Anyone here been in the army?

[sunhuntin]

just after stories and the like. was chatting to the security guard at winz, and he gave me some brochures. currently only looking to be part time [min 20 days a year] maybe moving to fulltime. no idea what area yet, maybe infantry or something.

its something i have toyed with the idea of for a while, and if i could get in, it would be a real incentive to do something about my weight.

thanks in advance!

[Mr Merde]

Yep,

NZ Artillery, Gnr, 3 years

British airborne 1 year

Great life

[boomer]

just after stories and the like. was chatting to the security guard at winz, and he gave me some brochures. currently only looking to be part time [min 20 days a year] maybe moving to fulltime. no idea what area yet, maybe infantry or something.

its something i have toyed with the idea of for a while, and if i could get in, it would be a real incentive to do something about my weight.

thanks in advance!

yeah i can just see you at the Army careers office now...


Sergant > "So how can i help you lovey?"
You > "I'd like to join the army.. well when i say army.. i mean like part time"
Sergant > "Oh is that right lovey... ? Whats your driver?"
You > "oh I'd like to loose some weight and the security guard at Winz seemed like a nice geeza ! "
Sergant > Pisses himself..


ps.. theres a whole thread on whos been in the army.. do a search ;)

[Number One]

Hey chicky. I'm an army brat :rolleyes: dad is a career soldier. Was ex SAS too...which I only found out recently.....very interesting if only I could get more info!!!

Anyway - what I learned growing up. In the army you are a soldier FIRST and a person/parent/partner LAST. Due to my experience there is no way I would have ever gotten involved with anyone in any of the forces. Number One doesn't come SECOND...EVER!!! :lol:

Seriously though - I did look into joining myself - on parents suggestion to avoid having to get a student loan. They didn't want me due to my asthma. Re the weight...you'll likely need to lose it first otherwise Basic Training will really really blardy horrible.

On a positive note - there is REAL comradeship in the forces.

Good luck with your decision :sunny:

[boomer]

Yep,

NZ Artillery, Gnr, 3 years

British airborne 1 year

Great life


hence Mr Merde..??!!! shit can fly huh !!!



I was a Royal Engineer for HRH

[NOMIS]

Yeh, was injured would still be there otherwise :-( they stuffed me around when went to go back bastards.

Mate got kicked out said its turned to shit with new c/o ect.. he the first person to ever get the boot that hasnt spent anytime in military prision in something like before world war 2.. crazy

[NOMIS]

Ooh oh oh and aparntly you get duvets ( spelling ) now and you dont have to do bed rolls and BMBDR richards isnt on TRD bashing recruits no more. :-)

hey gone soft now i think, down side is there only 1 3month basic a year now and the rest are 6months. Basic had a big revamp a couple of basics after mine due to recruits getting hidings ect and lil wingers that couldnt hack it complaining.

[bouncer_man]

I was army for a few years, even trained with some navy seals in Oz which was an eye opener.:Playnice: Totally loved it and gained some great mates from it but lost touch a few years ago with them. :weep:

[MSTRS]

Join the army
Learn some 'interesting' skills
Travel to new lands
Meet new people
And kill them

Actually, charity begins at home. Thought about joining The Vigilantes?:2guns:

Seriously, if it's something YOU want to do, then forget all the advice here...just get on with achieving your goal.

[Rashika]

Hey Sunhuntin...

I was a medic in the army, part-time territorials for about 18 months before I went overseas, a few years ago now. Went to the first Golden fleece camp, had a brilliant time inbetween the lack of sleep and work.
Great experience, I learned a lot, especially about taking orders. Probably why I dont do it so well now!

But yeah it is a good experience, although you should aim for higher than infantry... (nothing wrong with grunts.. so dont hurt me guys!.. but if you have some brains you might as well use them). Theres a whole bunch of cool areas; driving, supplies, techies, medical, and they will train you up, even to uni if its needed.
It will give you a focus, but yeah you need to be moderately fit/healthy before joining (tho a little overweight is ok, just harder work when you are in)... so look into it and if you need to lose some weight to get there then get into it.

