Mō te tūranga

About the role

Specialisations

Army Reserve | Combat & Special Operations
Entry type

Army Reserve
Location

Hamilton

The Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps (RNZAC) provide the New Zealand Army with vital combat skills and trade craft, through the delivery of a command ready light armoured and task organised group, namely through the deployment of the NZ Light Armoured Vehicle.

As Armoured (Trooper) in the Army Reserve you will be trained across a variety of different combat skills in the application of force across multiple vehicle mobility functions. You will learn how to drive and operate both military and civilian vehicles tactically by day and night, provide Mobile Facility Protection, provide Mobile Convoy Protection and assist local authorities during real time emergencies and natural disasters both nationally and internationally.

You will continue to develop your skills during regular training and by conducting tactical field exercises. Once you have become proficient in your trade you could be given the opportunity to deploy on operation or support humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) within NZ or overseas.

Reserve Armoured (Trooper) will also be provided with the opportunity to integrate with Regular Force elements of the RNZAC on exercise both at home (domestic) and overseas where appropriate.

Lawyers, architects, electricians, project managers, police and data analysts number amongst our team and we welcome anyone with an interest in conducting protected mobility tasks within the combat battlespace.

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.}

Fitness & Medical

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.

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.

Career progression and training

01Training Overview

Training Overview

Initial training consists of three stages which equates to approximately 7 weeks of training. Module 1 (Introduction to the New Zealand Army and Reserve Force service) is conducted throughout the calendar year, with Module 2 (Basic Training) & Corps Training (Initial Trade Specific Coursing) taking place in November, December and January of a given year.

Module 1 (Introduction to the New Zealand Army and Reserve Force service) is conducted across New Zealand at specified times throughout the calendar year. This course is run in Auckland (Whangaparāoa Leadership Centre or RNZAF Base Auckland, Whenuapai), Wellington (Trentham Military Camp) or Christchurch (Burnham Military Camp). Your Candidate Engagement Facilitator will outline the intended MOD 1 location as part of your initial application to join the ResF.

Module 2 (Basic Training) is conducted at Waiouru Military Camp. This is a 38 day residential course, taking place across November, December and January of a given year (duration accounts for leave period over the Christmas and New Year period).

Corps Training (Initial Trade Specific Training) is yet to be implemented. Personnel who complete Module 1 and Module 2 will be posted to their unit, and will be informed of the corps training model in due course. This course is likely to run in 2023.

02MOD 1

MOD 1

MODULE 1 - Introduction to the New Zealand Army and Reserve Force Service

The purpose of this stage of training is to familiarise recruits with the Army, and Reserve Force service prior to their attendance at the Recruit Territorial Force All Corps Basic (Module 2 - Basic Training).

This is a two day introduction to life in the Army. Over this period, you will be attested into the New Zealand Army, learn the basics of drill and command, Military Law, the Ethos and Values of the NZ Army and the particulars of Reserve Force service. You will also be taught how to live and operate within the military environment and learn about the standards that are required of you as a soldier.

03MOD 2

MOD 2

MODULE 2 - Basic Training

The aim of this course is to develop the individual skill set required of a soldier operating at a basic level of capability. This stage of training is a 38 day residential course conducted upon your arrival at Waiouru Military Camp.

During this stage of your training you will be introduced to:

Drill
First Aid
Operate and communicate utilising in-service communication systems
Introduction to the Individual Weapon, Modularised Assault Rifle System – Light (IW MARS-L) and light support weapon (LSW-C9)
Live firing on the range in order to qualify on the IW MARS-L Annual Weapons Qualification
Introduction to and qualification on the high explosive grenade
Living in a field environment, including:
- patrolling procedures,
- operating in a rifle section, and
- fieldcraft and battlecraft
Introduction to Physical Training, including the Army Fitness Test, swim test and timed pack walk, and
A broadened understanding of military law, including “The Laws of Armed Conflict”

This stage of initial training concludes with a recruit's graduation from the NZ Army training establishment - The Army Depot. Recruits will graduate as a fully qualified soldier (rank of Private/Sapper/Gunner/Trooper/Signaller) in the NZ Army’s Reserve Force, ready to progress on to initial trade specific coursing.

04Corps Training

Corps Training

Corps Training - Initial Trade Specific Coursing

The course dates and structure of this stage of training have yet to be confirmed. Personnel who graduate from Basic Training will be posted to their unit, and duly advised. This course is likely to run in 2023.

Initial trade specific coursing differs across the various Army corps. The purpose of initial trade specific coursing is to provide personnel with the necessary basic trade specific skills required of their respective corps.

All personnel will continue to build on the foundational knowledge obtained through Basic Training, with trade specific and ongoing training continuing to refine outputs focused on operations within the combat battlespace. All personnel will train annually to maintain the tenets of the soldiering profession (Move, Shoot, Communicate and Medicate).

As Reserve Armoured (Trooper) you are required to complete the fundamental training courses across the following proponents:

Communications Equipment Training
Radio Operator Training
Driver Training - 4X4 Course, Pizgauer (LOV) Course
Gunnery Camp (introduction to and application of the MAG 58 Machine Gun)
Tactical Vehicle Driving at night and day
Culminating Tactical Field Exercise

After a few years within the troop, and once you have become proficient in the various roles of an Armoured Combat Specialist along with some leadership experience, you may be selected to complete a LOV Crew Commanders Course. This will see you in command of the vehicle and the personnel within the vehicle.

Te Utu & Ngā Painga

Benefits & allowances

As a Reservist you are paid on an hourly rate rather than a salary. Pay rates depend on the role you are in and your rank; your pay will increase as you move through the ranks.

Salary

As an Army Reserve soldier, the minimum remuneration you will be paid is a daily rate, including holiday pay. The NZDF also pays 4% Kiwisaver on top of your personal contribution. Your remuneration will increase on promotion and seniority.