Any defence force employees on here?

[R6_kid]

Just wondering if anyone on here is in the Air Force, Navy or Army??? If you are whats your rank and what base are you at?

[sAsLEX]

there would be a few i know of, plus many ex Navy etc

Enisgn RNZNC Tamaki

[R6_kid]

im only a dependant at the moment. Dads at RNZAF Auckland. I'm going to join up on the air force undergrad scheme once im at uni, hopefully on my road to be a pilot.

and before anyone says, yes new zealand does still have an air force, and yes they have planes!!!

[sAsLEX]

crappy planes though. How about a helicopter pilot?? They are new zealands only real airbourne offensive weapon these days, SH-2G Seasprite

chuck us a pm if you want some info on the uni schemes the Navy offers, they are seriously alot better than the other two services in what you get and there is a fair bit of flexibility in the course you can undertake.

[Two Smoker]

Passed all of my selection processes for the Army to become an officer.... have been accepted to OCS, but failed my medical due to my shoulder from that highside i had :( .... Now it will be 2006 before i can get in........

[Bonez]

and before anyone says, yes new zealand does still have an air force, and yes they have planes!!! Ya can take the "force" out young falla since the combat wing was disbanded. :disapint: (Ex-RNZAF grumpy gunny Sgt here ;))

[Sniper]

Ex Army, kicked out with knee injury.

[MOTOXXX]

stayed the night in bulls at a mates married quarters on sat. had a few drinks with a some of the airforce boys.

they get wild when media call the choppers army choppers even though they have airforce in white block lettering. :killingme :killingme :killingme

[Hitcher]

yes new zealand does still have an air force, and yes they have planes!!!
Planes, yes. Force, no. Would be better renamed as the Royal New Zealand Aero Club. It is shameful to think that Warbirds has more collective strike power than the RNZAF...

[R6_kid]

i'm looking at the navy as an option... as you train with the airforce for the flying component im sure there is an oppurtunity to switch to the air force at a later date. With the air force getting new choppers soon (they just need the final ok) we will most likely have attack capable choppers (MRH-90 or a variant of).

As for the "force" thing, the orions can carry bombs, as to what extent of a payload im not sure, tho i know that our depth charges are homemade - a 500lb bomb with a depth timer on it! rich aye

[Hitcher]

As for the "force" thing, the orions can carry bombs, as to what extent of a payload im not sure, tho i know that our depth charges are homemade - a 500lb bomb with a depth timer on it! rich aye
Enough to make our enemies quiver and flee. You can chuck grenades out the window of a Cessna too!

[Hitcher]

we will most likely have attack capable choppers (MRH-90 or a variant of).
The MRH90 is a troop-lift helicopter primarily and could only be called "attack capable" in the sense that the Iroquois is. Given the NZ government's propensity not to invest in any kit that the Aussies use (with the possible exception of the ANZAC "frigates"), I would think it unlikely that they go down this road and will probably purchase the helicopter equivalent of a LAV3...

[Blakamin]

Enough to make our enemies quiver and flee. You can chuck grenades out the window of a Cessna too!
That'll be the gubmints next plan...
provided they can find enuff cessnas, we could have a bomber squadron :shifty:

[R6_kid]

my dad currently works on the Joint Engineering Management System Project, a tri-force replacement for existing parts and engineering systems. One of the blokes he works with wrote up the requirement plan, the new Huey model is too small, the UH-60 aint for us, the AB-319 is too small, in the end the EH-90 (base model) was the only thing that fitted or exceeded requirements. I think it can carry 24 troops, and also has a medium-heavy lift capability. The requirement is for 12 aircraft.

As far as i can remember im pretty sure the MRH-90 has a similar capability to the UH-60 or huey gunships, in that it can be loaded up with rockets and miniguns :2guns:

they (air force) have said what they want, as far as i know they are just waiting for the money and finalisation of the order.

[R6_kid]

and dont forget that the herks are almost up for replacement (in the next decade or so), the C-130J isnt what we need, and it has too many problems. Looks like the A-400M for us, or considering those heavy fucking LAV3's need to get overseas we might need C-17s, but thats just wishful thinking :whistle:

[That Guy]

I'm ex Navy (phew) but was a great thing to do when I was an angry 18 year old. Don't think I coulda handled the army - who wants to live in Waiuru? Guess its not too far to Manfeild or Taupo....