TF (terries) is a good place to start to see if you will like it. We had about 1/3 join full time (RF - regular force) over the time I was in. I have a cousin who is still in logistics after about 15 years, hes been on several overseas posting, and another cousin who was in the AF as a chopper pilot, then trainer and now trains pilots in Saudi.
Definately something to think about

[alanzs]

Have a friend in the US Marines stationed in Iraq. I would think if you wanted to join the military, NZ would be the place to do it. Good luck!

[Nasty]

just after stories and the like. was chatting to the security guard at winz, and he gave me some brochures. currently only looking to be part time [min 20 days a year] maybe moving to fulltime. no idea what area yet, maybe infantry or something.

its something i have toyed with the idea of for a while, and if i could get in, it would be a real incentive to do something about my weight.

thanks in advance!


Wannabiker is involved in recruitment .. he may be able to help you.

[Quasievil]

I was in the Army, bloody brilliant years, best thing you can do ! mates skills and you get to shoot really cool BFG's !
dont wait get into it.

[BigG]

If ya can put up with all the shit in basic training you'll end up a much stronger person in mind and body. I did 3 years hard yacker, teach you various ways to kill and heaps of ways to survive. Can learn good trade skills and heaps of other stuff, Yep I would say go for it.

[firefighter]

ARMY with a future! hahaha, if you want to travel and like having fun travelling- then the NAVY is definately the best way to go, you will get 50x the travel you get in the other services, and paid extra for being away, but if your hardcore set on the ARMY get into it, but yes if you go ARMY you will need to get fit first (good thing about NAVY recruit course is hard but i'd say easier physically but you need to be a little bit smarter....)

[boomer]

ARMY with a future! hahaha, if you want to travel and like having fun travelling- then the NAVY is definately the best way to go, you will get 50x the travel you get in the other services, and paid extra for being away, but if your hardcore set on the ARMY get into it, but yes if you go ARMY you will need to get fit first (good thing about NAVY recruit course is hard but i'd say easier physically but you need to be a little bit smarter....)

a bit smarter..??!!! hahhahaha don't you mean 'gay'; everyone knows teh Navy is for shirt lifters

[Quasievil]

ARMY with a future! hahaha, if you want to travel and like having fun travelling- then the NAVY is definately the best way to go, you will get 50x the travel you get in the other services, and paid extra for being away, but if your hardcore set on the ARMY get into it, but yes if you go ARMY you will need to get fit first (good thing about NAVY recruit course is hard but i'd say easier physically but you need to be a little bit smarter....)

Travelling yeah right, the army travels to many countries and is amongst it, the navy sits of shore drinking lattes and watching radars.

And smarter ? un fucking likely dude lol

[MSTRS]

ARMY with a future! hahaha, if you want to travel and like having fun travelling- then the NAVY is definately the best way to go, you will get 50x the travel you get in the other services, and paid extra for being away, but if your hardcore set on the ARMY get into it, but yes if you go ARMY you will need to get fit first (good thing about NAVY recruit course is hard but i'd say easier physically but you need to be a little bit smarter....)


a bit smarter..??!!! hahhahaha don't you mean 'gay'; everyone knows teh Navy is for shirt lifters


Travelling yeah right, the army travels to many countries and is amongst it, the navy sits of shore drinking lattes and watching radars.

And smarter ? un fucking likely dude lol

Gentlemen. Please. 2 on 1?

[Quasievil]

Gentlemen. Please. 2 on 1?

Army mate, hit em hard, no mercy lol

[NOMIS]

are u guys all aincient? times change lol. Navy basic is doft as hell in all departments, the training in devonport, try waioru. school mate went to nave me and another went to army sharing storie army is waay harder, and smarter??? dont think so he thick as pig shit.


