Ex-military guys, come hither!

**Macktheknife** · 27th May 2007, 12:02

My pick if you want to be a medic, join Army or Navy as the resources are more plentiful, the postings are better (usually) and the ongoing training is great.
Basic sucks but that is kinda the point, see who can suck it up and get the job done, the point is to be able to put aside your ego and work within the structure.
Good luck

**R6_kid:Me** · 27th May 2007, 14:12

my mate matt is 21 and he is a medic in the air force. to make a long story short, he's loving it. As are my other 20 or so friends in the air force. Recruit course isn't as hard as it is made out to be. If you are fit when go in there it's a doddle, but for retards that think they go from zero to hero in 12 weeks they get a serious wake up call.

I have applied for a/c Tech but put my enlistment/recruit course on hold until i am 100% sure it's what i want to do.

**The Pastor** · 27th May 2007, 14:19

join the air force and get a GPZ600. Top Gun baby.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 27th May 2007, 14:33

Being ex navy I would agree specialise and get a trade from it that gives you something back in civi street.

Once you make it through basic training its a breeze... you then move to your branch aor specialist traing phase. The navy will probably allow more travel, army better chance of getting active duty, air force well we really don't have one just a air taxi service..

**gunnyrob** · 27th May 2007, 16:29

I am currently serving in the air force & have 24 years service up my sleeve. I am currently posted to the Frigate, Te Kaha, (looking after the helo) so I reckon I have a pretty good handle on military careers.

If I had the opportunity to join as a young fella (especially as a medic, I'd pick the NAVY, Hands Down!

Conditions of service are broadly similar, but Navy offers Heaps of travel (obviously), extra allowances at sea (sea going), recognised quals (everything is geared up for NZQA), easier fitness testing, and stacks of practical training as the ship is constantly doing damage control drills.

Also in the navy you can remuster to Pilot, Observer, or helo crewman to fly the NAVY Helo.

Last year we went to Tokyo, Korea, Hong kong, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia & Aussie. In August we do 3 ports in Japan, Shanghai, China, Malaysia & Aussie. Back in time for christmas.

All services are screaming for warm bodies right now, so go for it. (I wouldn't be doing the job if I didn't like it.

NOTE: Be aware all recruit courses suck. They are designed to convert civvies into military personnel, so there is a fair amount of getting dicked around. (Only for 12 weeks or so) In addition, until you get some time up, you will be lumbered with all the shit jobs like cleaning etc.

If you have better school marks, try going in as an officer, as they assign the shit jobs to junior troops!!!

**awesker** · 27th May 2007, 19:05

I just joined the RNZAF at the start of the year as a CISOPR (Comms) and finished my basic training about a month or so ago, basically things have changed since back in our parents' day.. recruit course isnt about worming out the weaklings like it once was (well it is to an extent), now its more to see if youve the right personnel qualities (although there should have been some people on my course that should have gone.) to be part of the air force , so if you can do what your told and can handle cleaning and ironing for the next 13 weeks, youll be fine. (To be honest I had a blast on it, everyday I did something Id never done before, like getting CS gassed, firing automatic weapons and getting payed to play sport in the sun! doesnt get much better than that!)

Its the trade training after the recruit training that lets you know if youve got what it takes to become your trade. The CO's at your trade training are alot tougher than recruit course, and if you make fuck ups and fall behind (theyll help you if your making an effort) youll have to either remuster to a different trade or leave.

Since Ive joined up Ive loved every day and I know Ive made the right choice.. I guess its different for everyone.. the cheap drinks, awesome people, career options, free education and pride in yourself are the biggest things I can think of that keeps me here. Medic is a good choice I reckon.. though talk to your recruiters and theyll be able to tell you alot of info.. I think youve missed out of this years intake for medics though, there are 3 intakes a year and the one for medics has just started last week.. but talk to the recruiters and theyll sort you out.. I reckon go for it mate!

**Babelfish** · 27th May 2007, 19:25

Get some serious bling from this site and join the police force.

**dogsnbikes** · 27th May 2007, 19:37

As a Navy trained Chef its a great place to get a trade,life skills,travel and money not forgetting friendships
the basic training was a breeze and alot of fun......My time was 8.5 years and I spent half of that time away over seas......and enjoyed every minute of it and have no regretes what so ever

**doc** · 27th May 2007, 19:50

Originally Posted by TempBJ

Get some serious bling from this site and join the police force.

