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Steward

Job Group

  • Soldier

Job Availability

  • Full Time
  • Part Time

The Role

As a Steward, you will find yourself serving all types of food and beverages to the officers and senior soldiers in the Army's messes (or dining areas).

You will be given all the skills required to serve food with table service, silver service, and gueridon service (where the meal is cooked at the table using a portable meal service trolley). You will learn how to match wines with different foods. You will also train towards achieving London City and Guilds Institute certificates as well as your bar managers certificate.

Your qualifications will be internationally recognised and are second to none in the hospitality field in New Zealand.
 

Job on Camp

You will be involved in organising the Army's many formal regimental functions and official functions. Some of these include providing fine dining to visiting dignitaries and world leaders from overseas. Your general day–to–day tasks include serving of officers and senior soldiers of the Army.
 

Job on Deployment

Stewards deploy on a variety of overseas deployments and missions, performing catering roles vital to service delivery of meals in support of New Zealand and multinational forces.
 

Career Progression

As your career as a steward progresses there are opportunities to move from steward to shift in charge to managing camp hospitality facilities such as the bars and messes. 

Pay & Benefit Details

Careers in the Army are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.

While undertaking initial Recruit Course you will be paid as a Recruit (see attached pay table). On completion of  your Recruit Course you will be paid as a Private and your pay will continue to increase as your career progresses.

General Requirements

  • You must be at least 17 years of age.
  • Meet the citizenship & security requirements to gain CV security clearance for this trade.
  • A background in catering will make you a more competitive applicant.
  • Driver's Licence: A Class 1 restricted driver's licence is recommended, but is not compulsory.
  • You will need a high standard of personal presentation and a desire to excel in the hospitality trade.

Educational Requirements

  • You must have completed at least three years at secondary school.
  • A proven ability in English and Maths at NCEA Level 1 (12 credits per subject) or equivalent

Fitness Requirements

You must be medically fit for service.

Training

Basic Training

Upon successful enlistment into the Army you will be posted to Waiouru Army base. Here you will do 16 weeks of basic military training to find out if you have what it takes to be in the Army, and learn various subjects including:
 

  • Organisation and Administration
  • Army Customs and Protocol
  • Drill and Parades
  • Military Field Skills and Weapon Training
  • First Aid
  • Physical Fitness

Job Training

Post Recruit Training

As a part of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistics Corps, you will first be sent on a Corps course that will familiarise you with the vehicles and equipment used by the Royal NZ Army Logistic Regiment. You may also begin training to gain your heavy trade, forklift and other licences.
 

Catering Training

You will then spend nine weeks at the Joint Services Catering School in Waiouru. There you will learn basic food preparation, food hygiene, knife skills, how to operate the Army's field catering equipment and basic food and beverage service. Then it is back to the mess (dining room) to put into practice the skills you have gained.
 

Your next formal training course will see you back in Waiouru where you will be taught skills such as:
 

  • General table service
  • Silver service (using a spoon and fork to provide fine dining)
  • Gueridon service (where the meal is cooked at the table using a portable meal service trolley)
  • Beverage training (which covers bar work and gives you knowledge of wines and how to serve them)
     

These courses will give you the opportunity to gain internationally recognised stewarding qualifications such as the London City and Guilds Institute Certificates in food and beverage service and the NZ Wine Certificate.

Location Details

In New Zealand all Stewards can be posted to Linton Military Camp, Trentham Military Camp, Burnham Military Camp and Papakura Military Camp.

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