16/03/2022
A First for the RFMF
27940 Warrant Officer Class I(WO1) Kini Leweni TUISOLIA hails from the village of Nausori in Tailevu with maternal links in Nakuku Village, Vaturova in the province of Cakaudrove.
She is the youngest and the only female amongst three elder male siblings. WOI Tuisolia accredits her success to her humble beginnings - which forged within her the values of respect and humility. This has been her driving force to excel in an institution traditionally known for male dominance. She enlisted in 1988 as part of the first batch of females to join the institution. She quietly recalls that ‘it was not easy back in the 80s’ because gender equality and OHS hardly existed in the RFMF. WOI Tuisolia and her ‘sisters’ had to fully commit to the rigorous physical routine and numerous daily challenges to be on parr with their male counterparts. According to her it was a test of resolve and character and it held her in good stead for her life of soldering.
Today, WOI Tuisolia is one of the most senior enlisted non-commissioned military personnel (Sui-Tu/Dauvakacibi-i-valu) currently serving in the RFMF. She humbly started off in the RFMF Band and then later did in-service training at FSN and became a military nurse by profession. She deployed as a member of the medical team on majority of her deployments to our Middle East peacekeeping missions. Throughout the years she has held both administrative/medical appointments at GMMC and FTG supporting training courses for frontline units. This year, she deployed as Welfare Officer for 1FIR – Fiji Batt 8 to the UNDOF Mission. Recently, she was posted as the Acting Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) in addition to her primary responsibilities. She is also poised as a nurse to assist our medical staff in emergencies or whenever they need assistance.
With only a few more years of service left in her military career, WOI Tuisolia quietly cherishes with humility the fact that she has made made history in the RFMF to be the first female RSM of a unit on active service both in Fiji and abroad. Noticeably, the nuances of the appointment does not show on ‘Ms Tui’ as she is normally addressed by her junior soldiers.
WO1 Tuisolia acknowledges with gratitude the current re-set of the RFMF to promote the visibility of females in their roles and the fostering of gender equality in the institution. Through this positive change, she has been able to lead and hold the appointment of the RSM in a role that historically only had male predecessors.
Her advice to young people is this - society is filled with its vast opulence of talents, knowledge, and proficiencies notwithstanding its adversities. The key to succeeding is enduring hardships and loving what you do every day. Mistakes are bound to be made – never give up and keep moving forward. Always understand that no one is perfect but what you reap today is what you sowed yesterday.
1FIR Salutes WOI Tuisolia. She is a first for the RFMF.
,courage,and perseverance.