Just remember guy's it's not what you can get out of it, it's about service. That becomes important when the payback time comes. You join the defence force you don't join to get a trade. Then one day the shit hits the fan, the excuse "I'm a technician" is not cool when the going gets tough. This in the worst case senario of course, but thats what your there for. The Basic training is not about a trade it's about "Defence" and the public want accountablity. That is what they want, others to do it instead of them...I hope you get the point ? not trying to destroy the thread but its the truth. Got to pay the piper sometimes.

**MementoMori** · 27th May 2007, 23:52

Impressed with all the info and encouragement, certainly hearing the points you have to make has only strengthened the desire to go and sign up.

I like the idea of doing my time in a trade, and then moving onto another career within the force. Had not thought about the Army or Navy but after hearing the suggestions made, I'll definitely be taking this into consideration.

Awesker, you mentioned personnel qualities, what are these exactly? Are they like leadership and teamwork skills etc?

I kinda like the idea of the recruitment training, I like the personal challenge and probable confidence you receive at the end of it.

I really appreciate all your answers, so thank you very much!

But yeah, if you do think of anything else to add, please do. Everything helps.

Cheers.

**iwilde** · 28th May 2007, 00:41

I worked for the navy some yrs ago and saw how the navy turned some young mens lives around. The change in confidance, social skills, being a team player and being an important part of that team i feel was far more valuable than the actual practical side of it. As the Doc said, your main reason to join is to serve NZ first. If you can't handle the thought of the possibality of going to war and maybe having to end anothers life with your bare hands, think twice.

**KoroJ** · 28th May 2007, 09:11

Originally Posted by Colapop

Join the Army it's better

Originally Posted by jimbo600

pisht whatever. Army stands for "Air Force Rejected Me Yesterday".

Aye, They don't say, "Men of the Army & Navy, Gentlemen of the AirForce..." for nothing.

I joined the RNZAF in 1973 and did 20 years, drank lots of piss, played lots of sport, had an awesome time, met awsome people, drank lots of piss, played lots of sport, got paid to go overseas, drank lots of piss.....pity they sold most of the aircraft.......I wonder what they do now??

Hard to look ahead, but if you know where you want to end up, you could use the service that will best help you get there.

**Swoop** · 28th May 2007, 15:25

Originally Posted by KoroJ

...drank lots of piss, played lots of sport, had an awesome time, met awsome people, drank lots of piss, played lots of sport, got paid to go overseas, drank lots of piss.....pity they sold most of the aircraft.......

I wonder what they do now??

I guess... drink a lot of piss?

A very good option for anyone wanting to extend themselves, in whatever branch of the service. A lot of younger kids would benefit HEAPS with doing a stint.

**Sidewinder** · 28th May 2007, 15:29

Originally Posted by MementoMori

My life's going nowhere at the minute, so I'm reconsidering an old desire to join the Air Force. My dreams of becoming a sodding Eurofighter pilot have finally been squashed, so I have been thinking about applying to become a Medic.

I will be taking a trip down to the local recruitment office to hear their sales pitch, but I am also interesting in hearing first hand experiences from the people who are in it, or have been.

Not necessarily as a medic, or even in the AF, I'd just like an idea of what military life has to offer... whether it was worth it, whether you regretted it, or it was the best thing you ever did, etc.

I'm especially interested in the initial 12 week recruit training and what this involves, as I've heard nothing but stories about how this is the hardest, toughest part where they try and break you down and build you back up again how they want you to be.

I had a short spell in the Air Cadets and whilst I did well, I did find it just a little bit naff. I intend on gaining some medical experience by joining St. John for a while and learning as much as I can there, if I am to go ahead with this idea. I wouldn't join for a year or so yet, as it's such a big decision and I want to be sure I still feel the same way about it in time. Though considering I've been thinking about it for a fair few years now, I think this may be likely.

I also need an understanding and open-minded person with knowledge of the military, or connections with someone who does to give me a PM as I have something to ask, and due to the nature of it, a public forum is not a wise place to talk about it.

Wow, I've written a lot. Sorry to have rambled on. In short, I'd like to hear your experiences and whether you would recommend that lifestyle.

Thanks a lot!

the army is gay, get a better bike, its better than time with those queer fags-im ex army.