Army doesnt travel neither does navy depends what trade i was a mov op working with navy for the army so yeh I would have alot once qualifies ( after 4 years ) mate went in as the same he was there a year longer than me all he got to do was antarctica , all false promises from what they told us at the begining was all bull shit, And the navy boy had to get ariliftd of the Cantubry coz of a in growen hair on his arse hole explain that, that was on the way to sydney harbor.

Please forgive me in advance for all the typo and spelling errors I know there there

[Swoop]

i was a mov op working with navy for the army

5 Mov Sqdrn?

[NOMIS]

yup so was my mate, i only just got to linton before getting injured.

[Patch]

they don't let fat bastards join the ranks.

Join the navy unless you like grunting.

[FJRider]

I was in the Army, bloody brilliant years, best thing you can do ! mates skills and you get to shoot really cool BFG's !
dont wait get into it.

What he said... Quasievel wouldnt lie...the bigger the gun...the bigger the fun. You also get heaps of cam gear...

[justsomeguy]

Depends on what kind of a person you are.

I was selected for Officer Selection School in Wellington did a week long interview there at the Army base.

Not for me, can't live as a number and in a one size fits all environment. They said as much too, didn't see me as much of a team player, which is true. Then asked if I would be keen to join the fagy or ground force, nope sorry.

Also forget about having a personal life.

Grandpa was the 1st Indian CO for the state of Goa back in India. There is real respect and honour and you live like a king - (servants, everyman -his dog-and the fleas on its back jump to attention, 5-star levels of food and accomodation, etc). But all that is earned - not given, got by chance, stolen, won, etc as it is in the private sector.

If you're keen get training - they don't call them "fighting fit" for nothing.

[shafty]

If you join the ARMY Territorials, may I suggest the position of Driver. No need for a HT licence for a start - they will train you for that, my 5 years as a "Cut Lunch Commando" incudes the memory of lying under my truck in the shade at 6 Cross (the original site of the Cold Kiwi) discreetly sipping a beer while all the Grunts double marched past toting packs.................

[James Deuce]

Infantry eh? I worked for the Army and Defence for a while and having been "integrated" and handed a brevet rank vastly above reason for the purpose of testing a variety of field data comms gear I could suggest that there are vastly more career options available to you.

You won't like this bit.

Women have less upper body strength than men.

If you want to succeed in an application to lugging 60kgs of gear over rough terrain for a living then you need to hit the weights hard.

[sunhuntin]

thanks everyone! id prefer something that doesnt need much brains [i have em, its just finding the right bit at the right time that doesnt work too well, lol] im not bad with a gun, and used to enjoy target shooting as a kid. havent done anything lately though.

its still something thats very much up in the air and yet to be discussed with susan.

[NOMIS]

thanks everyone! id prefer something that doesnt need much brains [i have em, its just finding the right bit at the right time that doesnt work too well, lol] im not bad with a gun, and used to enjoy target shooting as a kid. havent done anything lately though.

its still something thats very much up in the air and yet to be discussed with susan.

Dont call it a gun , its a weapon or rifle . that normaly gets u a boot up the ass or ur squad will do push ups while u count them out and laugh between each one.

[portokiwi]

:2guns: Yes I was in the Army for a long time, TF first then RF. I loved it.....That could be why I am who I am who I thought I am?????
Its not everyones cup of tea. If you like working in a team enviroment this could be for you.
Go to the recrutement office and ask they will help you with all the services.
They are allways looking for people to go to Afghanistan, Iraq, East timor and other exciting places.
You keep fit get decent food nice accomidation and ok pay. What more could you ask for lol.

[Hoon]

I've been Territorials for 8 years now. Been to Aussie a few times and one deployment to Solomons.
A few years ago, deployments for TF were non-existant. But now there is so much to choose from that they are screaming for numbers. Op Rata (Solomons) is a TF deployment. Also East Timor now has TF rotations as well. We've had the hard word from the CO that you must either be "deploying" or be in a "train and maintain those that are" role. Basically you have to turn up regularly or be nudged out and replaced with someone that does.

