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NZARMY OFFICER GRADUATION

Army

Army Officer

You are a leader in the Army; you are tasked with planning and executing Operations in difficult situations. Take command of soldiers, equip yourself to lead and inspire others to bring out the best in themselves.

Mō te tūranga

About the role

  • Specialisations

    Combat & Special Operations | Engineering & Technical trades | Intelligence, IT & Communications | Logistics & Administration | Officers & Management

  • Entry type

    Officer entry

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • 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. There are some scholarship opportunities 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.

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 the 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

  • 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
  • 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

02Job Training

03Ongoing Training

04Specialist Training

05Career Progression

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.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $140,000

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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
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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
army generic base for roles

Ready to start your Army career?

APPLY NOW

Tūranga whaipānga

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