Basketball coach finds personal growth in the Reserve Force

The Auckland based Junior Breakers coach was hitting the backboard looking for a challenge to develop a different perspective on life and remind people you’re never too old to take on something bigger than yourself.

Joining the Reserve Force as an infantry soldier struck a chord so the 33-year-old North Shore soldier applied, and now at the completion of her basic training looks forward to the next step at her unit 3/6 Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.

“I’ve learnt to ‘embrace the suck’ as it’s called around here,” she says sitting outside her shell scrape. 

Soldiers ‘dig in’ to make a shell scrape where they eat, sleep and watch their area from a protected position. 

Personal growth is a constant in the NZ Army with a large spike beginning at recruit training level.

Recruits learn a range of foundational soldiering skills including navigation, living in field conditions, firing weapons by day and night, and living in close quarters. Building resilience is a big part of the training which sets them up for a successful part-time Army career. 

“I really enjoyed learning about grid references, back bearings, magnetic bearings and reference points in the navigation phase.

“I wasn’t particularly good at orienteering at school and wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. It’s one of the many life skills I’ve learnt on the course that I’ll be taking home to teach my fourteen year old son.”

Private Pene focused on her cross-fit training to build on her strength for the six-week intensive course but on reflection wished she’d included a little more cardio to the mix.  Training at altitude can impact people differently and individuals can notice a drop in performance. 

“I put in a lot of training and have been surprised on the impact it’s had on me when running around, I’m breathing pretty heavy! 

“CrossFit Mecca has taught me how to push through fatigue though which has really helped. 

 “I’ll be throwing a bit more running into the mix prior to my infantry corps training so I can build on the cardio which will set me up better.”

Private Pene is also studying towards a Bachelor of Science and was previously a chef which she reflects has helped deal with the sometimes intense training environment.

Reflecting on her time on the course, Private Pene says, “I credit my family with being here, they’ve built my confidence and supported me in everything I’ve chosen to do.”

Interested in our Reserve Force?

Any Defence Recruiting enquiries can be directed to 0800 1 FORCE. Each Reserve Force company has its own training programme in line with its battalion’s training focus. Company level training typically occurs one weekend a month with platoon level training occurring once a week.