Yep the Army will keep you motivated and fit. As long as you can pass the fitness test. If fitness is your main concern and you don't mind physical challenges then go Infantry. Other trades don't focus on fitness much and you can plod along quite easily without exercising ever.

[Dave Lobster]

Dont call it a gun , its a weapon or rifle . that normaly gets u a boot up the ass or ur squad will do push ups while u count them out and laugh between each one.

Ships have guns.. men have personal weapons. ::rolleyes:

[NOMIS]

Ships have guns.. men have personal weapons. ::rolleyes:

when did the army use ships?? isnt that the navy?

[Livvy]

I might actually say to you, if you're interested in being in anything like this, Army, Navy, Airforce - the Airforce is probably my favourite choice. By the sounds of it, and correct me if I'm wrong, the Airforce sounds a little more easy going than the Army, with all the bonuses the Army has, of many different jobs available.

We had a guy come into our school this week to talk about it, and we were told one of their fitness tests is carrying 20kg walking, over 5km. For me, that would be far easier than 60kg: I only weigh in at 51 myself...

[Pussy]

I only weigh in at 51 myself...

You skinny little bugger! Go eat some pies and KFC. :D

[Livvy]

You skinny little bugger! Go eat some pies and KFC. :D
I have a Ball on Saturday, I'm trying to keep myself small enough to fit in my thank you very much :p

[NOMIS]

I might actually say to you, if you're interested in being in anything like this, Army, Navy, Airforce - the Airforce is probably my favourite choice. By the sounds of it, and correct me if I'm wrong, the Airforce sounds a little more easy going than the Army, with all the bonuses the Army has, of many different jobs available.

We had a guy come into our school this week to talk about it, and we were told one of their fitness tests is carrying 20kg walking, over 5km. For me, that would be far easier than 60kg: I only weigh in at 51 myself...

Our packs and webbing wit full amo radio gear split , and water. weighed in at around 45-55 kg in total including rifle. depends what role you had in the platoon , c9 carriers had more wieght as the carried extra rounds.

[DougB]

I was compulsory recruited into the Army at age 18 in about 1953, after basic infantry training
I was trained as a gun fitter. Great training in EME. We overhauled and fired
an artillery piece and learnt how to recover tanks and trucks down banks and in bogs.
Posted to first Infantry workshops Auckland and had weekend training in mobile workshops
from Houhora in far north to Tihoi in the centre of the NI.

After my civilian training as a tool and die maker at the Devonport Dockyard I went engineering teaching
and ended up back in the Army as a Cadet Officer. I enjoyed that, became a shooting range officer and
organised a drum and bugle band.

I joined the Band of the NZ Army, then part of first NZ infantry regiment, as a fill time
musician. This was at the time of the time of the Vietnam war. I marched playing, up every main
street from Whangarei to Invercargill. We learnt marching displays which I am pleased to say
were not as complicated as the ones performed at tattoos and functions world wide by the present band.

I enjoyed all those phases of Army life. I could have had an overseas posting but was not a
"waree" so left and went back to teaching. I would recommend Army life, it makes good
people better and often bad people worse but the fellowship never fades. If I was attacked
now I would yell ARMY at the top of my voice and expect several army or ex army men
to come running to my aid.

[TOTO]

Loved Basic training and espessially PT :niceone:


Such a great fun. And after a hard day out, the food in the mess was tasing like something that came from the gods themselves.


It aint for everyone , but if you love adventure, cant go wrong with the army.

Good luck

[NOMIS]

Loved Basic training and espessially PT :niceone:


Such a great fun. And after a hard day out, the food in the mess was tasing like something that came from the gods themselves.


It aint for everyone , but if you love adventure, cant go wrong with the army.

Good luck


when where u in toto??? I hated the food lol, ooh and i loved pt. Used to love being better than the pt instuctors, there bloody physcotic

[firefighter]

Travelling yeah right, the army travels to many countries and is amongst it, the navy sits of shore drinking lattes and watching radars.

