Defence Force Reservist Competition

Defence Force Reservist Of The Year Competition To Be Held On Saturday

Part-time soldiers and sailors will compete against each other this weekend in a series of military skills challenges for the chance to be named the inaugural New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Reservist of the Year.

The competition is the brainchild of Associate Defence Minister Heather Roy and puts representatives of the 11 major Army and Navy Reserve units against each other in a test of military skills for the title.

The competition is being held at Trentham Military Camp in Upper Hutt on Saturday. The contestants will be assessed in their performance of a series of military tasks such as driving, weapons handling, first aid and physical fitness and the winner will be announced by the Associate Minister at a formal diner to be held in Wellington on Saturday evening.

Reservists are part time members of the military who, in addition to their full time jobs serve in the Army or the Navy in their spare time. The role of the reserve forces is to provide supplementary manpower to the NZDF as and when it may be required for specific tasks.

Many reservists take leave from their regular employment to serve on NZDF peace support operations in places like The Solomon Islands, Timor Leste and Afghanistan.

Media are invited to attend the competition at Trentham on Saturday.

WHAT: NZDF Reservist of the Year competition. 11 young New Zealanders who are part time soldiers and sailors competing in a series of military challenges.

WHEN: Saturday, 12 December, 1pm-4pm.

WHERE: Army General Staff, Trentham Military Camp, Somme Road, Trentham.

ENDS

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