My NIOA Experience

Justin Smith, Brand Creative Manager for Barrett Firearms, recently travelled to Brisbane, Australia, with his wife Lindsey as part of a NIOA and Barrett employee exchange program.

When I met my wife Lindsey in 2008, we discussed our favourite destinations and future travel dreams. Australia was always at the top of my list since I had studied abroad there in 1999. This year, our dream came true with the NIOA/Barrett cross-continental employee exchange program. Upon being selected for the trip, we began planning our professional and personal goals.

We embarked on our 24-hour journey to Brisbane, which included three flights and an Uber ride. Despite the lack of Ferrari-level excitement, our Uber driver provided insightful conversation about what to expect in Australia. At the Alcyone Hotel, we received a warm welcome from the reception team and a gift from NIOA. Our accommodation was modern, spacious and comfortable, with beautiful views from our balcony.

The NIOA Head Office features a creatively inspiring design, blending a black, grey and silver palette with large windows and warm wood accents. Each day, walking through the tall, stainless-steel doors felt like an immersive cultural experience. The thoughtfully planned touchpoints, from product showcases to the atrium refreshments area, made the workspace enjoyable.

The people at NIOA were as impressive as the building. Every person I met shared a passion and expertise that the company promotes. After three days, 21 meetings, and 24 hours of discussions, I am confident in the bright future for NIOA and its global partners.

On the marketing side, I contributed to the Land Forces trade show booth graphics and proofed the NIOA New Zealand Hot Products Catalogue and banner graphics for upcoming events.

While in Australia, Lindsey and I enjoyed a variety of cuisine, from local pub grub to authentic Japanese. We also explored the area by boat, train and shuttle. We visited Tangalooma Resort and kayaked to the shipwrecks of Moreton Island. Lindsey visited Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where she held a koala, fed a kangaroo and prepped meals for a platypus. At Australia Zoo, we enjoyed exhibits and learned about the zoo’s operations on a Back of the House tour. We also watched rugby matches, including the State of Origin and a Brisbane Broncos game.

This trip was a once in a lifetime experience. We are truly humbled and grateful to everyone who made it possible, shared in the laughs and embraced our quirks – thank you.

Justin Smith
Brand Creative Manager, Barrett Firearms

My Barrett Exchange

Richard Basladynski, NIOA Regional Engineering Manager for NSW, has long been captivated by firearms. With years of study and experience, this trip to Barrett Firearms was a dream come true.

The legend of the Barrett M82 rifle captured my imagination long before I ever saw one. The story of Carlos Hathcock using a .50 calibre M2HB in Vietnam to achieve the longest recorded sniper hit fascinated me, while movies like Predator 2 and Navy SEALs added to the mystique. Among my military friends, the Barrett 50cal became a symbol of power and precision.

I first glimpsed the Barrett M82 at DSU Rockhampton as Navy SEALs unloaded their equipment. Though I couldn’t get a closer look, years later, I finally held one while working with Sea Bees at Freshwater Beach. Though not yet in Australian service, the Barrett M82 had already achieved near-mythical status among gun enthusiasts, leading us to create a “Backyard Nutters Club” with t-shirts featuring its image.

During my fourth year at university, my classmates surprised me with a Barrett Megafactories DVD for my birthday. Little did I know that I’d one day visit the factory. Earlier this year my boss, Rob Nioa, offered me the chance to visit Barrett in the USA on an exchange program. I was stunned and elated. The opportunity to visit the home of the rifle that had fascinated me for so long was a dream come true.

In Murfreesboro, Tennessee, I spent two weeks immersed in the world of Barrett Firearms, working closely with the Engineering R&D and Sales teams. We exchanged insights from our Australian firearms experience, highlighting the progress our team had made over the past four years. The importance of international collaboration was evident, especially in aligning test standards among NATO forces within the AUKUS partnership.

Of course, no visit to a gun factory would be complete without some shooting. I spent a morning at Chris Barrett’s range, testing several rifles, including the MRADELR™ and MK22. The experience culminated in a friendly shooting competition, pitting American and Australian skills against each other.

While in the U.S., I also visited the Marshall Space Flight Center and the Grand Ole Opry. One night, while Matt and Tracie went to see Hootie and the Blowfish, I was left to my own devices to go out and make friends. While I was sitting down at a rooftop bar a man noticed my RM Williams boots and shirt and asked if I was an Aussie. We hit it off instantly and it turned out he was a train driver from Bundaberg who had worked with one of my Army mates at 2Cav. It’s a small world!

The trip to Barrett was filled with unforgettable memories and valuable lessons, reinforcing the importance of hard work and collaboration. It was a reminder that dedication within our company is recognised and rewarded.

I returned to Australia with a deeper appreciation for the Barrett range of products and the team behind them, grateful for this extraordinary experience.

Richard Basladynski
Regional Engineering Manager NSW, NIOA