And smarter ? un fucking likely dude lol

Wake up mate!, I served 4 1/2 years in the navy, 3 years in the Airforce, and have mingled and made many friends throughout the services, I never spent more than 6months back in auckland in my time in the Navy, and I travelled more in my first year than ANY W.O I ever talked to in the Army and Airforce, all jokes aside I went absolutely everywhere, Russia, asia, Aussie (of course) The gulf, India, and those are just the main places not including all the Islands (fiji, New caledonia etc) and many many more, i'd be surprised if the Army still visits more than 3 countries (officers aside of course) the big difference on top of the travel is that EVERYBODY goes, not the lucky few who spend 6 months in the same place, on top of the travel- the countries you visit you stop at numerous ports around the countries, so you see a lot of them.

oh yeah- and smarter as in you need to be taught a largely greater scope of skills in the navy,(and lets face it the army is not known for its brains...), not just trade specific, definately agree that the navys recruit course is now an absolute joke-much harder when i joined but i guess we all say that!- in saying that the armys one is softening up a lot too, and we won't even add the airforce one in there!!!haha, there more civilians in uniform than anything else.

In the airforce I never went further than Christchurch! hahaha, but that was what I wanted so all good lol

[firefighter]

are u guys all aincient? times change lol. Navy basic is doft as hell in all departments, the training in devonport, try waioru. school mate went to nave me and another went to army sharing storie army is waay harder, and smarter??? dont think so he thick as pig shit.


Army doesnt travel neither does navy depends what trade i was a mov op working with navy for the army so yeh I would have alot once qualifies ( after 4 years ) mate went in as the same he was there a year longer than me all he got to do was antarctica , all false promises from what they told us at the begining was all bull shit, And the navy boy had to get ariliftd of the Cantubry coz of a in growen hair on his arse hole explain that, that was on the way to sydney harbor.

Please forgive me in advance for all the typo and spelling errors I know there there

Navy doesn't travel? oh well I'll have to get my brain examined to find where all the false memories of never being home and joining the airforce because I was sick of being away came from- true story, oh yeah in the navy it's not trade specific at all-everybody goes, chefs, admin, supply, etc, I went more places than anyone I ever met in the other services in my first year, and kept on getting better and better trips, oh yeah and was getting paid extra on off pay weeks for my trouble.......

[awayatc]

Myself?...Army.......left as first lieutenant, Great time...
( not NZ army though....)

Learned a lot about a lot of different things, but most off all about finding your own strengths, weaknesses and limits.
Would do a world of good to youngsters that never get pushed past their limits.....
:scooter:

[NOMIS]

Navy doesn't travel? oh well I'll have to get my brain examined to find where all the false memories of never being home and joining the airforce because I was sick of being away came from- true story, oh yeah in the navy it's not trade specific at all-everybody goes, chefs, admin, supply, etc, I went more places than anyone I ever met in the other services in my first year, and kept on getting better and better trips, oh yeah and was getting paid extra on off pay weeks for my trouble.......

How long since you have been out?? Because I can tell you times have changed big time, You are right though you do travel in the navy and trade doesnt matter how ever there almost full of false promises as much as the army is. I was in 2 years ago.

And basic in the army changed big time on 339 ( 2 courses after mine ) because of some high up officers family member getting a beat down on recruit course alot of demotions where invloved and the entire recruitment course has changed now, But I agree with the comment about airforce civis in a uniform, thats for sure..

Army guys are knowen to be the mongrels of all the services and to be honest I agree with this comment.

[Livvy]

Our packs and webbing wit full amo radio gear split , and water. weighed in at around 45-55 kg in total including rifle. depends what role you had in the platoon , c9 carriers had more wieght as the carried extra rounds.
Well there you go.

See for me, I couldn't do that. Not without a ton of training, anyway, and I know few girls who could really, in my age range anyway - I'd estimate that the average weight for all my friends would be 60kgs, and let's face it, carrying what would be maybe be 70% of your bodyweight (depending on the person) is a little far fetched without that pre-mentioned ton of training.

