17 MARCH 2025 | OUR PEOPLE
Dylan Allison (left in photo), Science Researcher within the DST Ballistics and Personnel Protection team, has recently completed the rigorous NZ Army Territorial Force Commissioning Course. The course, designed to prepare soldiers for junior leadership roles for Territorial commissioned service, is a challenging journey that transforms candidates into officers capable of leading on the battlefield.
To qualify for the course, candidates must already be soldiers who have completed basic training. Following that, they must successfully pass an Officer Selection Board before being accepted into the course. The primary aim of the program is to develop future junior leaders who possess both professional competence and the core leadership qualities needed for military service.
The course covers a range of key competencies, including:
- Maintaining service discipline
- Applying leadership skills
- Mastering military communication
- Conducting regimental and physical training
- Planning and developing platoon-level training
- Employing battlecraft
- Planning and executing platoon-level operations
However, the course is not without its challenges. Dylan described the overwhelming workload, long hours (often spanning 14-16 hours a day), and the constant fatigue that built up as the primary difficulties faced throughout the course. The final field exercise, which lasted 10 days with days stretching to 18-20 hours pushed cadets to their limits both mentally and physically.
Dylan, previously a Junior Non-Commissioned Officer with the rank of Corporal, now holds the rank of Second Lieutenant following his successful completion of the course. Along with his promotion in rank, Dylan earned several awards:
- The Commandant's Prize, awarded to the officer cadet who achieves the best overall results in leadership.
- The Charles Upham Sword (Sword of Honour), presented to the Territorial Force graduate who demonstrates the highest level of excellence across all areas of cadet life.
Looking ahead, Dylan has been assigned his first command as a Platoon Commander within the 3rd/6th Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment Battalion. In this role, he will be responsible for managing and leading Junior Non-Commissioned Officers and soldiers, guiding them on training, career progression, and personnel matters. Later this year, Dylan plans to undertake Corps-specific training.