Ex-military guys, come hither!

[KoroJ]

This may be a stupid question, but how do you know if it's your kind of lifestyle before you go and join up? I mean what exactly is the lifestyle past basic training? Can't word it right, hope someone understands what I'm trying to get at. I spose I mean in relation to civilian life.

Not much different. If you're a pisshead as a civvy, you can be a pisshead in the service....and vice versa.

Same goes for sport, recreation, work...you name it.
...You'll get out what you put in...
...Life's what you make it...
...Life's like a box of chocolates...
...It's how you play the hand you're dealt...etc etc.

(Depending on trade and service), you could get moved around more, you might always be in uniform...or not, you might belong to Service or Local Sports Clubs, your friends will be Servicemen and civilians.

You will get well trained in whatever trade you opt for, you will be expected to maintain a certain level of fitness (but I was serving with some fatties), you will have to attend the odd parade and be well presented.

What more do you want to know??

[YLWDUC]

Without getting serious about it, the Air Force has generally the fewest deployments away, but medics usually end up going everywhere. You can always remuster to aircrew or officer from any of the three services.

Kiwisaver is crap compared to the mil super scheme (about 12% employer contribution, currently earning 12-15% interest) plus the medical and dental is free and you get a 5000 p.a. mortgage subsidy. And then there's the stars....

The army sleep under them.
The navy navigate by them.
The Air Force use them to pick a hotel........

[NUTBAR]

join the army. best thing i did.
as long as you can handle the hard yards.

[awesker]

Without getting serious about it, the Air Force has generally the fewest deployments away

Thats not what Ive been told, and seen.. looking at all the decorations from my instructors and other serviceman around me makes me disagree with that.. though it also comes down to trades, thankfully my trade gets put all over the place.. so heres hoping I get to go somewhere soon!

[MementoMori]

Thanks for the help. Whilst the quotes that were mentioned may have been clichéd to hell, they're still so relevant and helped me put my decision into perspective.

Certainly the one that hit me hardest that was sent to me in a PM was 'you've got nothing to lose' which just hit the nail on the head, and right now I have everything to gain. I'm sick of being a bum!!!

I have another question. What's the deal with relationships? If you're in a relationship before you join up, can you keep them going easily or would it be wise to end it? I'm familiar with housing for people with spouses and dependents but I'm not quite ready to go that far just yet.

Oh and piercings. I only have two, my tongue and my nipple but I'm guessing these are going to have to go too. Is that right?

[Storm]

Oh yes, they will be going. Do you really want to rip your nipple piercing out on an obstacle course? I wouldnt. And tongue piercings make you sound wierd

[Sniper]

Yup, peircings are a no-no unless they are in your ears

[MementoMori]

Yeah OK, that's fair enough.

Cheers everyone.

[quickbuck]

Righto MM,
My turn.

Been in RNZAF for 17, so know a thing or two.

I will answer things that i remember reading, and try to dispel some myths.

To start with your last questions:
You nipple piercing is fine. Tongue piercing is okay, so long as "you can't normally see it". ie, in the back half (approx) of the tongue.

Relationships:
Fine to have before you join, and while you are in Woodbourne for your 11 week course. It is up to you if it lasts. Most do. It is good to have a shoulder back home to cry on.

Government Super: That finished 16 years ago, and there have been a few since.
The scheme the troops are on now sounds okay by all accounts.
It is a good savings scheme really.

The pay isn't that bad.
Medic used to be, then one day a Medic mate of mine got a $12000 pay rise!

Now they are paid about the same as the Technicians (highest paid ground trade).

Lifestyle, well my partner says I am sheltered from the real world in some respects.
However that is me, I guess.

Motorcycling in the RNZAF:
Nothing better!
If you race, you get paid to do it!
If you ride, there is a huge group of people you can ride with. Rides are easy to organise due to great communication systems (called computers).

Rider Training:
I know the Police instructor, and we are getting troops to go through their course too! They come to base every month or so.

Deployments/ Courses etc:
The air force training budget is there to train personnel.

As for the people who think the Force has been taken out of the Air:
Well, in fact the opposite is true!
Air Power (in the RNZAF) is as strong as it has ever been.

We are also going through some exciting times with 3 upgraded platforms and 2 new Helicopter types about to be introduced.

The spend up hasn't been this big since the late 60's.

So, to end:
JUST DO IT!

If it isn't for you, you can leave with a little notice, but then I have enjoyed my 17yrs, and the next 3 are going to be more fun!

[kerfufflez]

Righto MM,
My turn.

Been in RNZAF for 17, so know a thing or two.

Motorcycling in the RNZAF:
Nothing better!
If you race, you get paid to do it!

I'm just curious, why does someone in the Air Force get paid to race motorbikes? I don't really see a connection.

[cheese]

How old are you?

I was in teh NAvy for nearly 7 years and it was great. The worst part of the Navy is the travel. Especialy if you have kids or a serious partner.

Airforce is a good idea. Much less travel adn more settled.

Army, who wants to run through the mud and snow and live in the anus of NZ (waiouru). When I went to east timor I was on a boat with AC and we built a spa pool. It was bloody brilliant. Had a full gym adn had nothing better to do than lift weights and play play station.

Plus the hours!!! 8-4!!

anyway good for a trade. If you want some skills do it. I was an electronics tech and I got all my quals for free.

[Baldyheed]

Spent over 20 years in the British Army as a Medic. Loved it, made brilliant mates, has close relationships with young ladies all around the world.
Every Wednesday was sports afternoon.
As a Kiwi, you could even apply to join the British Armed Forces, would just not see your family as much.

[Sniper]

Righto MM,
My turn.

Been in RNZAF for 17, so know a thing or two.

I will answer things that i remember reading, and try to dispel some myths.

To start with your last questions:
You nipple piercing is fine. Tongue piercing is okay, so long as "you can't normally see it". ie, in the back half (approx) of the tongue.

Whats your trade? We were toled that we would be hung and quartered if we were found to have any peircings other than earings (girls only)

Mind you, that was the army and we did more physical stuff than you lot

(baits in the water)

[terbang]

Though I have an aviation background, I had some of my most formative years in the Army (RNZEME) where I finished my trade. A great start if you can hack the basic training.

[MementoMori]

Quickbuck, that was a top answer, thank you.

Baldyheed, I'm a pom with Kiwi citizenship (and as such, I sound weird with or without a tongue piercing... /looks at Storm) and most of my family is over there. I had thought about it, but I can't get back unless they'd pay for my flight! and I prefer it here though it is still an option for the future.

On the AF's site, there was a medic's experiences and at the bottom was a note that they were considering introducing ambulance qualifications so that medics would have that civilian qualification. That was however written in 2005 and I have no idea if they went through with it or not.

Thanks everyone for your answers. I have a few loose ends to tie up before I go for it and I am now confident that I will. If anything, it will be something to chalk up as a life experience and look back on when I am wrinkly. I am looking forward to it. (joining up, not being wrinkly.)

Thanks again for helping me to arrive at such an important decision, it is greatly appreciated.