On Monday, February 13, the Makoura College Services Academy left for Waiouru to take part in the Lower North Island Services Academy induction course.
The two-week course would give us an insight into military lifestyle and teach us the skills we would need for the rest of our academy year.
We were joined by four other academies from the lower North Island region - Naenae College, Mana College, Horowhenua College and Queen Elizabeth College.
Our daily routine would involve a 6am wake-up, followed by the EMA (early morning activity). This would normally be a short run. Then it was back to our barracks for 30-second showers after which we would form up and march to the mess for breakfast. Following breakfast we would return to barracks for fatigues, cleaning the showers, toilets, laundry corridors, etc. We would then have a barrack inspection by one of the staff. All academy members now know how to make a bed "Army style"!
Drill practice at the parade ground was next. Platoon sergeants for each academy were chosen and were expected to take drill for their academy. We would then march back to the barracks and get changed into PT kit for activities such as concourse, high-ropes, field craft, pools, RFL testing and everyone's favourite, cross-country runs up Tank and Waitangi Hill! Back to the barracks for another 30-second shower and then it was lunch.
Afternoon activities would either be a classroom lecture on subjects such as ethos/values, code of ethics, cultural awareness and life change or another PT session.
Everything we did was leading up to our "longest day", a competition between academies where all the activities we did throughout the course were expected to be completed in one day, while at the same time carrying a lamppost, a 44-gallon drum and 20 litres of water! For many, the longest day was the most challenging day but was also the most fun!
Makoura College Services Academy members conducted themselves in a manner that should be praised. The students pushed themselves to the limits.
The Makoura College Services Academy left for Waiouru as a group of individuals and after two weeks we returned home as a team.