& Co: RSA
He was one of many who was deployed for service to the country back in 1982. Now the Waikato-based veteran is still carrying out his lifetime mission by serving the community and ex-servicemen as a member of the RSA.
“I retired after 30 plus years of service with the rank of Colonel. If I had my time over I would enlist and serve again.”
In the world of digital globalisation, retired Colonel Tony Hill, and the RSA (Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association) are still carrying out their mission to serve the community, passing on knowledge by sharing their experiences as a New Zealand servicemen.
“I enlisted directly after finishing high school during the school holidays in January 1982.”
“I underwent officer training in Waiouru, and upon graduation from the Officer Cadet Training Company, I was lucky enough to be accepted into the Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers.”
Tony entered the New Zealand Defence Force with experiences in handling extreme risk activities like mixed gas construction diving, explosive demolition from land to underwater, landmine clearance, construction, and destruction. Instead of theoretical armchair strategy, Tony is a man who puts his safety on the line to achieve the assigned mission.
Tony later represented the NZDF in the Global Joint Operational Command Centres by offering operation and management services for different projects in countries with extreme hostile environments such as former Yugoslavia, former USSR, Somalia, Yemen, and Liberia.
“My career can best be described as a paid adventure. I was always astounded that I got to do exciting things with a great bunch of people, and I was also fed and paid for it. I had many deployments into the Pacific and further afield around the world. It was given exceptional training in military skills, the academics, and diplomatic arenas.”
As a New Zealand Defence Attaché, Tony contributed and committed to the New Zealand Government by advancing defence relationships, maximising country security, and broader interests.
“The NZDF exposed me to great thinkers and leaders, people of action including academics, diplomats, and also world leaders.”
Tony is now the RSA District President for Waikato, King Country, and Bay of Plenty, and retirement did not put out his passion for serving the country. Tony and the RSA work long hours to serve the local community, but they never forget the unnamed heroes who have served the country. The connection of RSA allows them to collect and document every veteran’s story accurately as respected servicemen by working closely with them and their family members.
“I have had many unforgettable moments, but the most rewarding has been to see the successes and recognition of those I have recruited, trained, or served with for their actions.”
“I think the experiences, training, and education I received while serving have made me a better person and allow me to be a positive contributor to the community as well as assist veterans and their families. I enjoy being in this space.”
