Officer charmed by stitching together Army's personnel

Colonel Jessie Gunn, MBE

Deputy assistant chief (personnel)

NZ Defence Force


What makes your day at work?


Successfully signing off new policies and getting feedback from our clients. One example was getting approval for the extra pay allowances for the troops deployed in East Timor [in September 1999]. The personal involvement and intensive effort is worth it when you get a good result.

Going out for a lunchtime run, usually for a good hour, with three or four of my staff. This type of strenuous 6 to 8 km run helps to restock the energy and helps to make my day.


How did you get to where you are today?


Well, it was hardly meteoric. I'd like to think that it is a realistic career goal for young women in the Army today. There have been many years, postings, trials and tribulations along the way. Perhaps lots of perseverance and determination, too, but more to the point I have enjoyed my career and because of that I have stayed.


What is your management style?


Well, I know I drive people mad because I have a real penchant for detail and I am very forthright and I do not tolerate fools.

I am motivated by fairness and integrity and I am a strong advocate that in by being honest with people you don't give them false expectations. So while the truth may not always be palatable, it is to their advantage in the long term.


What is your advice to someone starting out in your field today?


Maximise the opportunity to gain qualifications, be honest and go for it. But be prepared. It won't be easy and you will have to give a lot of yourself along the way.


What was your biggest career break?


While there have been personal "breaks" all along the way, by far the most significant career break came way back in 1977 when the women's services were integrated into the respective men's services. That opened up the way for women to be employed competitively with the men, in an endless number of roles within the Armed Forces. Until then our employment had been restricted to purely mundane, administrative support roles.

After 30 years in the Army it is hard to imagine all the changes that have taken place in women's employment. As a young officer cadet I was one of six women selected to go to Charm School every Saturday morning for four hours. The instruction was to walk with only a 3-inch pace on the catwalk, whereas for the other six days of the week I was shouted at on the parade ground to stride out a 28-inch pace walk.


Who was your most important mentor?


That's quite a difficult question and I don't think I could isolate any one particular person. I prefer to acknowledge that over the years there have been a number of senior officers who have had confidence in my ability and who have been ambitious on my behalf. They have also encouraged me and given guidance to me as required, and that's probably quite often.


What's the biggest challenge for your organisation?

The challenges facing the NZDF are very much in the public arena at the moment and inevitably lie in the forthcoming Defence Review. Within my particular area, the challenge continues to be the retention and recruitment of trained personnel and for me that means the development and application of proactive Human Resource policies that recognise the needs of the NZDF, the service person and the NZ taxpayer.


How do you relax?


Now, if you were trying to stereotype me, this is probably where I really shatter the mould. While I enjoy gardening and reading, my panacea is my embroidery. I am Secretary of the Wellington Embroidery Guild. Not quite the stuff one would normally expect of an Army officer!

I am also very mindful that for all intents, I lead a very privileged life and thus I like to do some work in the community to help me keep my life in perspective and my feet firmly on the ground. So on Saturdays, I help out with the evening meal at the Soup Kitchen and on Sundays, I do some very basic voluntary work at a local hospice.


How important is it to keep a sense of humour in your job?


Vitally important, because we live in such changing times. But equally important are flexibility and the ability to laugh at oneself.

* Colonel Gunn spoke with Susan Jennison.