Soldier from Hastings represents the NZDF in Australian competition
Caleb Amner had idolised his older brother Jonathan since he was a kid. So, after graduating from Havelock North High School, he decided to follow in his brother’s footsteps, joining the Army in 2008.
“My brother joined the Army when I was seven. Growing up, I saw the opportunities he had and thought ‘I’ll give it a go too’,” Lance Corporal Amner said.
A Light Armoured Vehicle commander from Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles, Lance Corporal Amner is one of 19 New Zealand Defence Force personnel who are competing in the Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting (AASAM).
Around 500 military personnel from 15 countries, including China, France, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States, are taking part in the combat-focused skill at arms competition at Puckapunyal Military Area in central Victoria, southeast Australia, from 5–26 May.
“I’ll be shooting the rifle, machine gun and pistol,” said Lance Corporal Amner. This will be his fifth AASAM; he has won silver medals in rifle and machine gun shooting three times since 2011.
To prepare for the competition, the NZDF participants practised daily, including during weekends, for a month at Waiouru’s shooting range.
“We were out at the range every day, rain or shine. Everyone worked hard to get ready and we are hoping that our efforts will pay off,” Lance Corporal Amner said.
“The competition will be tough but our team will do our best.”
