Anyone know about Army/NZDF training?

[FellowshipOfTheRon]

^ Thanks guys!

Congrats on getting through. I've ended up opting for intelligence operator, and am pretty happy with the choice right now. I still have the medical to go to, but all my immunization records / forms are sorted, so I'm not too worried. Have a bit of a head cold, so hopefully that clears up before I get tested.

Have had a few reads through the list of things we're meant to bring. Apparently every recruit is expected to have their own ironing board and iron. Didn't know that before, but it makes me glad I already have both of those.

I'm actually looking forward to the fitness test on the induction day. Hopefully I don't crack up when we start out on drill.

Good choice man and best wishes for your induction day.

just went out and sorted most of my checklist today, irons ironing boards and all that.. as for stuff that's not on the list take note of what you may find on this thread ; i forgot if i read it here or from someone else but it was also recommended to bring some cotton buds for cleaning out the guns real good i just picked up like 300 or something for $3 easy investment :pfft:

i think this is all the last intake of the year that's going through now so i assume you'll be on the same basic as me - AARC 370. come back and let us know how it goes and look forward to going through waiouru winter basic with you next month

[pyro]

Grats on getting in dude. I completed my basic many years ago starting in May through to July, push ups in the snow is great fun, hope you are looking forward to it

Last little piece of advice, when you turn up to the buss with all your gear, be looking as smart as possible wearing a nice long sleeve shirt, tie, dress pants, and shoes. First impressions last so when you arrive to whom I assume will be your SGT you will be wanting to look your best, rather than turning up scruffy looking like you just stepped of the streets. I'm sure your recruiter has already told you this, but just a small reminder

p.s. Scouring pads(green material type not the metal wool type) work great for cleaning your rifle as well with a little bit of oil. I think you get one with your rifle cleaning kit, but they wear out very quickly so you may want to think about buying a pack of them.

Will be looking forward to keeping up with how you are going.

[Andre01]

well done, love reading this thread...

[DIANABOL]

AARC 324 right hurr

More than likely you'll be sleeping in the snow on Kaimanawa Retreat which is all good, snow over rain any day. On Final Chance you dig in and if youre the gunner or gunner #2 you get the gun pit which is cosy as f*ck.

[shane]

You wear what the Army issues you when on Basic Training no gucci gears until you go to your unit. You need to have your bed made showered dressed and formed up on the road in about 5 minutes

[size8]

Hey fitness guys,

New year, new career path for me... still got the same old dream of being huge one day but now also need to keep fit.

There are a few fitness tests that I gotta pass through like timed run, push ups and situps.. pretty much it's all really easy except for the run.

Basic Requirement is to do 2.4ks in less than 12mins (currently I'm at 16mins on treadmill lol) but I want to challenge myself a bit more and get it down 8~9mins point - I'll be giving it a proper shot now (so no more treadmill).

My current program is a typical BB 4 day split with fairly high volume, I'm guessing I'll have to change things around massively or will end up burning out. Do I stop training legs for a bit? Or just switch over to lighter weights with explosive, high reps?

Any suggestions on a workout program I can do which will help me maintain or even keep building muscle mass while as well as improve on my 2.4km run?

I have about 3 months to prepare EDIT : just 6 weeks not 3 months :oops:

* The reason I put emphasis on maintaining mass/keeping on bulking during this period of training is that I'm only floating in the low 60s at 5'8" and can't afford to lose much as will slide down to 'underweight' on BMI

Any help appreciated, Cheers!

EDIT : In case you are applying to join NZDF, I've added a bit of information on this post here: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=17363&p=359244#p359244 and will continue updating with more info as I progress through the interview/open day/boot camp (AARC)

EDIT 2 Everything all good now, I'm off to basic next month. See this link for more info on Medical/Security Clearances/Induction Day/Final Fitness Testing (pre-AARC) : viewtopic.php?p=367608#p367608

Thanks for all the help guys, heaps looking forward to going on Basic 8)

Was in there for 8 years mate, All fitness tests are fairly acheviable, Thier set in place to be "The minimum standard" lol, What corp are you joining?? If your a grunt then its a bit tougher as after you do Basic youll then go on to do Infantry Corp trg, A big ask for alot of people. Basicly good enduro and upper body strenth witll see you right. The hardest I found was the swim test lol. Most people find that the eaisiest! I havent read all the other posts but if your moderatley active you shouldnt have too much trouble passing. Cdo or SAS selection is a different ball game best left for once you in there. Good luck. And thanks for signing the dotted line, that in its self can be too much for some. Cheers. 8.