[R6_kid]

I'm ex Navy (phew) but was a great thing to do when I was an angry 18 year old. Don't think I coulda handled the army - who wants to live in Waiuru? Guess its not too far to Manfeild or Taupo....

and all that army training ground to play round on your dirtbike :cool2:

[jrandom]

Don't think I coulda handled the army - who wants to live in Waiuru?

Ah, but where else to go, should you wake up one morning with an inexplicable desire to have a drum solo played with teaspoons on your testicles?

[Jamezo]

Ah, but where else to go, should you wake up one morning with an inexplicable desire to have a drum solo played with teaspoons on your testicles?

your place?

:shit:

[jrandom]

your place?

:shit:

Hey, if the price was right... let's just say I still have that nice silver set I got as a wedding present ;)

[Hitcher]

Ah, but where else to go, should you wake up one morning with an inexplicable desire to have a drum solo played with teaspoons on your testicles?
Luxury! We used to lie awake at nights DREAMING of having such treatment dished out...

[Hitcher]

let's just say I still have that nice silver set I got as a wedding present
Testicles or teaspoons?

[Jamezo]

Testicles or teaspoons?

the nads. to match the platinum codpiece I gave him at his bar-mitzvah.

[Jamezo]

There's a can of fish all over the world tonight. [Herman's Hermits]

I misheard those lyrics the exact same way... still only heard the song once fortunately!

[Bonez]

As for the "force" thing, the orions can carry bombs, as to what extent of a payload im not sure, tho i know that our depth charges are homemade - a 500lb bomb with a depth timer on it! rich aye Not home made son. Listed in the appropriate NZAP/NAVAIR (was in Air Staff and weapons prep), they are standard components available from ol uncle sam...

[sAsLEX]

Planes, yes. Force, no. Would be better renamed as the Royal New Zealand Aero Club. It is shameful to think that Warbirds has more collective strike power than the RNZAF...

So does the navy with our choppers!

[R6_kid]

So does the navy with our choppers!

flown by pilots trained by the air force, maintained by air force engineers... thats wierd... mind you if they pay for me to be a pilot im not complaining :2thumbsup

[Storm]

I am an apprentice electrican with the Royal N.Z Engineers in Linton. Just a lowly sapper

[Blakamin]

I am an apprentice electrican with the Royal N.Z Engineers in Linton. Just a lowly sapper
Say hello to my brother-in-law... he's the new "boss" (rsm of the whole camp)

[Indiana_Jones]

As you may know I'm going for Seaman officer :D
Can anyone offer me any advice on how to imporve on my spelling for that damn vocab test for officer level? :p

Also, any advice for the selection board would be nice.

Any expernce during this process for any force would would very helpful.

Thanks

-Indy

[Storm]

I cannot raise my unworthy voice to the FSM. I am lowly

[Indiana_Jones]

I cannot raise my unworthy voice to the FSM. I am lowly

Come again?

-Indy

[Storm]

I am the lowest rank and he is the 2nd highest rank it is possible to be in the army

[sAsLEX]

flown by pilots trained by the air force, maintained by air force engineers... thats wierd... mind you if they pay for me to be a pilot im not complaining :2thumbsup


Dont think rossi maintains his bike! But yeah had to have them do something when someone decided we had no need for a combat wing

[Storm]

So we dont mix in the same kind of circles, know what I mean?

[sAsLEX]

that would be major general wouldnt it, 2nd highest??? But RSM and the likes are the sort of people you hold with utmost respect lest you piss them off!

[R6_kid]

Dont think rossi maintains his bike! But yeah had to have them do something when someone decided we had no need for a combat wing

the RNZAF a/c techs have always done it, my dad was wasp flight abourd HMNZS Wellington back in the 80s/90s

[sAsLEX]

yeah they know what they are doing and have been doing it for years with the infrastructure to support it so it was a logical decision to keep them fixing helos, plus gives them a chance to see the 7 seas.

[Blakamin]

I cannot raise my unworthy voice to the FSM. I am lowly
yup... that be him! he tried getting me in the army 15 years ago... i told him "there is no fuckin way I'm takin orders from you!"
he still wishes he could get me in at times... must be a revenge thing for the shit-stirring :lol:

(like when I tell him the reason the national anthem is "god defend NZ" coz the army couldnt.... :devil2: )

[That Guy]

As you may know I'm going for Seaman officer :D
Can anyone offer me any advice on how to imporve on my spelling for that damn vocab test for officer level? :p

Also, any advice for the selection board would be nice.

