Getting to come to New Zealand and experience a different culture and weather temperatures has been a great experience for two Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) personnel. 

Officer Cadet Ilimotama Rakavono, 26, from Tailevu in the Republic of Fiji and Officer Cadet Len Wilson, 27, from Mawata, Vanua Levu in Fiji are undertaking the Officer Cadet School (OCS) of New Zealand course in Waiouru this year. 

The pair have already commissioned into the RFMF as officers, but are undertaking the New Zealand Commissioning Course to enhance their experience and training. Officer Cadet Rakavono said it was interesting working with other countries as it was different. 

“I was excited to do the New Zealand course as I’ve always wanted to go to New Zealand, since I was a child, but I haven’t had the opportunity to go until this course.” 

As the year progressed in New Zealand, he said the course got harder, but his highlight so far was undertaking Exercise Veiliutaki in Fiji, an OCS exercise run alongside RFMF, working together in fully integrated multi-national platoons. 

Returning to Fiji on that exercise also meant he got an opportunity to catch up with his wife and child, who he had not seen for more than a year. He said the hardest thing about being in New Zealand was leaving his family behind, but he was learning a lot. 

Officer Cadet Wilson said he had also learnt a lot in New Zealand, and it was going to be useful when he returned to the RFMF. He was grateful for the chance to go to New Zealand and progress his career. “Not everyone gets the opportunity to do this.”

Returning to Fiji on Exercise Veiliutaki was hard as he was used to the sub-zero temperatures of Waiouru, so getting used to the warmer Fiji weather again had been a challenge. 

However, it also gave him the opportunity to catch up with his family as well.