[MrWheels]

Bro thanks for taking the time to make this thread. this thread has more info on the NZ Army then their website and others combined!

I'm waiting to be selected at the moment and if I do get selected the basic training is in August? you guys are saying yours are in July?

[FellowshipOfTheRon]

@Jukon, that is a good question, I am just guessing they will have us use that permanent marker from the shopping list to mark our stuff during the administration week but for now haven't labelled anything except for the iron board. Everything I got so far is pretty cheap anyway and bought that way knowing full well it'll probably get damaged or lost at some point during the course. Valuables like phones/cameras (which apparently we'll be too busy to get to use) and anything else you want stored real safe will be given to the staff there upon arrival and it'll be issued back to you on certain occasions - have been advised not to try hide phones lol.

According to that 'Information for relatives' document and from what I heard at the induction, morning routine is wakeup, toilet, shower, shave, setting bed, reporting for start of day with polished boots etc. The listed time is 0545 to 0620 which seems like a lot more than most of the guys here state from experience.. from what I've heard even though you get until 0620 you are expected to be 10~20 minutes early but who knows, maybe they've gotten softer or something? We'll see *lol*

I was pretty concerned about staying warm too as have never been anywhere close to the conditions of Waiouru before but little releieved after reading that some thermals are part of the uniform (or at least the new MCU kit which is rolling out as of March this year).. not sure if we're gonna get that or the DPM for recruit training though.

Image:

- all copyrights belong to NZDF

Source : http://www.army.mil.nz/downloads/pdf/army-news/armynews437.pdf

Congratulations on passing your test and stuff man, yeah chances are we will be on the same bus if you're leaving from Auckland. One is leaving from somewhere in Manukau and I'm on the other one which goes from Auck museum.

 

@Size8 Nice one bro, gonna be in Signals Corps based in Linton after basic

 

Bro thanks for taking the time to make this thread. this thread has more info on the NZ Army then their website and others combined!

I'm waiting to be selected at the moment and if I do get selected the basic training is in August? you guys are saying yours are in July?

Hey man, exactly why I done it, glad it's helping already and welcome to the forums!

Far as I know (and that's not all that much*crazy*) the last basic for the year is AARC 370 which is in July but that's for Army Regular force. If you are going territorials or Navy/Airforce then that may be why you have a different date. What trade/branch are you going in for?

[MrWheels]

I'm going for the Rifleman trade, my candidate coordinator told me intakes 4th August. Maybe hes made a mistake? thats a pretty close date to yours?

[shane]

You wont be aloud to wear your own warm gear no electronic gadgets no phonecalls for a few weeks smoke when told to etc unless it's changed. Once you sign the dotted line then your in for some fun times ah CB change parades

[jurgensp99]

Great thread with heaps of info that’s not available elsewhere. Im going for rifleman in the reserves, just because I’ve always wanted to join but never got around to it so here we go.
I have my A day on about 7 weeks so training is on.

I would like to ask for some help please.

Push ups and run I can do no problem but am struggling heaps with the curl ups. If anyone had some advice or a 5 day workout plan to help with this matter it would be greatly appreciated as I’m getting a bit worried that I won’t meet the EFL.

 

[FellowshipOfTheRon]

Great thread with heaps of info that’s not available elsewhere. Im going for rifleman in the reserves, just because I’ve always wanted to join but never got around to it so here we go.I have my A day on about 7 weeks so training is on.

I would like to ask for some help please.

Push ups and run I can do no problem but am struggling heaps with the curl ups. If anyone had some advice or a 5 day workout plan to help with this matter it would be greatly appreciated as I’m getting a bit worried that I won’t meet the EFL.

 

Hey man, welcome to the forum and congrats on your decision to finally go in.

For situps, on A day they can be a little difficult but when you get to do the Army ones on induction day, they're heaps easier (everyone got high scores on these as they're heaps easier). To practice for the hard ones, include that movement in your workouts. What really helped me was getting the form and breathing right as well as improving over all core endurance by including other things like normal and side planks, lying leg raises, hanging knee raises all in circuit fashion with the situps. Make sure you are looking upwards when doing situps and leading with core rather than neck/shoulders. It may take some time to get used to just isolating the core but when you get it, you get it Also it's tempting to 'fall' down (as is suggested on a lot of american sites about training for their situps) but don't do it. Train hard beause on test day you will be expected to have a slow and controlled negative part of movement otherwise the instructor will not count your reps.

