Staff Sergeant Alisi Nawele inspires with decades of army service and family legacy

When Staff Sergeant (Ssgt) Alisi Nawele marched in full British Army uniform at the 106th Remembrance Day ceremony in Suva on Tuesday, she did so with quiet pride.

The event honoured Fijians who served on missions abroad and those who never made it home. For Sgt Nawele, the moment carried the weight of her mother’s prayers and the struggles that shaped her childhood.

Her mother, Miriama Dilioni, stood among the crowd, tears in her eyes as she reflected on their hardships.
“This God is an awesome God,” she whispered.
"I think back to the sleepless nights, the days we had nothing, when the market was our only income. When I saw her leading the soldiers in the march, my eyes were full of tears.”

She is also grateful for her daughter’s generosity.
“She helped unemployed villagers join the army,” her mother said.
“Everything is working out slowly.”

Ssgt Nawele has served in the British Army for 22 years, beginning in 2003 when the British recruiting team came to Fiji.
“We did the selection here and then moved across to finish training,” Ssgt Nawele said.
“Today, about 4,000 Fijians are in the British Army, and more than 1,000 are women.”

Her own children are following in her footsteps.
“My son just joined the British Army, and my daughter is still in school but planning her future,” she shared.

Despite the growing number of Fijians in the force, many Fijian women remain hesitant. Ms Nawele encourages them to embrace the challenge.
“If you really want this opportunity, you must sacrifice. It’s not easy. But the benefits are huge—you travel, play sports, you grow. You must put your heart into it.”

Ssgt Nawele was in Fiji with the British Army Women’s Netball Team, a 16-member squad currently on tour. They played an international match last weekend and were preparing to face the Fiji Defence Force.

Her 22-year career has taken her far from home, including deployments to Iraq, where she worked in HR and as a female search officer.
“You just have to stay fit, stay focused, and keep going every day,” she said.