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Army

Armourer

As an Armourer, you will learn how to safely dismantle, diagnose and repair all of the weapons used by the New Zealand Army. From an assault rifle to the cannon on our Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV).

Mō te tūranga

About the role

  • Specialisations

    Engineering & Technical trades

  • Entry type

    General entry

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Location

    Linton, Burnham

Armourers are highly skilled in the maintenance and repair of the wide variety of weapon systems used by the New Zealand Army. You will start off with small arms like pistols and rifles, but in time you'll progress to medium and long-range machine guns, mortars, the weaponry on armoured fighting vehicles and artillery. You will also be involved in regular outdoor training exercises, using a tented workshop for a base.

Not only an Armourer, you’re also a tradesman. You’ll have the opportunity to undertake engineering courses and implement your skills across the different trades.

In any given month, you might be in the workshop, on a field exercise, completing a career development course or out at the range shooting.

Requirements

Basics

  • Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
  • Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.

Education

  • 3 years secondary school.

Note, qualifications may be used to assess trade suitability.

Citizenship

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required CV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.

Period of Service

Once you have completed training you will be required to give a 24 month return of service to the NZ Army.

We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.

“As an Armourer, anything you fix, you get to fire. Ranging from the 0.5 calibre semi-automatic rifle all the way to your pistol.”

Tui, Armourer

  • Job on base

    While working on camp, you’ll primarily be based within one of the Army’s workshops providing maintenance support. You’ll find plenty of variety in your day-to-day work, as no two faults are the same: your responsibility is to repair and maintain unit weapons. From time to time, you’ll work alongside other units. This includes providing support in multiple environments such as forward repair group FRG, where you work from a mobile workshop deployed into the field.

     

    Variety is also provided in your daily routine in camp by the inclusion of sport, PT, parades, and other soldier skills and training activities.

  • Job on deployment

    Armourers are deployed on a variety of overseas exercises and missions primarily in support of other units. Recent deployments include Afghanistan, Iraq and Timor-Lesté.

     

    While on deployment, you may find your services in high demand: diagnosing and rectifying any faults, quickly putting your skills to the test and getting weapons functioning accurately. You’ll continue to provide weapon maintenance and minor engineering support for the mission.

Career progression and training

01Basic Training

02Job Training

03Ongoing Training

04Career Progression

Benefits & allowances

Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.

In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:

  • Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
  • Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
  • Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
  • Opportunities to travel
  • Free and subsidised medical and dental care
  • Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
  • Free and subsidised insurance cover
  • Help to buy a home and save for retirement

Salary & benefits

Careers in the Army are well-rewarded, diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, your salary will rise accordingly.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

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Am I fit enough?

If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.

Medical & Fitness
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The application process

Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.

Application process
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Ready to start your Army career?

APPLY NOW

Tūranga whaipānga

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