Army serves as foundation for future careers

Lt. Colonel Leith Comer (Rtd.) is passionate about highlighting the success of military personnel who have transitioned into careers in the public and private sectors.

“I have been pleased to see so many doing well and challenging the stereotype of military personnel
as command-driven and process-oriented.”

He says the reason for their success is their grounding in specific, transferrable skills such as strategic thinking, operational planning, and complex problem-solving. The military teaches people to think, be innovative, and be creative.

“Military service is a continuous cycle of learning and adapting to new challenges.”

Leith credits his military service as honing his decision-making skills by teaching him to confidently, and quickly respond to complex situations. Often, this meant making a plan with the information available, being ready to adapt as circumstances change. “You needed to be successful in your current role while at the same time preparing yourself for promotion to the next role. You were never left to stagnate in one place or one position. Postings inside New Zealand and overseas were plentiful,” he said. 

Leith graduated from OCS Portsea in July 1970 and started his officer career as an infantry platoon commander. In 1972 he was posted to 1RNZIR in Singapore. On his return to New Zealand in 1975, he was posted to Dunedin and served firstly as the training officer and then as an adjutant of 4 South. From Dunedin in 1978 he went to Waiouru and became officer commanding of the newly created Officer Training School at Waiouru. He was responsible for the training of both male and female officer cadets.

While in Waiouru, Leith passed his Tactical School Grade 2 course and was posted to Burnham as a company commander. During this posting he successfully completed an SAS selection course.

In early 1980 he was posted as a major to the US Army Infantry Centre in Fort Benning, Georgia, on a two year exchange appointment. He then attended the US Army Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. 

Leith graduated from the US Army General Staff College with Distinction and was awarded the Eisenhower Award for academic excellence as top foreign Student. He returned to New Zealand in 1984 and posted to the Tactical School first as an Instructor and then as Chief Instructor. In 1986 he commanded the New Zealand contingent in MFO Sinai In 1988 he became Commanding Officer of the Second First Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (2/1 RNZIR). Later he became the Hon. Col. of 2/1 RNZIR. He then left the army in 1989 to join the public service. 

As a public servant he was a Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Development for three years and then for twelve years was the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Māori Development. Following 15 years in the public service he returned to Rotorua.

In the community and private sector he has held multiple governance roles and led a number of important projects. He was a member of the Parole Board for three years and Chair of the Veterans’ Advisory Board for five years. He is a trustee of the New Zealand Fallen Heroes Trust.

Leith is currently Chair of Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust, responsible for leading their Treaty of Waitangi Claim, Chair of Tarawera Awa Restoration Strategy Group and a Council Member of Toi Ohomai.

In 2018 he was awarded the Queen’s Service Order (QSO) and in 2026 the Companion of the New
Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM).

“I owe so much to the experiences I was afforded as a NZ Infantry Officer. Like many others, the skills we learnt in the military have led to successful careers in the public, private, community and Iwi sectors,” he said.