Mō te tūranga
About the role
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Specialisations
Combat & Special Operations | Engineering & Technical trades | Intelligence, IT & Communications | Logistics & Administration | Officers & Management
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Entry type
Officer entry
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Under training
$68,103
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Location
Linton, Burnham, Trentham, Wellington, Papakura and Waiouru.
Officers are the leaders of the New Zealand Army. They are the managers and strategists. Their decision-making skills and problem-solving abilities enable them to plan and execute tasks in wide-ranging conditions. It is their job to earn trust and respect, and to display the strength of character to inspire their soldiers in potentially difficult situations.
After completing Officer training, you will join a corps, specialising in combat, engineering, intelligence, communications or logistics.
Requirements
Basics
- Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
- Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.
- Pass an Officer Selection Board.
While we accept school leavers, we would prefer people who may have a bit of life experience and possibly some tertiary education. Some scholarship opportunities exist for school leavers who have achieved a good education and are interested in tertiary study. All Officers will have the opportunity to pursue further study as you progress through your career.
Fitness & Medical
Citizenship
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required SV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.
Period of Service
Upon enlistment you are given an offer of service of 15 years. This is the standard Army offer but does not oblige either yourself or the Army to complete this. It is subject to factors including your right to cease service with 3 months notice once your initial training is complete.
We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.
A Real New Zealand Soldier's Story
“Training as an Officer is a 12 month course, conducted in Waiouru at Officer Cadet School. It’s a very intense course, really pushing you to your limits and beyond.”
Kimberley.
Lieutenant
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Job on base
As a Army Officer you are the frontline leader of the Army, to begin with, as a junior officer, you will be expected to:
- Organise and conduct training
- Budget and managing of resources assigned to you
- Work alongside the troops you lead, participating in training and exercises
- Take on an instructional role, passing on knowledge to your troops
- Manage and coordinate field exercises
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Job on deployment
Officers are deployed all around the world, including UN missions (e.g. as an observer in Lebanon or Syria) and Afghanistan as part of our Provisional Reconstruction Team. Officers also have the opportunity to be chosen for exchange postings or conduct professional training and development overseas.
Career progression and training
01Basic Training
Basic Training
Initial Induction Training (IIT) – Jan-Mar
(12 weeks) Location: Waiouru Military Camp
All direct entry NZ Army Officer Cadets and selected individuals are required to complete IIT. This full-time course will introduce potential officers to the standards and discipline required to be an effective member of the New Zealand Army. It is designed to train basic individual military skills which includes:
- Self-leadership
- Physical Training
- Field-craft
- Military Unarmed Combat
- Weapon handling
- Navigation
- Drill
- Battle-craft
- Radio telephone procedure
- Leadership
New Zealand Commissioning Course (NZCC) – Apr-Dec
(38 weeks) Location: Waiouru Military Camp
This course commences at the end of IIT. It is designed for those with the potential to undertake a career in the New Zealand Army as a Regular Force Officer. Students will be exposed to a range of military environments, aimed at developing the leadership, character, and education of individuals in order to prepare them for commissioned service. Training includes:
- Leading Teams
- Leading Leaders
- Physical Training
- Field-craft
- Enhanced Weapon handling
- Navigation
- Drill
- Enhanced Battle-craft
- Radio telephone procedure
- Tactics
- University Study
The NZCC training cycle is based upon an Infantry Platoon training continuum. Therefore individuals wishing to complete NZCC need to be motivated, adaptable, resilient, physically fit and have a desire to be an effective leader within the New Zealand Defence Force.
02Job Training
Job Training
JUNIOR OFFICER TRAINING
Junior officer training within the New Zealand Army includes further formal courses. Officers are expected to complete these courses in their first 1-4 years. These are:
YOUNG OFFICERS CORPS COURSES
The aim of an officer’s initial corps course is to prepare the officer to assume a junior command appointment within his or her corps. This training is conducted as soon as possible after an officer completes his or her initial officer training. In most cases this training is conducted in New Zealand at the officer's parent corps school however, for selected corps, an officer's initial corps course may need to be conducted at an overseas training establishment.
JUNIOR STAFF OFFICERS COURSE
The Junior Staff Officers Course is designed to prepare officers to perform the non-operational duties of an officer at unit and formation headquarters level. This training is sponsored by the School of Army Administration and is delivered by distance education and residential training.
03Ongoing Training
Ongoing Training
INTERMEDIATE OFFICER TRAINING
Intermediate Officer Training within the New Zealand Army includes three formal courses aimed at further developing leadership, command tactics and planning skills.
04Specialist Training
Specialist Training
You may be required to conduct other courses or training depending on how your career progresses.
05Career Progression
Career Progression
As you continue in the organisation, you will move between your primary specialty and into areas such as capability, project management (procurement of Army equipment), Human Resource Management and Training and Development.
Benefits & 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 tūrangawaewae
- 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
Salary & 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.
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Under training
$68,103
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Future potential earnings
$140,000
Am I fit enough?
If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.
Medical & Fitness
The application process
Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.
Application process
Ready to start your Army career?
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