Year 13 Mataī Whānau student Cheyenne Morrison Potroz spent her school holiday not catching up on rest, but crawling through nets and climbing up mountains at the Waiorou Military Camp!
Cheyenne has been set on enlisting in the army for several years, and her excitement has only grown since her experience in the holidays.
Cheyenne’s week in the army came about thanks to an introduction by Careers Advisor, Mrs Corlett, to Sergeant Jay Pritchard, a New Zealand Army recruiter, who was at the college to give information about military careers. There was a space in an upcoming secondary school camp if Cheyenne wanted it. The answer was “yes”!
All New Zealand Army soldiers spend 16 weeks of basic training at the Waiouru grounds, so Cheyenne was excited to get some insight into her future career and training.
During her stay Cheyenne met with military officers, military police, and even recruits on their 16-week intake, discovering insights that she says have made her “even more excited” about her dream of working in the military police.
Cheyenne comes from a family of first responders, with grandparents who were active in St John and the fire service. She was inspired to “complete the set” and initially investigated regular policing before deciding to take a military path.
Of the camp, Cheyenne says, “Physically it was just so demanding. The confidence course was the most intense I’ve ever done – lots of running, crawling, and climbing. And we had to do so many burpees!
“We stayed in the barracks and had to dress formally for meals in the mess hall, just like the regular recruits. It was a good taste of what’s to come.”
The intensity of her week in the army hasn’t put Cheyenne off – she’s already started her application for basic training next year!