Example ab routine (do 3x a week);

• no rest between the following
• half max crunches (if your max is 20, do 10)
• planks 30 secs to 1 min, work your way higher
• leg raises
• some crunches with a ball or something
• side planks 30 sec to 1 min each side, work your way higher
• short rest (20~60 sec) and repeat. gradually increase the number of reps, your crunches will go up by a lot by the time you hit week 3/4 so test your max every now and then

 

I'm going for the Rifleman trade, my candidate coordinator told me intakes 4th August. Maybe hes made a mistake? thats a pretty close date to yours?

Dunno ay, good luck if it is and will probably train with you at some point, otherwise the site says 4th August is when the intake process starts for next years intakes.

[boggy]

did 12 weeks training in nzdf. most of training is crossfit. Biggest failures are shin splints

[Dontrunwithknives]

It's funny how all the softest looking people get shin splints *ROFL*

[kiwithor]

This thread is gold! Applying for NZ police. I have got my testing date on the 26th August, looking to ace the tests. Any last tips for cracking that 2.4k run time?

[Judaise]

Hey all,

I am currently in the process of heading to August Army Intake and I stumbled upon this thread via Google. Fantastic job to all involved as it has been very informative and insightful. Really neat introduction to these forums!

My query, if there is still life in the thread, is being 2 weeks out what is your advice in terms of maintaining and continuing to build fitness going into this intake?
My weaknesses are curlups and the run.

All the best to all the guys heading there.

Thank you in advance.
 

[iwilson]

Did 6 years in RNZSigs many moons ago, Basic training number 225, as with everything it always seems to get softer after your Basic lol. The fitness side of things is not too bad; you do a load of it and by the end of basic training there are not many who can't past an RFL.

 

There are far more tests along the way that can lead to your demise, looking back the NCO's had pretty much figured out within a few weeks who they wanted to see march out and who they didn't. Those on the shit list would get the message one way or another, in my day it might have been a case of getting 'sorted' while no-one was looking if the message wasn't getting through. At the end of the day your comrades might save your life one day and it's better to weed out those not suitable earlier rather than later.

 

I wasn't the best at drill and got balled out on more than one occasion for switching off, when I should have been switched on. Ended up visiting Jehovah on more than one occasion (BIG hill behind the rifle range in Waiouru that had a coloured stone I was required to retrieve lol). But punishment normally involved punishing the rest of the platoon while you stood there watching them suffer - not cool!

 

Do they still do bed rolls I wonder, every morning your bedding had to be folded up into a rectangular box with 4 blankets and two sheets, the dimensions had to be exact and some blankets were better than others (often you would try to cheat by using coat hangers to attempt to avoid seeing it catapulted out a barrack window while you were formed up outside while a barrack inspection was happening). Note the stepped drawers as well. You went to bed late and got up early!

 

Spit polished boots were the other evil, countless hours were spent spitting on your parade boots while laying down multiple layers of Kiwi boot polish, setting each one on fire with a lighter to bed it in. Often the result was cracking resulting in the appropriate punishment.

Getting charged with some misdemeanour was also par for the course, when you were inevitably found guilty (far better just to admit guilt even you weren't), this would involve a few days of punishment, change parades - running from the duty hut (500m), back to barracks screaming to your mates what was required next to get changed into some comedy outfit and back again in smaller and smaller time intervals, over and over again. It was all a test to see if you had what it takes.

Unfortunately alcohol was/is pretty endemic in the forces and I lost a couple of mates to alcohol poisoning as in died. Ashtray sculls, boot sculls, power chugging competitions were all par for the course. When I was made a lance jack (Lance Corporal), I had to drink a yard, but a yard like no other, the bowl was a mixture of ouzo, whisky, gin, vodka and whatever else the boys saw fit to add in. Lucky I had the good sense to chuck up as soon as I finished! The photo is not me but you get the message!

I had the misfortune of spending the next few years at Army Schools in Waiouru learning my trade, enduring the Army Schools parade every Monday and countless barrack inspections. But I don't regret a minute of it, if I was PM for a day I would make it compulsory for everyone. I went in as a boy and came out as a man, with self discipline and the will to succeed, made a lot of good friends and had adventures no civvy can possibly understand, got lucky with a tour to Singapore before they bought the battalion home.

One really good thing was that the Army taught me to type wasn't cool at the time (can you imagine a class room of Soldiers with bibs on to stop us looking at the keys lol). But it stood me in good stead when the internet came along.