But, that would get you fit.

[NOMIS]

Well there you go.

See for me, I couldn't do that. Not without a ton of training, anyway, and I know few girls who could really, in my age range anyway - I'd estimate that the average weight for all my friends would be 60kgs, and let's face it, carrying what would be maybe be 70% of your bodyweight (depending on the person) is a little far fetched without that pre-mentioned ton of training.

But, that would get you fit.

There was a little girl in my platoon named georgia she must of been max about 5"3 her pack hung so low on her and she never complained once, tiny little maori girl. maximum of 54kg. Also had another dainty little girl as well and she was strong, and to be honest more males where complaining than any of the females. The females wernt so good physically and where pretty much useless in the field but the majority got through no problems and there where males that where softer than them.
Me im only 70kg, was about 65 when I was in the army, strong as hell compared to what I am now tho.

Had to edit that was 55kg not 44 my bad

[Livvy]

Christ. Well, there may be hope for us dainties yet. And after all, it does depend on what you do, doesn't it? Some people barely have to carry anything (in military terms anyway), and there's always boot camp to get you started.

[Rashika]

We had 30 in total in our basic training group, 9 were women, most of us were not tiny in any way shape or form and could pretty much stick it with the guys. We often did better than the guys when it came to stamina and thinking about how to get things done, like getting a team to work together. We were all medics so had to learn some pretty interesting skills, from medical stuff thru to carrying a patient under and over ferkin difficult terrain. Often it was 3 girls and one bloke carrying the tallest and heaviest bloke the sargeant could find!

I remember one of the girls was better than the sargeant at building and taking apart a rifle, shit that was a laugh to watch. And he had done 7 tours at Vietnam, pretty damn experienced and knowlegable. We had a pretty good group and most of us were together from then on till I left.

Any of the armed forces are worth looking into if you are interested, they each have their own pluses and minuses.

[Robert Taylor]

Try the RNZAF, I was there in the 70s when we still had an Air Strike Force. Hopefully the incoming National Government will have an agenda to reinstate it.
My father was in RNZAF and on attachment to the RAF during WW2 and I would gladly have traded places with him.
Any of the forces are an awesome place to learn a trade. Sure the discipline is harsh and collective but it sure knocks most people into shape. Its a pity we dont have compulsory military training for all school leavers.

[Maki]

Don't join the army unless you go in with eyes wide open. It has the potential to screw up your life very badly. If you doubt it, do Viet Nam and agent orange strike any bells?

How does the army treat it's own who have been injured in the line of duty. Some to the extent of having their DNA messed up so their kids pay the price. How were they treated?

Do what you want to do, but know what the hell you are doing...

[Jerry74]

Did 12 years in the Army.. left totally disillusioned with how many idiots run the place.

[avgas]

Thought some of you would find this interesting.
Its a NASA study for a product im currently working on. US army and Navy currently use these devices too. Good stuff you can park your car on (http://www.garrettcom.com/nasa_pix.htm)

[<Rhino>]

I spent five years in the army, was a medic three years in Burnham and two years with 1st Batalion in Linton. Loved being a medic with the grunts better than any day spent in camp doing crap tasks. My wife was a medic too with 2 Field Hospital, we both got trips out of it. My best mates have been to Timor, Afgan, Sollies, and many other places several times over in some cases. I regret getting out when I did somtimes and really miss the comradorie you have in the forces, theres always somone whos got your back.

Having come from an army background has impressed some employers along the way since getting out and the experiences you have and the training you get sets you up for life in my opinion. I would HIGHLY reccomend it. You get out of it what you put into it like anything you do in life.

Not having a personal life is BS, if you are in camp you work normal day hours in most cases whet you do out of hours is your own choice. Obviousely on basic training your ass belongs to the instructors but thats only temporary, go for it, go hard and love it.....if you dont you can always 717.