Onwards Day 2010
For the 80 new Officer Cadets and 29 graduates of the Territorial Force Commissioning Course (TFCC) 19 February was a significant day - Onwards Day.
NZTFCC Graduation/Onwards Parade held on Firth Field parade ground - the full parade (OH-10-0132-038).
For the Officer Cadets passing out from Initial Officer Training (IOT) the day marked the end of the first phase of their training, and for the graduates it marked their commissioning as officers into the Territorial Force.
The day started off grey and drizzly, but by the time the parade began the cloud had burned off to reveal a beautiful day. Proud families and friends descended on Firth Field to watch their loved one march - in many cases for the first time. Amongst the guests in attendance for the parade was the Chief of Army, Major General Rhys Jones. The reviewing officer of the parade was the Associate Minister of Defence Heather Roy.
Onwards Day showcased the drill of the Officer Cadets who a mere six weeks earlier had been unable to form up and march in step. The standard of drill on the parade was a credit to the work that had been put in by the training staff and the focus of the Officer Cadets. The highlight of the parade for many, however, was the New Zealand Army haka performed by the Officer Cadets as the TFCC graduates marched through the ranks for the last time.
After Onwards Day this class underwent a split. Some of the new Officer Cadets moved down to Linton to study at Massey University on the Kippenberger scheme. Others went to their Territorial Force units to undertake part-time training in preparation for TFCC 2011. The majority, however, moved onto the New Zealand Commissioning Course held in Waiouru for the remainder of the year.
See also Territorial Force Commissioning Course 2010.