10 June 2015

Onehunga Man Army’s Newest Top Gunner

Newly graduated gunner Elia Fata made his friends and family proud, marching out with a top award on his New Zealand Army Recruit Course.

Elia, who is originally from Onehunga, joined the Army because he felt he “belonged”.

“I wanted to feel like I was making a difference, especially knowing that I’m doing something to keep my family and friends safe,” he said.

Elia’s proudest moment on the course was being awarded the Sergeant Major of the Army award, with his friends and family watching, and being able to march out with his new comrades.

“It’s the bond created between myself and my peers that we will take with us,” he says. “We started out as individuals, we became friends and now we march out together as brothers and sisters.”

Receiving the award at his March Out meant that Elia had the opportunity to thank his friends and family for their support. Elia will now begin his career as a gunner with 16 Field Regiment based at Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North.

The All Arms Recruit Course runs for four months and is based at Waiouru Military Camp. It provides the basic skills needed to become a successful soldier, from the fundamentals of weapons training to first aid, navigation and lessons on military law. Once soldiers march out they post out to their new units to begin their specialist careers.

ENDS

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