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About the role Career progression and training Salary and benefits Entry requirements
As Infantry, you are a front line soldier, and the backbone of Army service.
Service Army
Specialisation Combat
Location Palmerston North and Christchurch
Starting Trade Training $64,177
About the role
For future intakes, you will join the Army as a Combat Specialist and operate in a range of different environments. You will be introduced to the strategy and skills for combat, before branching into Infantry, Gunner or an Armoured soldier towards the end of basic training.
You will be expected to be physically fit and will have to maintain a high level of both physical and mental stamina throughout your career.
You will be trained and expected to operate in a range of different environments around the world and will receive advanced training in combat skills.
You will become proficient in navigation, weapon handling, field-craft, survival and marksmanship throughout your career.
You will be expected to carry out your duties regardless of weather, season or terrain.
Job on base
As Infantry, you will spend a vast majority of your time transitioning between a camp and field environment. While in camp you will continue to enhance your infantry core skills such as fieldcraft, weapon training, navigation, communications, marksmanship and physical fitness.
When you move into the field environment you will put all your skills into practice during realistic training scenarios in a variety of different environments.
Job on deployment
Your main focus will be providing security by conducting patrols within your area of operations. As you move through the ranks, this focus can shift towards a training, advisory and or an observatory role.
The Infantry have a vast and proud history of serving overseas and currently they deploy on a variety of overseas operations.
Career progression and training
As Infantry you will spend your initial years developing your infantry skills within a Rifle Company. You may then have the opportunity of working within a Specialist Infantry Platoon where you will develop some advanced infantry skills such as reconnaissance, sniping, crewing heavy weapons, or advanced communications.
Over time you may promote in rank and hold different command positions within an Infantry Battalion. As your career progresses, you will work towards being an Infantry Instructor.
Upon successful enlistment into the Army you will be posted to Waiouru Military Camp. Here you will conduct 16 weeks of basic military training to find out if you have what it takes to be in the New Zealand Army.
Here you will learn various skills and subjects including :
Army Customs and Protocol
Physical Fitness
Drill and Parades
Military Field Skills and Weapon Training
First Aid
Organisation and Administration
Towards the end of this course, you will branch into the Infantry, Gunner or Armoured trade, depending on the best match for your skills, personal preference and spaces available.
COMBAT CORPS TRAINING
This course is more physically and mentally challenging than the recruit course. The aim is to prepare you to operate as an effective member of a rifle section.
You will be trained in the use of specialist weapons that are capable of engaging a wide range of selective targets. You will hone your fieldcraft and physical fitness and will learn to apply first aid to a combat casualty.
As Infantry, you will be posted to one of the Infantry Rifle Battalions which will either be the 1st Battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (1 RNZIR) based in Linton Military Camp, Palmerston North or the 2nd 1st Battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (2 / 1 RNZIR) based in Burnham Military camp, Christchurch.
Salary and 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.
$50,597 Under Initial Training
$64,177 Starting Trade Training
$120,171 Future Potential Earnings
Figures updated on July 1st 2023
Benefits and 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 turangawaewae
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
Entry requirements
Basics
You must be at least 17 years of age.
Meet the citizenship and security requirements to gain CV security clearance for this trade.
3 years secondary school.
You must be medically fit for service.
You must be physically fit for service.
Colour perception restrictions may apply.
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required CV security clearance for this trade.
Ready to start your Army career?
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