Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Kamal Singh of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) was delighted to reunite with his Basic Recruit Course instructor, 24 years after their last encounter.
WO2 Singh was born and raised in Wainibokasi, but joined the New Zealand Army in 1998 after his family migrated to New Zealand. It was at the New Zealand Army Recruit School in Waiouru that recruit Singh met his instructor, Corporal Bera, for the first time. Corporal Bera was on a military exchange, attached to the New Zealand Defence Force from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
That instructor, WO1 Eliki Bera, is now retired from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces after more than 30 years of service. Meanwhile, WO2 Singh is now a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer and is based in Fiji as a NZDF Technical Advisor working with the RFMF. When WO2 Singh learned that Mr. Bera had retired but was living in Nausori, he was eager to make arrangements for a meeting.
โHe has made a lasting impact on my life, especially setting a strong foundation for me in the military.โ
When they reunited earlier today, WO2 Singh presented Mr. Bera with a Maori โ๐๐ช๐ฌ๐ฐ ๐๐ต๐ชโ, which symbolises eternal friendship and the bringing together of cultures.
WO2 Singh remembers well those tough training moments, especially in cold weather where Instructor Bera would drive the young recruit hard. They were two countrymen in the โLand of the Long White Cloudโ.
Mr. Bera said that such military exchanges between the two countries benefitted each other immensely in terms of training and should be encouraged.
While back in Fiji, WO2 Singh is enjoying reconnecting with his roots, and with those who have played an important role in his journey. WO2 Singh and Mr. Bera plan to catch up again to reminisce about their shared experiences in New Zealand.
