Helping soldiers get a good start

Corporal Simone Nelson says she was surprised to receive the recognition as “caring about people is my job”.

At 1st Command Support Regiment she is the first port of call for soldiers who have come from The Army Depot, Reserve Forces, other trades, or ex-Officer Cadet School personnel.

These soldiers have come from all different walks of life, have varying personal situations, varying levels of life and military experience, and some are still finding their feet within the organisation.

“I look after people when they come off basic training before they go on to their formal courses. We have unit integration that I help them with, so they aren’t strangers when they are fully qualified when they come back to us.

“I also take them for introductory training before they go on their course so that it’s not such a steep learning curve for them when they get there,” Corporal Nelson said.

Corporal Stevi Martyn, who nominated her for the award, says she has seen Corporal Nelson invest in the soldiers to incorporate them as members of their company, and cater to their welfare needs.

“Her actions have included taking a personal interest in each soldier's background, personal situation, interests, and hobbies, and assisting the soldiers in becoming connected with other like-minded individuals, both in the company and the wider regiment.”

Corporal Nelson said she loved seeing people progress.

“It’s great to see them come in straight from training where they are a little bit intimidated and unsure of what they are doing, and guide them to where they can go and make them feel a little bit more confident about themselves.

“That’s quite a nice feeling; helping people and finding confidence for them.”

New soldiers may not have much of an idea of the support services the organisation can offer, such as the Defence Learning College for people with learning difficulties, she said.

“I don’t think that’s common knowledge that they have access to the programme that is there to help them. A lot of the support systems might come as a pleasant surprise for our new soldiers.”

Corporal Martyn said Corporal Nelson had gone out of her way on several occasions, to assist soldiers with recognised relationship applications, defence housing applications, injury rehabilitation, and other administrative matters.

“Her interactions with the soldiers when dealing with these matters are all underpinned by respect and fairness, as well as providing the soldiers with a sense of inclusiveness through her reassurance that everyone has a place here, no problem is too big or too small, and no soldier is left out of platoon/company activities and tasks.”

The Squadron Leader Peter Rule Memorial Award is named after the man whose distinguished 20-year-career in the Air Force from 1955-75 ended because homosexual men were banned from serving. He committed suicide in 1987.

The award celebrates the individual who has most positively influenced the inclusive culture of the New Zealand Defence Force.