Life in the New Zealand Army

people, the high point of their life is their 21st party and then it’s all downhill

from there. Well, maybe it’s not quite as bleak as that. But for many people,

a nice, quiet ordinary lifestyle is about the best they can hope for. Not that

there’s anything wrong with spending ten years paying off your student debt

and then another 25 years paying off your mortgage — that is, after all, what

drives our economy. But if you aspire to stand out from the crowd and contribute

something more than just taxes to your country (and have a little bit of

excitement thrown in) then maybe you should be thinking about a few years in

the NZ Army. Why join a gym? After your All Arms Recruit Course (AARC) — the 12-week

training course at Waiouru — you’ll be in the best shape of your life. Why pay

for your education? Let the taxpayers pick up the tab. Want to boost your

self-confidence? Learn how to stand up straight and be proud. Want to learn a

trade? The NZ Army has 20 different career paths in such bankable skills

as IT, management, healthcare and engineering.

So what are the negatives? Well, you have to make a very serious commitment

— basically, your time, space and energy for three years. It could be dangerous —

after all, you’ll be firing weapons and there is a chance someone could be

shooting back. And you have to play by the rules. The NZ Army is very regulated;

you’ll keep to a schedule, dress and act in a standard format and do what you’re

told. Not everyone is army material. But those who are can have a great future.

Unlike other countries, where teens are sometimes forced into the military

(or militias or guerrilla groups or gangs), the NZ Army is very selective in who it

chooses. And once you are accepted there is no guarantee you’ll be able to

pass the AARC. Few sessions go the distance without at least a few washouts.

You’ll get tired and dirty, learn how to follow orders and test yourself in ways

you never thought possible. But at the end you’ll be on your way to an awesome

experience that will jump-start your future.

Once you’ve successfully passed the rigorous AARC, you’ll settle into

a routine. Your typical work day will start at 8am and finish before 5pm,

with lunch at midday. Most units will conduct at least three sessions

of physical training a week, with one of those likely to be a team sports

afternoon or competition. Soldiers might find themselves doing after-hours duty

in most camps and might be ‘on call’ to carry out any special tasks, such as

responding to civil defence emergencies. You generally won’t work weekends.

First-year soldiers will most likely reside in barrack accommodation

located within the camp they are posted to. Barrack accommodation generally

consists of a single room with shared living areas like common rooms,

kitchenettes, ablutions and washing facilities. Barrack rooms are able to be

fitted out with things like telephone lines and Sky TV. You’ll eat with your mates

and the food is excellent and plentiful. The actual type of work you’ll do in

camp depends on your trade. Combat trades can usually be found training for

their different roles, including weapons training, navigation or communications.

For those in support and apprentice trades, they’re more likely to be found

in a workshop repairing a broken radio, in a warehouse preparing stores or on a

building site laying foundations. Most soldiers conduct field exercises

several times a year. This is where you’ll practise all aspects of soldiering.

Exercises are conducted throughout New Zealand and overseas with most large

scale exercises being in Waiouru. “If an individual is after a real

challenge, in a fulfilling environment, using state-of-the-art equipment, with

continuous training and a chance to make a real contribution to New

Zealand both here and overseas,” says Palmerston North recruiter Captain Matt

Watts, “then the army is the perfect career. The army looks after its people

at work and after work. We have gyms, sports and hobbies clubs. We provide our

soldiers with the ability to learn while being paid — we even provide housing

assistance.” The NZ Army isn’t for everyone. It is a challenge. But the bigger the

challenge, the bigger the rewards. And the rewards can be big indeed.

“Every day is different; sometimes you are on the road, others you are cross-country driving. I’ve seen lots

of New Zealand, there is great social life and sports are encouraged. My goal is to be deployed as a driver

to Sinai,” says Private Bronwyn Jessop, a driver from Linton