Napier-based Army reservist leads platoon to historic win

Reserve Force Corporal Karlyn Butcher.

A Napier-based New Zealand Army Reserve Force corporal has marched his platoon to a prestigious national infantry competition win – beating the fulltimers for the first time.

Next, they’re off to take on the world.

Reserve Force Corporal Karlyn Butcher is a Platoon Sergeant in the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (5/7 RNZIR).

The battalion made history in March when Butcher led a 10-person team to victory at the 1st (NZ) Brigade Skill at Arms competition, held at the Waiōuru Military Training Area – the first time a team of reservists have won the competition.

“I’m hoping the win will open the door to other Reserve Force teams in the future,” Butcher said.

The victory means the 5/7 RNZIR would represent New Zealand at the Cambrian Patrol in the UK this October.

The army competition draws teams from militaries from around the world and will be the first time a New Zealand Army Reserve unit had competed on the world stage.

Since the win, Butcher and the 5/7 RNZIR had been taking part in Operation Italy, an emulation of mid-intensity conflict in the South West Pacific near Whanganui.

These war games develop commanders in battle handling lessons and engaging in quick attacks in open country as part of a training before the reserve’s largest annual exercise, Exercise Tauwharenīkau, in Gore this July.

Soldiers prepare for a dawn scenario-based attack in Exercise Italy’s open-country conflict scenarios near Whanganui.

Butcher said the Skill at Arms competition tested the core fundamentals and competencies of being a soldier and had set the 5/7 RNZIR up well for Exercise Italy and beyond.

But Butcher said his civilian role as the technical and continuous improvements manager at Turners and Growers directly assisted with his leadership of the platoon.

“[It] helped me learn to celebrate success in terms of people and it’s given me a different outlook on how to bring people along for the journey.

“It’s cool to watch our personnel take ownership of themselves and we get some real standout moments from individuals.”

But Butcher said none of these achievements would have been possible without his family.

“My wife goes above and beyond while also caring for our two young children, so I can put in the time needed for training.”