Top gunner heads up Artillery

The incoming Commanding Officer of 16th Field Regiment at Linton Military Camp says one of his priorities is that his team exists in a high state of readiness and able to fight at a moment’s notice with the kit and people available.

Lieutenant Colonel Brent Morris enlisted in the New Zealand Army in 2004 and in December of that year commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Royal New Zealand Artillery. This proved to be the start of a strong career as a Gunner Officer which has included deployments and postings to Timor Leste, United Kingdom, South Sudan, Australia and Sinai Egypt.

In 2005 LTCOL Morris was posted as a Young Officer to 16th Field Regiment. Between 2005 and 2008 LTCOL Morris fulfilled the roles of Weapons Troop Commander, Command Post Troop Commander, and Reconnaissance Troop Commander within the Regiment.  In 2010 LTCOL Morris completed his Joint Fires Team Commander and Grade Three Staff and Tactics Courses. He was promoted to Captain in December of that year.

Between 2010 and 2012 LTCOL Morris was posted on exchange as a Forward Observation Officer to 14th Regiment, Royal Artillery, Larkhill, United Kingdom. During this time he completed his Instructor in Gunnery course at the Royal School of Artillery (UK).

In December 2012 LTCOL Morris was posted to the School of Artillery (NZ) for two years. Here he trained Royal New Zealand Artillery Officers and soldiers on various courses, as well as revamped both the Gun Position Officer's, and Joint Fires Team Commander's Courses.

In 2015 LTCOL Morris completed the Grade Two Staff and Tactics Course and promoted to Major. In September of that year he deployed to South Sudan as a Military Liaison Officer on Operation Sudden.

Between March 2016 and December 2018 LTCOL Morris fulfilled the role of Battery Commander 163rd Battery. During this time he also attained a Bachelors of Applied Management from Otago Polytechnic.

In 2019 LTCOL Morris attended Australian Command and Staff College in Canberra where he attained a Masters in Military and Defence Studies from the Australian National University.

In December 2019 LTCOL Morris posted to Tactical School (NZ) as an instructor. In 2020 he assumed the role of Chief Instructor.

In May 2021 LTCOL Morris was promoted and deployed to Sinai, Egypt as the Senior National Officer for Operation Farad. He was awarded a Force Commander's commendation at the completion of his tour.

LTCOL Morris left the Army in July 2022 and took up a role as a strategic labour market planner for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. He re-enlisted in the NZ Army in July 2023 and posted into Commandant, Mission Command Training Centre prior to his current position as Commanding Officer, 16th Field Regiment.

LTCOL Brent Morris says he is looking forward to leading his second family, the 16th Field Regiment and influencing people to pursue operational success. He says trust is integral to leadership and demonstrating integrity, benevolence, predictability and competence in carrying out your duties.