Newspaper Article 2017 – Ruahine cadet unit leader retires

Ruahine cadet unit leader retires

By Clinton Llewellyn

Initially a self-confessed “reluctant recruit”, Major Ray Chapman has ended up devoting more than 20 years to the Ruahine Cadet Unit.

But his 22-year involvement will come to an end this month, when the 70-year-old retires as unit commander and hands over to Second Lieutenant Keryn Barkle.

Major Chapman said he could not have asked for a better replacement.

“Keryn’s come through from a 13-year-old cadet to become an officer and now she’s taking over.  We’re very proud of her,” he said.

The satisfaction from witnessing the progression of his successor and other cadets over the years was one of the main reasons he had stayed so long.

“My greatest enjoyment is seeing a 12 or 13-year-old coming through as a scared little kid, and then going out as a confident 18-year-old,” he said.

A Territorial Force member for 20 years and a mechanic by trade, he had just returned from Australia in 1994 when former unit committee chairman Bill Donnithorne asked him to join the unit.

He originally declined, but the next year in 1995 ended up joining the committee as a civilian before becoming an officer in 1998.

His first stint as unit commander lasted for 12 years until he stepped down from the unpaid, voluntary role four years ago, before returning to the position in 2016.

“I was a reluctant recruit.  I didn’t want to become involved originally but, once I did, I gave it 120 per cent.”

With the help of a “very good” committee and “fantastic support” from NZ Cadet Corps headquarters at Ohakea, Major Chapman was proud of the Ruahine Cadet Unit’s achievements during his time.

“It’s a good-sized unit, and probably in the top three units in the country.

“It’s won the Best in New Zealand trophy three times, the Best in Central Region trophy seven times, and the national skills title once.  They are probably my three crowning achievements.”

He was also proud of helping establish the Napier Cadet Unit and said 30 CHB cadets had gone on to join the armed forces during his tenure.

Formed in 1991, the Ruahine Cadet Unit, part of the New Zealand Cadet Corps, is a voluntary military-style youth organisation which teaches leadership, comradeship, self-confidence and citizenship to boys and girls aged between 13 and 18.

Together with the Sea Cadet Corps and the Air Training Corps, the Cadet Corps make up the New Zealand Cadet Forces, which were established under the Defence Act 1971.

During their three years with the unit, cadets rise up the ranks as they successfully complete training in shooting, map reading, bush craft and survival skills among other areas, earning up to 80 credits towards their NCEA levels in the process.

Photo caption – INVOLVEMENT ENDING: Ruahine Cadet Unit commander Major Ray Chapman will stand down at the end of the month.   PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR