The Services Academy Induction course was a 12 day programme conducted by the New Zealand Defence Force Youth Development Unit. 

Throughout this course there is a range of different activities, the big three were river crossing, high ropes and the confidence course. Other activities included leaderless activities and drill marching parades and practices. We also had presentations by the New Zealand Police and other outside agencies with the Staff at YDU speaking about life in the Defence Force and the opportunities it gives you through out life.

There were three trophies that were to be awarded at the end of the course. The first one was the sports trophy which was awarded to the Academy that got the highest score on the sports day. The second trophy was the drill competition which was awarded to the Academy that demonstrated the best team-work, timing and calling from the drill instructor and the final trophy was the longest day which was awarded to the Academy that displayed the best teamwork, attitudes, timing and resilience. MSA missed out by a slim margin on being awarded trophies this year. 

There were also individual awards that were awarded to the top student of each Academy and the most improved. I would like to acknowledge Joseph Hogeboom who was awarded the most improved student award for our Academy. We believe this award was well deserved. Joseph showed strength with his resilience and he strived for self improvement. He overcame many obstacles and never gave up. After the two week Induction course he had one day break and was off again for another week course which shows his great resilience to keep going.