Any expernce during this process for any force would would very helpful.

Thanks

-Indy

I've done both the Navy and the air force ones, and got in to both too (chose the navy). It was a few years ago now ('93) so it will have changed a bit but the principles will be the same. Improving your spelling? Um....go to school. Read lots. d'oh.

My advice would be to be yourself, think before your answer the questions, concentrate at all times and try to relax. The problems/scenarios they put to you are fairly easy to solve, but if you are hyped up and nervous they will seem more difficult. Be positive, back your self no matter what is happening. Be confident - but not cocky. Even in social times they will be watching. But above all don't try and act and be someone who you think they want - be yourself.

[Sniper]

yup... that be him! he tried getting me in the army 15 years ago... i told him "there is no fuckin way I'm takin orders from you!"
he still wishes he could get me in at times... must be a revenge thing for the shit-stirring :lol:

(like when I tell him the reason the national anthem is "god defend NZ" coz the army couldnt.... :devil2: )

Yep I also saw some unfortunate basta say that to him when he was out at a pubs. Not very clever to say when you get to your new posty and he is there to welcome you with a smile on his face :gob:

[Blakamin]

Yep I also saw some unfortunate basta say that to him when he was out at a pubs. Not very clever to say when you get to your new posty and he is there to welcome you with a smile on his face :gob:
hehehehe.. :ar15:

[Blakamin]

Then there was the time he was posted to Aus and I put the Australian flag up on the kiwi house at duntroon military academy... :2thumbsup

[Indiana_Jones]

I've done both the Navy and the air force ones, and got in to both too (chose the navy). It was a few years ago now ('93) so it will have changed a bit but the principles will be the same. Improving your spelling? Um....go to school. Read lots. d'oh.

My advice would be to be yourself, think before your answer the questions, concentrate at all times and try to relax. The problems/scenarios they put to you are fairly easy to solve, but if you are hyped up and nervous they will seem more difficult. Be positive, back your self no matter what is happening. Be confident - but not cocky. Even in social times they will be watching. But above all don't try and act and be someone who you think they want - be yourself.

Thanks man, I'll try to keep that in mind.

-Indy

[Storm]

Major General is the top officer rank- but at that level they are more politicians than army folks. The rank structure is divided into two lots- Ordinary Ranks (O.R's) and Officers .
The only rank higher for ORs than formation serjeant major is serjeant major of the army.
Technically any officer is senior to any OR, but some little 19 yr old kid with zits doesnt tell a 20 yr plus vet what to do-not more than once anyway !

[R6_kid]

man this is becoming a nice old rant in'it

[Hoon]

I'm in the Army Territorials as a Private in the Infantry. The only Officers I have any real contact with are my Platoon Commander and sometimes the OC (Company Commander). Every now and then some big wig Colonel might come down for a chat.
I can't comment on the Army as a career option but as a weekend job it rocks!! Can't complain with getting paid to shoot and blow shit up!!!

(My unit demonstrating a LAV3 assault at Big Boys Toys '04)

[sAsLEX]

Major General is the top officer rank- but at that level they are more politicians than army folks. The rank structure is divided into two lots- Ordinary Ranks (O.R's) and Officers .
The only rank higher for ORs than formation serjeant major is serjeant major of the army.
Technically any officer is senior to any OR, but some little 19 yr old kid with zits doesnt tell a 20 yr plus vet what to do-not more than once anyway !

Commissioned Ranks in the NZ Army
Lieutenant General
Major General
Brigadier
Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Major
Captain
Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant

from the horses mouth http://www.army.mil.nz/default.asp?CHANNEL=ABOUT+NZ+ARMY&PAGE=Rank

would be an army CDF that would hold that top rank though

[Indiana_Jones]

Field Marshall Haig's "Grand Plan" is still in action :laugh:

-Indy

[Blakamin]

(My unit demonstrating a LAV3 assault at Big Boys Toys '04)
Lintons new FSM was one of the asssessors that went to canada to check out the LAVs....
complain to him :msn-wink:

[Storm]