I ended up leaving and joining the United Nations as a Field Service Officer and spent a great deal of time in Israel, Yugoslavia in the early 90's while they were killing each other and finally Holland working for a UN organisation (OPCW) destroying chemical weapons. Now own a large Gym and Crossfit box in Pukekohe amongst other activities. None of which would have happened if I hadn't have joined.

Bottom row second from the right - R54893 Certa Cito (Sure and Swift), corp motto. If it's half a good as it was back then it's a life changer. Machine guns, grenades, anti-tank weapons it doesn't get much better! Most of these guys have gone onto to big things in civvy life and 20 years later we still get together on ANZAC day or as it was last weekend to remember a fallen mate in this case the guy sitting next to me on the right who died of alcohol poisoning 20 years ago.

Sorry for the length of the post, the Army taught me to type so it only took a few seconds! But I hope it gives a little insight into Army life.

[Judaise]

What an insightful post iwilson!

It seems like a place that will create some interesting stories to look back on later in life.
I think it is a matter of sticking it out and giving it a good hard go and seeing what happens. Worst comes to worst you get fitter and learn a few lessons about being disciplined.
I heard that often you end up looking back at basic as one of the best times you had in the army.A few nerves are setting in 15 days out haha. It will be interesting doing a winter intake in "Waiberia".
 

[FellowshipOfTheRon]

got through several weeks of it and honestly can say I enjoyed every moment of it. sadly I am back as per lower body injuries (won't get specific here as to keep some anonymity). pushed through it for a while but got to a point where I made my own choice that I won't be the man to hold back my section or put burden on others. 

 

well f***, bad ending to the story... for now. don't qualify for another med clearance now but anyways. very fond memories of waiouru, my mates, the NCOs and that parade ground and hope to be back some point in my life.

 

i will try document more about it later when i feel like it if anyone may be interested but iwilson has covered a fair bit of it. drill, drill, early morning PT in snow with just shirt and shorts, drill, oh yeah and the sense of comraderie is epic!

 

yep iwilson they still do bedrolls lol what fun they are first thing in the morning. people tried to sleep on floor or sleeping bags etc. but NCOs caught on to it and check beds before lights out to make sure theyre all made down the same way then check at revelle to make sure its still like that before the morning routine begins so no cheats. if they weren't done up properly they'd get people from other rooms to do a 'tornado' on your bedspace, one or two peoples got thrown out in the snow too but i'm glad worst that happened to mine was being kicked to other side of the room lol. and spit shining.. if you get caught doing that now you get in heaps of shit. against the standing orders or something apparently spit on boots which turn up on parade ground is same as spitting on the parade ground. never tried the lighter trick might have to give that a go. am obsessed with ironing and polishing all my civvy shit since i got back. also that photo you put up is pretty much the same as the barracks condition today except the sheets are now blue instead of white and things are a little more crammed together (10 bedspaces to a room now).

 

all i can say for anyone who is thinking about it is to go and do it! it is the best thing you will ever do. sure there are tough times but you learn a lot about your self and learn to overcome things. the NCOs while they may seem like hardasses once you get to know them you will see everything is done for a purpose and not just because they want to be dicks. they will carefully scuplt you in to a very sharp mindset.

 

[Pseudonym]

Oh, bugger. Sorry to hear that it didn't work out as you'd hoped, Ron. That would have been a tough call to voluntarily stand down.

Are your injuries something you can fix up, and then try again?

[e s p]

Hey FOTR - This is a much appreciated thread.  I sit my apititude and fitness tests on Oct 22 here in Auckland.  Can I ask you about the maths side of the tests? I've been through the one they have up on the website and see that most of it is very basic algebra/trig.  I'm not in for any nasty surprises am I? Maths is my achilles heel!

