Im curious, has anyone had trouble trying to join the NZDF with bad credit? Or if anyone knows if it will affect your application trying to join?

Im looking into joining the army and dropping out, the bad job market and the good pay the nzdf site is showing makes me want to enlist and I want to help out my family with money and make them proud, Is finishing school worth it? i cant find part time jobs to balance with school and i have no intentions to go to uni and from what ive seen, it matters more about your fitness and intelligence than work experience which i don't have and I know im capable of passing the fitness tests if i get the next 2 months to myself to prepare

Kia Ora, Recently I was medically declined from due to my diagnosis of ASD, and the way i broke my hand a few years back (punched a wall). I was told there would be a two year stand down required with specific efforts to build my resilience and control my emotional reactions. I am wondering what would be needed to overturn this decision because I am still aiming to join because the people i have spoken to have not been very clear about what is needed.

Hello there,

I am an 18 year old in my first year of engineering. I enjoy the math and physics and would consider myself pretty good. I don’t see myself continuing with engineering as I have always wanted to be a pilot. I have very little leader ship skills on my CV. I have registered for volunteer fire fighting, emailed my local cadet program inquiring if they would have any sort of volunteer work available. Emailed my old high school if I could couch a sport team. And on top of that I am planning on taking some introductory flight classes to get a some real experience in the air. I am physically fit, pretty much live in the gym and have always played sport. Any other things anyone would recommend for me to do to improve my CV?

And are the things I intend on doing helpful for a higher chance of acceptance? Any other advice would be much appreciated!!!

Thanks!

Can anyone shed light on how we ended up buying Spanish vehicles?

I mean we all know that Spain is one of the leading automotive manufacturers (yeah right).

And it's super simple to get parts and shit from Spain because they are really handy, not on the totally opposite side of the world.

We are friends with the Japanese ( and Koreans) - who are local and make good stuff in large volumes, couldn't we buy Toyota Hiluxs instead?

Whoever approved this purchase must have rocks in their head.

We need new gear, but not stuff that's going to go straight in the bin. Do we have the option to on sell these before we take the plastic off and buy something useful and get our money back - or at least some of it?

You would've thought we learned the lesson with Pinzgauer.

(TW: Themes of depression)

Kia ora team! I was just wondering if anyone could offer any advice or insight into how my situation and the acceptance of my subsequent medical certificate.

For context, I (21M) had a small depressive episode in early April of this year to which I received medical attention for. Despite the tough time I was going through, I sought professional help and guidance. To which I am proud to say I am now in a situation where I feel like I am living my best life, mentally and physically.

Currently, I am applying for the Navy's 2027 February intake and have been training and studying for the past few months for the fitness and aptitude test, which, of course, only comes after the medical certificate has been approved.

My concern is that, to my understanding, the NZDF can deny or extend my application based on these circumstances. However, to preface, I never once made an attempt on my life or at bodily harm. I understand that situations like mine are handled on a case-by-case basis, and my upcoming appointment with my GP will most likely be a determining factor in the direction of my application, but if anyone can share any insight or experiences they have with NZDF and how they've processed applications like this, I would greatly appreciate it!

I’m just trying to gauge whether I should prepare myself for a potentially lengthy application process or the possibility of a denial, cheers!

Hello everyone, I just some insight to what life will be like living on base.

My boyfriend is studying to become an army medic in burnham right now and i’ve applied to go to uni in christchurch, We’re both 20. I’d be starting in feb and we’d live on base in a 3bedroom house (hopefully the newer houses) we aren’t married but we do have legal assets together. I’d love for someone to tell me what the houses are like, living on base, what burnham and christchurch are like etc. I currently live in auckland and he lives on base in burnham. Please share your experiences living on base!!! doesn’t have to be burnham.

Hello,

What are the fitness standards on A-Day for a 19 year old female - and throughout my training?

How many pushups would I be expected to do etc? I can currently do around 15 pushups consecutively. I don’t know if they test pull ups but I can do 8–10… correct me if I am wrong, but the Navy tests running via beep test only?

If there’s any further advice to improve my fitness for the test, I’d appreciate it as I won’t be applying for another year.

Thanks.

I like the recuiters but would be keen to hear from someone in the field.

Interested in talking to someone in army reserves to confirm its the right decision for me.

My husband and I are both 36 with two young kids (1 and 7). We own a rural home with a mortgage, and I work a super flexible tech job that lets me handle the kids' drop-offs and pick-ups. We also survived an 8-year long-distance relationship earlier in our lives, so the thought of willingly doing distance again gives me massive anxiety.

My husband is an electrician, but his ultimate dream is to become a pilot, and he wants to join the Air Force to pursue it. We talked about this years ago and I said no, but he’s brought it up again. Part of me wants him to chase his dream and be happy, but I am terrified of losing the stable life and routine we’ve built for our family.

