MARRIOTT, Simon Montague

Major, Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps (Territorial Force)

CITATION

New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration

Queen's Birthday Honours List 2010

Major Simon Montague MARRIOTT, Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps (Territorial Force) Major Marriott has been instrumental in the

continued existence of the Waikato Mounted Rifles as the only Territorial Force armoured sub-unit, despite a number of significant challenges.

He has developed innovative and progressive training regimes that have allowed the unit to deliver a real capability. This includes arrangements

for personnel from the unit to train with British cavalry regiments. He also ensured the unit was well placed to take on new equipment and

adapt to the changes brought on  by the introduction of the Pinzgauer Reconnaissance Vehicle and the Light Armoured Vehicle. This approach

to training and the drive to maintain a useable capability translated into competent and capable soldiers who were fully committed.

Since his appointment as the Squadron Commander in January 2000, personnel from the unit have deployed to Timor-Leste, Solomon Islands,

Afghanistan and Korea. Such is the effectiveness of the Waikato Mounted Rifles that it has one of the highest rates of operational deployments

of any Territorial Force unit.

KNOWN AWARDS

New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration

New Zealand Operational Service Medal

New Zealand General Service Medal (Afghan Primary)

New Zealand Efficiency Decoration

NOTES

Born

Died

THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT