Army?

[Indiana_Jones]

Is anyone here in the army, or have been?
Just wondering if you tell me what it's like, the training etc?
Looking at joining

Thanks

-Indy

[SpankMe]

Spent two years in the infantry. Bloody good experience, but I wouldn't want to do it for a living. They don't pay enough and the Army doesn't have the dosh for the real good toys like Oz or the UK.

Join the Territorials first to get a feel for what it's like before joining up full time.

[pete376403]

I was in the Territorials way back in 70 something. The first volunteer intake after labour scrapped CMT. Becuase it was volunteer my employer had to keep me on. I was in Burnham in mid winter- feckin cold. Playing with guns is fun. Standard weapon in those days was a 7.62 SLR. Quite heavy on a route march. Neato down at the butts, tho. We had sadistic corporals who had done time in Vietnam. It really paid NOT to upset those guys. The food was pretty stodgy, but there was lots of it. Dunno if you'd be allowed to do this now, but several guys got helicoptered inot the bush one weekend to go hunting. Company supplied the guns, ammo and supplies, air force provided the chopper, the whole thing was treated as a training exercise. Innoculations (in case we went overseas) were administered with a big blunt needle, that hurt.
On the whole I think it was good, character building stuff. OTOH, at that time there were not any wars going on so there wasn't much chance of getting killed at work. Now it's not so certain.

[Indiana_Jones]

Thanks for the replys guys, keep them comming if you have anything else to say

-Indy

[jrandom]

They don't pay enough and the Army doesn't have the dosh for the real good toys like Oz or the UK.

You can say *that* again. I looked up the pay rates not too long ago. Absolutely shocking. These guys are putting their lives on the line and they get paid jack shit. Why would an intelligent young guy these days want to be an army officer when it'd take him 15 years of promotions to earn the same as he can make within two or three years in industry? And don't even get me started on what the grunts and noncoms get paid.

But then, what would you expect from a Labour government but tac radios that don't work, no light armoured units and pay rates that would embarrass McDonalds. If anyone ever *did* seriously invade NZ, our Army would put up a valiant fight and be slaughtered within the first 48 hours.

I'm not even going to *comment* on a certain bundle of gear in a certain acquaintance's garage at the moment that may or may not have been 'liberated' from an unattended Army camp up at the Kaipara bombing range. Suffice to say that their water canteens still have "1967" stamped on the side...

[Two Smoker]

i havnt been in the Army yet, but i have applied and wanting for a response (they are taking their fucking time ) I did 5 years of Cadet forces and that gave me a huge taste of military life.....

If you join the army as NCO then join as a Field Engineer, those guys generally go on from there to do a trade (plus you get to blow stuff up to put it in simple terms)

Best bet is to apply as an officer and if you dont like that go in as a NCO.

As everyone is saying the pay sucks, about 19000 (before tax) as a NCO and about 24000 (before tax) as an officer (starting rates).

Military life is 100% good, just ignore the first 13 weeks of basic training (although that will be where you make most of your mates) and once you have finished initial training it becomes very cruisey (the airforce being the most cruisey) Huge life experiences and skill will be gained and alot of fun will be had the only thing i can say that is bad about the military is the shit pay..... but meh its all about the fun

[Indiana_Jones]

Which area in the army are you looking at TS?

-Indy

[Posh Tourer :P]

You can say *that* again. I looked up the pay rates not too long ago. Absolutely shocking. These guys are putting their lives on the line and they get paid jack shit. Why would an intelligent young guy these days want to be an army officer when it'd take him 15 years of promotions to earn the same as he can make within two or three years in industry? And don't even get me started on what the grunts and noncoms get paid.

Remember that you get accomodation and food, so your pay is mostly disposable income......

[Two Smoker]

Well ive applied as an officer, and if i like that then Field Engineers, if i go in as a NCO then also a Field Engineer.....

Actually PT nowadays you have to pay for meals and accomadation aswell.... its like 40$ a week (from memory)?????

[Indiana_Jones]

what's the SAS pay like?
Man you have to be hard as shit to get into that

Army seems cool, all those exercises etc.

I phoned them today, and ask for an info pack, they said that all their stuff is online now, you even apply online as well. Nuts .

-Indy

[Two Smoker]

Actually the SAS pay aint that great either ( i know a few guys that were in it or are in it) it is better though. Ive got the requirements to pass selection if you want to know.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Well ive applied as an officer, and if i like that then Field Engineers, if i go in as a NCO then also a Field Engineer.....

Actually PT nowadays you have to pay for meals and accomadation aswell.... its like 40$ a week (from memory)?????

Well that is a bit shitty then innit....

[Indiana_Jones]

lol chuck us a copy of those requirements plz TS
Thanks

-Indy

[James Deuce]

Worked for the Army and Defence for a year. I was the Data Communications Engineer for the NZ Army. I ran seminars, installed the first multi domain NT4 server network in the world (Got to meet Steve Ballmer), went on field exercises and helped convince the Navy and Air Force to ditch Novell and go NT. Also installed FDDI at the camps started getting into people management big time. I was on a Lt Colonel's pay, and carried the brevet rank of Major. My boss was a WO1 (Warrant Officer 1st Class), which made for an interesting time in the field .

In short the pay was lousy, but I had a ball! It was a great training ground for all sorts of things, a big chunk of the crap pay is made up by huge discounts at the Canteen for White goods, and stereos and stuff, and of course cheap booze in the mess. The local businesses around the Army camps know which side their bread is buttered on too, and make sure that the lads and ladesses are looked after.

One warning though. ATG Waioru is a shit hole and you will be "de-civilianised" i.ie.treated like scum while you are there. You'll be sleep deprived, humiliated, challenged in more ways than just physical - but you'll make good mates, and have a damn good time, a damn boring time (most of the time - in the Army bored is good) and then when you've done your 20 years (assuming you stay in) you'll be looked after. One question - are you going to be a real man or an officer?

[Two Smoker]

Im tending towards real man even though i have applied as a rupert...