[FellowshipOfTheRon]

Hey FOTR - This is a much appreciated thread.  I sit my apititude and fitness tests on Oct 22 here in Auckland.  Can I ask you about the maths side of the tests? I've been through the one they have up on the website and see that most of it is very basic algebra/trig.  I'm not in for any nasty surprises am I? Maths is my achilles heel!

the maths paper has a lot of basic stuff just like on the site but then it also has some harder stuff towards the back. depends on the trade you are applying for whether youll have to do the harder ones or not. if you are going rifleman then just go for the stuff on the site and youll be sweet. if you are going sys engineer or something in airforce (though I think AF get another set of even harder stuff to do also which I have no idea about) then youll need to prove a much higher level of competence in maths so youll be expected to answer a lot more of the questions, particularly the difficult ones which are worth more points. if you are going for a more technical trade, go over all your ncea level 2/3 maths stuff and build a good level of competence so you can solve the problems not only accurately but with a sense of urgency because as i remember it you really don't get much time (think it was like 10mins or so)

[e s p]

Hey FOTR - This is a much appreciated thread.  I sit my apititude and fitness tests on Oct 22 here in Auckland.  Can I ask you about the maths side of the tests? I've been through the one they have up on the website and see that most of it is very basic algebra/trig.  I'm not in for any nasty surprises am I? Maths is my achilles heel!

the maths paper has a lot of basic stuff just like on the site but then it also has some harder stuff towards the back. depends on the trade you are applying for whether youll have to do the harder ones or not. if you are going rifleman then just go for the stuff on the site and youll be sweet. if you are going sys engineer or something in airforce (though I think AF get another set of even harder stuff to do also which I have no idea about) then youll need to prove a much higher level of competence in maths so youll be expected to answer a lot more of the questions, particularly the difficult ones which are worth more points. if you are going for a more technical trade, go over all your ncea level 2/3 maths stuff and build a good level of competence so you can solve the problems not only accurately but with a sense of urgency because as i remember it you really don't get much time (think it was like 10mins or so)

Yeah I only did level one maths and science so my level of knowledge is at ground zero pretty much - I've retaught myself very basic algebra but so far thats about it.  I'm apply for Logistics and Supply, none of the prereqs involve maths or science past level 1 so hopefully it's not an issue.  I've spoken to a few people and they've told me that the assessors will look for the drive and determination - so hopefully I can just push myself as hard as possible and show them that i want it!

[FellowshipOfTheRon]

Supply tech you'll be sweet then. Obviously you'd still want to study as much as possible just to make your application more competitive but you're right ultimately it's the drive they're looking for as skills they can teach you but if you do not have the drive or right attitude then they won't be able to do anything with you.

[ChurBro]

got through several weeks of it and honestly can say I enjoyed every moment of it. sadly I am back as per lower body injuries (won't get specific here as to keep some anonymity). pushed through it for a while but got to a point where I made my own choice that I won't be the man to hold back my section or put burden on others. 

 

well f***, bad ending to the story... for now. don't qualify for another med clearance now but anyways. very fond memories of waiouru, my mates, the NCOs and that parade ground and hope to be back some point in my life.

 

i will try document more about it later when i feel like it if anyone may be interested but iwilson has covered a fair bit of it. drill, drill, early morning PT in snow with just shirt and shorts, drill, oh yeah and the sense of comraderie is epic!

 

yep iwilson they still do bedrolls lol what fun they are first thing in the morning. people tried to sleep on floor or sleeping bags etc. but NCOs caught on to it and check beds before lights out to make sure theyre all made down the same way then check at revelle to make sure its still like that before the morning routine begins so no cheats. if they weren't done up properly they'd get people from other rooms to do a 'tornado' on your bedspace, one or two peoples got thrown out in the snow too but i'm glad worst that happened to mine was being kicked to other side of the room lol. and spit shining.. if you get caught doing that now you get in heaps of shit. against the standing orders or something apparently spit on boots which turn up on parade ground is same as spitting on the parade ground. never tried the lighter trick might have to give that a go. am obsessed with ironing and polishing all my civvy shit since i got back. also that photo you put up is pretty much the same as the barracks condition today except the sheets are now blue instead of white and things are a little more crammed together (10 bedspaces to a room now).

 

all i can say for anyone who is thinking about it is to go and do it! it is the best thing you will ever do. sure there are tough times but you learn a lot about your self and learn to overcome things. the NCOs while they may seem like hardasses once you get to know them you will see everything is done for a purpose and not just because they want to be dicks. they will carefully scuplt you in to a very sharp mindset.

 

 

Thanks for starting this thread FellowshipOfTheRon, very helpful for people going through the defence force application process. Sorry to hear about your injuries.

I was wondering if you could give us a breakdown of what the basic training is like these days? I want to get into an early morning routine now to get prepared for basic training if my application is successful. So it would be awesome if you could let us know what the morning schedule is like? Wake time, PT time, breakfast time, time for showering and shaving?

I especially want to get my body used to doing PT either before or after eating in the morning? I'm guessing they do PT before eating? Also, what does morning PT usually involve? Cheers.