FAQs

Depending on which scholarship scheme you are studying under, you may be required to wear uniform when attending lectures, tutorials and other formal occasions like graduation.

At any point in your career, if you are attending workshops, courses or lectures in a professional capacity then you will most likely be expected to wear uniform, but this will be up to command or personal discretion.

Initial trade selection is important because both you and the NZDF invest a significant amount of time and resources on your training and career progression, so it pays to thoroughly research the trade you are entering and make a well informed decision.

In some circumstances it is possible to change trade or service once you are in the NZDF. However, trade and service changes can be a lengthy process and are dependent on a number of factors like personnel requirements for the trades you wish to leave and join, and is by no means guaranteed. Therefore, if you assume you will be able to change trades or service at a later stage, we advise against accepting an Offer of Service for a trade or service you do not consider yourself suited to.

We are keen to see people who have improved their skills and want to take on new challenges. We move a number of internally-recruited personnel into new trades each year, but in the interest of fairness, they must meet the same minimum entry requirements as new applicants, and other factors like demand for the trade you wish to change to are taken into consideration.

Regardless of your trade and service, you will gain valuable skills and experience that are desired by civilian employers. For some technical trades, you will gain qualifications that are widely recognised in New Zealand and around the world.

Successful Army and Naval Reserve applicants sign both an Offer of Service and an attestation form (legal document that means you agree to abide by the Armed Forces Disciplinary Act).

If you are a currently serving member, either Regular or Reserve Forces, you need to apply via your unit chain of command.

The opportunity for transfer exists, however this process is not managed by Defence Careers. If you wish to transfer from the Reserve Force to the Regular Force, you must submit an application through your chain of command.

In times of war or emergency, you may be called upon to deploy.

There is no upper age limits to continuing your service in the NZDF. Continued service is determined by vacancies, your performance, and your health and fitness.

Yes, the Volunteers Employment Protection Act 1973 allows Reserve Forces personnel to perform their military duties without risking their normal employment and entitlements.

No. It is at your discretion to tell a new employer if you are a member of the Army Reserve or Naval Reserve. However, we encourage you to be open with your employer or a potential employer. The Volunteers Employment Protection Act 1973 makes it an offence for an employer to discriminate against, disadvantage, or dismiss an employee or prospective employee for rendering service in the Reserve Force. No one from the NZDF will contact your employer without your prior consent.

The NZDF offers very affordable barrack accommodation for NZDF members on most bases and camps. Regular Force members become eligible for a housing allowance after 3 years of service. Regular Force members also become eligible for service housing after three years of service or under exceptional circumstances.

What is service housing like?

The majority of NZDF service houses were built in the 1950’s and are of wood construction. They have been maintained but are not as good as most modern homes of this century.

No. Military Leave provisions under the Volunteers Employment Protection Act 1973 does not require employers to pay employees on Military Leave. If you use your annual leave for military training and exercises, then your employer will have to pay you.

Yes, being granted Military Leave provisions under the Volunteers Employment Protection Act 1973 means that your normal employment is viewed as uninterrupted and you are entitled to accrue your normal leave entitlement.

Please go to our Apply Now page. You need to register to create an account and you can then start your application. Click ‘yes’ to NZ military experience and we’ll ask you for a couple of easy details, such as your service number, and your application will then be ready to submit.

No. We have a specialist team who handle all re-enlistment applications. The team is made up of Army, Navy and Air Force recruiting personnel, as well as our civilian Candidate Engagement Facilitators. We work closely with Career Managers to process your application.

Yes, call 0800 1 FORCE (0800 136 723) and ask to speak to a uniformed re-enlistment recruiter.

Yes. When in the field, on operations, or at sea for more than a 24 hour period, an additional allowance is paid.

Most of the time people re-enlist with the same rank and seniority, however this is assessed on a case by case basis, and includes factors such as how long you have been out for and what you have done since you left.

This is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you were fairly junior in your career when you left the NZDF, it may be decided that you need to start again alongside new recruits to re-familiarise yourself with a military environment.