, suggested he look at life in the military.
The young man thought: why not engineering with the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN)?
At the end of this month RNZN Midshipman Ward, 18, will complete 22-week Junior Officer Training Course, which included five days on training ship Spirit of New Zealand in the Hauraki Gulf.
While on Spirit of New Zealand the 23 trainees go from the classroom to a real maritime experience to refine their leadership skills and take on sea roles in a ship’s command chain.
Midshipman Ward, who was head boy at Otorohanga College, will complete his officer training on 30 June with a formal march-out and graduation at Devonport Naval Base in Auckland.
“Everyone I talked to recommended the Defence Force,” he said.
Leaving his farming locality to become a naval officer was something of a pioneering move, he said.
“It was a very different move for the area.”
The 22-week course was about learning and developing as you went, he said.
“You never make the same mistake twice.
“The best thing about it is the people. We come from different areas of New Zealand, but we are all there on the same course, to serve our country from a maritime aspect. That’s what creates the comradeship.”
Midshipman Ward had been on Spirit of New Zealand before, as a 16-year-old on a 10-day trip, and got great value from his second experience.
“It was good to get there. They push the theory stuff in training, but as soon as you get out to the practical everything makes sense and you just want to do more.”
Spirit of New Zealand master Nic Charrington, who has taken plenty of youngsters to sea, likes the RNZN’s leadership style and camaraderie.
“You can see a bit of apprehension when they come on, but you could tell they were already a team,” he said.
After graduation, Midshipman Ward will continue his training as a weapons engineering officer.