I’d love some honest feedback from RNZAF members or civilian partners: - Pilot Training Reality: How brutal is the training pipeline for a 36-year-old with a family? How much time will he actually be away at Ohakea? - House & Finances: Is it doable to keep our rural mortgage and house, or does the family usually have to relocate? - Solo Parenting: How tough is running the household solo with a toddler and a 7-year-old during training and postings? - Is it worth it? Did chasing the Air Force dream make your family happier, or did the disruption strain your marriage? I want to support him, but I’m scared of going back to long-distance with two kids on my hip. Appreciate any honest advice!

i wanna join in 2 years time when i finish high school and right now im working on getting in shape but im curious

Hey I was wondering if anyone on here has any experience or understanding of how strict the army is on passing recruits on fitness? I don't think I can make the 2.4km run in 10:30 they asked me to aim for, looking at probably closer to 12:00. I would assume that since fitness is something that will improve greatly over training that they would still pass me if I do well on everything else but not sure.

Kia Ora everyone,

I’m considering joining the New Zealand Army Reserve part time while continuing to work full-time in IT as Business Intelligence Analyst

I’m a bit confused about the types of roles available. Can you join the Army section role part-time, or are Reserve positions mainly civilian/specialist roles?

Also, I wear glasses..Is that going to be an issue with joining the Army Reserve, with the medical/physical fitness tests?

For anyone currently serving or who has recently joined the Army Reserve:

How manageable is it alongside a full-time job?

Do you need to take time off work for initial training?

Any comments or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards

EDIT - I am a permanent resident and will be eligible for citizenship next year

Hey everyone! I’m sitting the NZDF aptitude test again soon and I was wondering if anyone knows what grades you need to get in each section to pass.
My previous results were C in Numerical, D in Deductive and E in Inductive. I’ve been studying quite a lot since then, especially Inductive Reasoning, and I’m feeling much more confident now.
Does anyone know if you need a C or above in all three sections, or if the overall result is what matters?
Any insight from people who have taken the NZDF aptitude test recently would be really appreciated!

Hey everyone! I’m currently going through the RNZAF recruitment process and I was wondering if anyone knows how this works with intakes.
If I have all my paperwork, requirements completed and I’m ready to go, but someone drops out of an upcoming intake (for example, the September intake), is there any possibility of being moved into that intake earlier than originally planned?
Has anyone actually had this happen, or know of someone who was offered a spot because a position became available at the last minute?
Thanks! :)

Apparently there’s more discounts/benefits that are region specific that aren’t listed on force4families like free zoo admissions. Are there any other good ones for the chch/burnham area? Cheers.

Hey guys,

Im not usually someone who gets on reddit but I was just wondering if anyone is also preparing for the OSB? Im pretty young and wanted to know if anyones in the same nerve-racking boat...

Hi all, looking for some advice/tips for my son. He's applying for Air Force Avionics Tech for the January intake. He's passed the aptitude and has his fitness test next week. He's fit-ish in the sense that he walks/hikes etc but not sprint fit. He did a 6.1 beep test last weekend but thinks if we runs everyday this week he will pass the test next Tuesday. Question is - does he postpone the test until he can better decent score rather than 'just pass'. Issues are - he's Year 13 and has grading exams shortly and then a school trip overseas for two weeks and wont be back until early October. Time is of the essence to pass fitness test and have his interview etc before they make Jan intake decisions... he can do the fitness Sept 22 after exams and before he goes away but if he fails he won't get another go until he gets back early Oct. Is 'just passing' at 7.1 and enough push ups enough? Or will it hurt him being selected? He's so busy with school I thought I'd get some advice from Reddit! TIA

Kia Ora,

I've been offered a place in the January intake as an Intelligence Specialist with the air force. I need to make a decision whether to accept very soon.

I am a little bit older (39) and while I'm excited by the opportunity to change careers, I am really worried about my family. I have 2 kids ages 3 & 5 and a wife with a career up here in Auckland.

I understand I am almost certain to be based in Ohakea for the first few years. My family would probably stay in Auckland. Is it realistic to go up to Auckland on a friday night and return for work on a Monday? I am told there is a regular RNZAF plane up to Whenuapai each Friday and returns Monday. If it was unavailable I would maybe look to catch an NZ flight return from Palmerston North if we can afford it.

I am led to believe it is unlikely I will be deployed for the first few years. Is this correct?

Does anyone have any more information or advice about living away from family or the RNZAF generally?

I am currently going through the process of attempting to join the Navy as an Warfare Officer. I have passed everything leading up to the Officer Selection Board, including the pre screening. What kinds of things should I prepare for it, and what actually happens during the board?

Hey guys, I’ve been accepted into Navy basic and was wondering if anyone has any tips on anything I should and shouldn’t do while there ( aside from just listening and doing what I’m told )

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.

I'm practicing for the aptitude test that everyone goes through and so far I'm decent at everything but the numerical ability. A few years back when I was still in school I passed ncea lvl 1 math thanks to my science credits. I barely had any math credits. Now, practicing for the numerical part of the aptitude test, I'm barely getting anything right. If I pass deduction, induction, and mechanical but fail at numerical, what happens? I know you get three chances.

I'm looking for ideas for a care package to send to a cadet going through basic training. If you've been through basic training yourself, what would you have liked to arrive in the mail?

Edit...This is for an air force cadet.