As one of only six female officers in His Majesty’s Armed Forces Tonga, Captain Hehea Lino strives to be a role model for young women.
The Tongan Army captain, from the main island of Tongatapu in the village of Alakifonua, joined the military after completing a degree in computer science at the University of the South Pacific, studying in Tonga and Fiji.
“There are so few of us (female officers), I am conscious of it every day,” Captain Lino said.
“It shapes how I carry myself.”
Captain Lino joined the military after a relative suggested she could help develop its cyberspace programs, which was an area of interest for her.
But, for the past nine months, the military officer has been representing her country in the Pacific Response Group (PRG), a multinational military unit that provides humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) to Pacific Island nations.
‘I was unprepared physically, mentally and emotionally. But I learned a lot about myself.’
She had just returned to Tonga after her two-and-a-half-month long captain’s course in New Zealand when she learned about the PRG posting.
“Usually we know we are going somewhere because the administration staff ask for our passports, but that hadn’t happened,” Captain Lino said.
“The Colonel called me into his office and I was a bit nervous. He is a Colonel after all. But I was so excited when I found out.”
Captain Lino believes the PRG’s greatest strength is its cultural connections.
“We are a military group of six nations – Australia, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga,” she said.
“Those cultural connections make a huge difference in disaster relief operations because we have that deep cultural awareness and shared values like respect and humility.
“The PRG bridges language and cultural gaps and strengthens relationships across the Pacific region.”
As Captain Lino prepares to return to Tonga in July, she reflects on “enormous personal and professional growth” as the PRG’s communications officer.
“To engage with so many countries and people has been a highlight, plus the fun and friendships that come with that,” she said.
‘Those cultural connections make a huge difference in disaster relief operations because we have that deep cultural awareness and shared values like respect and humility.’
Another significant time of personal growth was when the young recruit was sent to Australia for officer training at the Royal Military College – Duntroon.
The then Officer Cadet was meant to do a six-week specialist service officer course but the COVID-19 pandemic prevented her returning home, so she also completed the 18-month general service officer training.
Captain Lino said it was an intense time.
“I was unprepared physically, mentally and emotionally. But I learned a lot about myself. When you hit a wall, you don’t give up. It was character building and a major boost for my confidence,” Captain Lino said.
“My father is in the Navy and he told me it would be tough. It has been, but so rewarding.
“The way I got through was prayer – my faith carried me.”
