Recognising the value of veterans

Major General John Howard (Rtd) is resolute about New Zealanders fully recognising the skills and qualities of military personnel, particularly once they leave service and transition to civilian life.

He says veterans are strategic, apolitical, and they offer value to decision-makers.

“Veterans have lived and worked in some of the most complex parts of the world. They are used to working in environments with volatility, crises and ambiguity. They are comfortable in working with complexity – it is standard for a combat environment.”

John enlisted as a rifleman in the Territorial Force in May 1984 before enlisting into the Regular Army as an Officer Cadet in July 1986. Following his commissioning into the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, his regimental service included various appointments within 1 RNZIR in Singapore and Linton, including Rifle Platoon Commander, Reconnaissance Platoon Commander, Company Second in Command, Adjutant, Company Commander, and Commanding Officer.

His instructional roles included serving as the Senior Instructor of the Small Arms and Tactics Wings at the School of Infantry, where he later served as Chief Instructor. He has also held senior staff appointments in capabilities, strategy, and future force roles at both Army HQ and HQ NZDF.

His operational experience includes service in Bosnia, Bougainville, East Timor, and Afghanistan. He is a graduate of the Australian Joint Command and Staff College, holding a Master’s Degree in Management and International Defence Studies from the University of Canberra. He also holds a Master of Strategic Studies from the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

John receiving the second and third clasps to his Long Service and Good Conduct medal, Photo NZDF

Following his time at the War College, John served as the Senior National Officer to HQ USCENTCOM in Tampa, working within the CC J5 Combined Planning Group. Upon returning to New Zealand, he was appointed Commander of the newly formed Deployable Joint Interagency Task Force (DJITAF). In early 2015, he was promoted to Brigadier and became the inaugural Chief of Defence Intelligence.

“Veterans are trained in leadership – they know how to lead, to inspire and to motivate people. When you are in the services, leadership traits are identified, valued and developed. The military finds the best leaders and accelerates them. Leadership is also recognised and acknowledged: the rank signifies to others the responsibility someone has.”

“Veterans have the ability and confidence to speak truth to power. This is essential in the combat world, but just as essential in any environment, to enable effective teams. Leaders who are not curious are not leaders.”

“This comes from the values veterans bring with them. The values of courage, commitment, comradeship, and Integrity become part of your DNA and stay with you, from when you first become a soldier. The values reinforce the ‘service before self’ model and how people put others’ needs ahead of their personal needs. These values are hard earned and easily degraded,” he said.

In November 2017, John was promoted to Major General and deployed for three years as the Deputy Director for Commonwealth Integration at the US Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C. In this capacity, he was the only non-US Deputy across the 18 agencies of the US Intelligence Community. He has also served on secondment to the National Security Group of the DPMC and other entities.

When John reflects on his career, he is keen to see better pathways for people leaving the forces.

“The national recognition of a highly capable veteran is still not as mature as our nation needs it to be. Veterans in similar countries are much more integrated into the public and private sectors. I would like to see it improve here with more recognition of the skills and experiences veterans can bring to any situation. What I do know is that once an employer finds a good veteran, they are excited, and will look for more,” he said.

For his operational leadership, John was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM). He has also been awarded the US Legion of Merit (Officer Grade) and the US Meritorious Service Medal (with one Oak Leaf Cluster).

John is a now Senior Fellow with the New Zealand Initiative and advises on issues relating to strategy, risk and organisational performance in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.