Captain Tegabwasa now an instructor

DESPITE his formidable status on the rugby field and commanding stature, Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) Captain Jonathon “Tegs” Tegabwasa is known for his kind nature, approachable leadership and humble presence.
Captain Tegabwasa enlisted into the PNGDF in 2013 and was selected to attend the Royal Military College-Duntroon (RMC-D) where he graduated in December 2014 and began an impressive career that proves the proverb “Mum knows best”.
“Joining the army was always on my mind ever since high school, so I asked my mum if I could join straight away but she advised me to get a degree first,” he said.
“I’m really appreciative of that advice now.
“I got a degree in communications and I believe it set me up for success.”
Captain Tegabwasa posted to the PNGDF’s 2nd Battalion Royal Pacific Islands Regiment as a platoon commander and later as the unit adjutant.
His successive postings included aide de camp to the Chief of the Defence Force and instructor at the Joint Forces Academy.
A man of his word, Captain Tegs explained these roles were part of a career plan to achieve his goal of returning to Australia as an RMC-D instructor.
“As a cadet, I always wanted to come back and be an instructor,” he said.
“There’s a board in the MI block that lists all the international instructors from each of the various countries and I simply told myself, “I want to get my name on that board.”
In 2022, Tegabwasa achieved that goal, posting to RMC-D as an international instructor.
“It’s a unique experience to be on the other side this time and it’s been an excellent working environment with the other instructors, most of whom I went through training with.”
Tegabwasa said that as a cadet, he understood firsthand the comfort that international instructors bring to the cadets as the challenges of military training were enhanced by an intense culture shock.
“I include our other colleagues from the region too, like Vanuatu, Fiji and Timor-Leste.”