Chief Warrant Officer Raphael Oa
Force Sergeant Major of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force
Chief Warrant Officer Raphael Oa hails from Bereina and was educated at Della Salle Boys High School, Mainohama. He enlisted in the Papua New Guinea Defence Force in July 1981 and has over 31 years’ experience as an infantryman.
He completed Basic and Initial Employment Training at Goldie River Training Depot, Port Moresby and was posted to Second Royal Pacific Islands Regiment, Moem Barracks in Wewak, East Sepik Province.
As a Senior Noncommissioned Officer, Chief Warrant Officer Oa has held a number of appointments throughout his career including Rifleman; Machine Gunner; Section Commander, Delta Company; 2RPIR, 2nd Battalion, Wewak, East Sepik Province; Platoon Drill Sergeant at Recruit Company in Goldie River Training Depot; Small Arms Instructor, Platoon Sergeant at 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Kapooka, Australia; Company Sergeant Major Recruit Company, Wing Sergeant Major Infantry Wing and Regimental Sergeant Major at GRTD; Regimental Sergeant Major, 2RPIR, 2nd Battalion, Wewak, East Sepik Province and Deputy Force Sergeant Major at Papua New Guinea Defence Force in Murray Barracks.
Chief Warrant Officer Oa participated in Internal Bougainville Crisis, and 2007 National Elections in Operations Campaign in Highlands Area, Papua New Guinea.
His military and civilian education includes the Recruit Instructor Development Course, Noncommissioned Officer Courses and Small Arms Training Course in Canungra, Australia, Comprehensive Crisis Management Course at APESS, Hawaii. He holds a diploma in American Language Course.
Chief Warrant Officer Oa’s awards and decorations includes the Distinguish Military Service Medal, British Empire Medal, Australian Defence Force Commendation Award, Australian Recruit Instructor Badge, 10th & 30th Papua New Guinea Independence Medals, 50th Pacific Islands Regiment Medal, 60-year Diamond Jubilee Medal and Papua New Guinea Defence Force Commendation Medal.
In October 2011, he assumed the appointment of Force Sergeant Major of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force at Head Quarters in Murray Barracks.
He is married to Solange and together they have four children.
Chief Warrant Officer Raphael Oa is a graduate of Class 61 of the Sergeants Major Course.