An 18-year-old Navy recruit says her Defence career is a great way to give back to New Zealand because her parents were lucky to move here from China to have her when the country's one-child policy was in force.
Seven Sharp met Gloria Lee on board the Spirit of New Zealand, which is home to this year's intake of Junior Officers.
They're nearing the end of a gruelling 22-week course which tests physical and mental strength.
Gloria left high school a year early and, with her older brother having joined the Army a few years ago, was inspired to look at what opportunities the Defence Force had.
She said she decided on the Navy because, "I wanted to leave my brother doing his thing in the Army and didn't want to be around him too much".
Just over four months in, Gloria has already experienced more than she bargained for - catching sleep when she can on a fold-down bunk, trekking with a pack heavier than herself, and having to wake up early to stretch.
"At first you don't really realise why we have to wake up at 5.25 to stretch. But we learn as it progresses that every little thing that we do does contribute to the bigger picture," she said.
The bigger picture is why she's sticking to it.
"My parents migrated here from China to have me in 2000. China used to have a one-child policy over there. And since my parents already had my older brother, if they wanted a second child they would have to move overseas," Gloria explained.
"And we were lucky enough to be able to come to New Zealand. If they didn't do that then I wouldn't be on this planet today, so it's a great way to give back," the cheerful Junior Officer said.
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