I stand corrected. As I understand it there are several wartime only ranks as well, but I dont know what they are. As an actual working man, I have little to no interest in what the top knobs do. Generally the only time high ranks come around is those delightful little "chats" at smoko, where your immediate boss is glaring at you real close from behind the general etc, so you cant really tell him that your hq are a sack of shite, and useless pricks can you? (At least, not if you still hope to work there in peace!! :shit: )

[That Guy]

Just ranting on here....all forces have equivalent ranks -
Navy Lieutenant = Army Captain = Airforce Flight Lieutenant. (by the way Lieutenant is a french word and despite the yanks making up their own pronouciation of the word as is their way, the correct way to pronounce it is "Leftenant")

In NZ:
Chief Navy = Rear Admiral
Chief Air = Air Vice Marshall
Chief Army = Major General

Chief of Defence = Vice Admiral, Air Marshall, or Lieutenant General. Thats as high as it goes in NZ 'cause our forces aren't big enought to require anything higher, but the ranks go further:

Admiral
Air Chief Marshall
General

and then another:

Admiral of the Fleet
Marshall of the Air Force
Field Marshall

[Hitcher]

One thing that would put me off joining the Air Force is the naff uniform -- particularly That Hat. I also find the epaulette hoops for officers particularly difficult to decipher -- squity little pale blue and dark blue bands.

New Zealand is too small to have three separate services. They should be combined. That would save heaps in uniform costs and also other stuff like administration.

[That Guy]

One thing that would put me off joining the Air Force is the naff uniform -- particularly That Hat. I also find the epaulette hoops for officers particularly difficult to decipher -- squity little pale blue and dark blue bands..

Yeah Air force & Army are hard to see - Navy heapes easier.



New Zealand is too small to have three separate services. They should be combined. That would save heaps in uniform costs and also other stuff like administration.

We do really - its called the NZDF, of which three different disciplines (air, sea, land) all are a part of. Each environment requires very distinct skills so you'd end up with a bit of a mess if you tried to get a Navy person to fly a Herc, and Army person to drive a ship etc....weather you stitch up a green uniform or a blue one the cost is the same - and being a govt department thinking that by calling them all the same force would save admin costs is a bit optimisitic!

When the NZDF can buy something that suits all services they generally do to increase buying power.

[Gixxer]

that would be major general wouldnt it, 2nd highest??? But RSM and the likes are the sort of people you hold with utmost respect lest you piss them off!

It is like when you are posted to a ship and alongside, the 2nd officer of the day (maybe an ensign) could be on the flight deck, but he ain't going to ask the quarter master to fetch him a coffee.

[Gixxer]

I'm ex Navy (phew) but was a great thing to do when I was an angry 18 year old. Don't think I coulda handled the army - who wants to live in Waiuru? Guess its not too far to Manfeild or Taupo....

What rank and branch? when did you get out?

[R6_kid]

One thing that would put me off joining the Air Force is the naff uniform -- particularly That Hat.

for around base they have adopted the yanks trend of baseball caps, and also bought the old rimmed floppy hat in aswell, kinda more gay than the postie hats they were now

[sAsLEX]

It is like when you are posted to a ship and alongside, the 2nd officer of the day (maybe an ensign) could be on the flight deck, but he ain't going to ask the quarter master to fetch him a coffee.

Yeah normally mid to subLt, you are the OOD when LT and above. And that would be a rapid way to making life difficult for yourself!

oh and the Navy hats are the best cause the keep the sun and the rain off!!

[Two Smoker]

Yeah normally mid to subLt, you are the OOD when LT and above. And that would be a rapid way to making life difficult for yourself!

oh and the Navy hats are the best cause the keep the sun and the rain off!!
I dont know, i think the Army SD hats are better for keeping off the sun and rain... :whistle:

[Gixxer]

Yeah normally mid to subLt, you are the OOD when LT and above. And that would be a rapid way to making life difficult for yourself!

oh and the Navy hats are the best cause the keep the sun and the rain off!!

Yeah, I had a young fella who was still at the OT school doing there sea training, ask me to make him a coffee one night, the OOD laughed at him and told him to pull his head in. I could not keep the smirk off my face, and it went into the incident log for the other QM's to have a laugh at. :killingme

I think the navy blue floopy hat was pretty cool when we first got them.

[sAsLEX]

I dont know, i think the Army SD hats are better for keeping off the sun and rain... :whistle:

ours are vinyl like, think the grunts ones are material so would soak through, look forward to seeing you at our bar there TS in 06, oh and winning the Weka against you as well!!