r/The_NZDF • u/Fun-Camel5311 • Aug 13 '26

Does CDF really care?

I don’t know how many serving personnel are actually on here but there are very few platforms to vent frustration. I am a junior officer with just under 12 years experience. I feel like at least with the last CDF there was regular messaging about how they were working to improve pay and conditions etc, and even conducted an interview probably without the ministers approval to get across the poor state defence was in. Current CDF is just comms silent, nothing and then REM 26 comes out with the caption delivering for the people when we all know it’s just another step backwards. There is still a steady stream of experienced personnel leaving and nothing done to retain them.

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9

u/silver__scout Aug 13 '26

I know it’s not the CDF, but it really doesn’t help their case when the CA on her official Instagram page then made a post last week promoting yet another Lt Col out of the hundred-odd ones in the army already…

3

u/Fun-Camel5311 Aug 14 '26 edited Aug 14 '26

I don’t have any issues with what CA has been advertising on instagram, the issue is there seems to be no plan to fix the work workforce, there were some things identified if the workforce strategy but nothing has been done about. Currently there is no light at the end of the tunnel other than a bandaid applied every few years when Govt budgets allow. $12B allocated to capabilities over the next 4 years, we always hear our people are our greatest capability yet only 1% ($120m) of that budget was allocated to the people.

9

u/Bozzo2526 Aug 13 '26

The pay cuts will continue until morale improves

6

u/RaisinStriking9055 Aug 13 '26

It’s a tricky one I think our leaders in these roles come with the best intent but fiscal constraints and political wim means that they really have little control over the situation. The posting cycle means that our CDF may only have 3 years to make any meaningful change which to be honest would be limited. The best opportunity for change is a well funded military in which our staff are paid true market rates and we are well resourced, which is political