It didn’t take Whakatāne’s Danielle Moke-Kingi long to realise she enjoyed a military-style environment.

Once part of Trident High School’s Military Service Academy, she is now in the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), having graduated on Saturday among 23 women and 61 men from Basic Common Training intake 26/1, at Devonport Naval Base in Auckland.

Ordinary Combat System Specialist Moke-Kingi, 18, said an academy instructor encouraged her to join. It was a challenge she was determined to accept as it provided the opportunity to broaden her horizons.

“Also, I wanted to make my family and friends proud and show them that I can do this and there are a lot of options outside of your hometown,” she said.

As a combat system specialist, she will be trained to operate military radars and sonars to understand what ships, aircraft and submarines are in the vicinity of a warship.

She could also operate remote controlled weapon systems to defend the ship and defeat the enemy.

The realities of 16 weeks of basic training, including barrack accommodation and sharing with 12 other women, was definitely a challenge, although five years of netball at school had taught her a lot about working as a team.

“Learning to live with others in your personal space was always going to be hard at first. But as training went on it became natural.

“You just learn to live and work well with each other, and you start to form bonds and get closer with your peers,” she said.

A highlight of the course was the final Range Week, held during the latter stages of training.

The week featured the prestigious Efficiency Cup competition, where the two recruit divisions – Achillies and Leander – competed against each other in a series of demanding challenges that tested teamwork, resilience, fitness and determination.

“Completing what was one of our hardest weeks of the course was one of my highlights, because it showed how much we had all grown together.

“To make it even more special, it was our division that won the Efficiency Cup.

“There were some tears shared between me and some of my close ‘oppos’ (shipmates) when we saw our red flag flying. It was one of my favourite moments.”

She said her family would likely notice her new and improved habits and mannerisms.

“You learn how actions have consequences and you become good at paying attention, even to the little things.”

Her advice to those thinking of joining was to pay attention and go with it.

“There are things that you wonder, why are we doing this, what it is it teaching?

“Eventually you realise the why and how it makes sense.

“Just be switched on and take it on the chin with a smile and a ‘I get to be here’ mindset. And give 100 percent every day.”