Mō te tūranga
About the role
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Specialisations
Combat & Special Operations
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Entry type
General entry
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Under training
$68,103
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Location
Palmerston North and Christchurch
For future intakes, you will join the Army as a Combat Specialist and operate in a range of different environments. You will be introduced to the strategy and skills for combat, before branching into Infantry, Gunner or an Armoured soldier towards the end of basic training.
As Infantry, you are a front line soldier, and the backbone of Army service. You will be expected to be physically fit and will have to maintain a high level of both physical and mental stamina throughout your career. You will be trained and expected to operate in a range of different environments around the world and will receive advanced training in combat skills. You will become proficient in navigation, weapon handling, field-craft, survival and marksmanship throughout your career. You will be expected to carry out your duties regardless of weather, season or terrain.
Accepting Applications
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Recruit Regular Force 417, starts 07 Jul 2025 Apply by 24 Mar 2025
Apply Now
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.
Education
- 3 years secondary school.
Note, qualifications may be used to assess trade suitability.
Fitness & Medical
Citizenship
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required CV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.
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.
Exercise Black Bayonet 2023
“Having the opportunity to get out the door and train in this part of the country is great for the battalion.”
Lieutenant Tony Calder-Steele
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Job on base
As Infantry, you will spend a vast majority of your time transitioning between a camp and field environment. While in camp you will continue to enhance your infantry core skills such as fieldcraft, weapon training, navigation, communications, marksmanship and physical fitness. When you move into the field environment you will put all your skills into practice during realistic training scenarios in a variety of different environments.
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Job on deployment
A deployment is when you travel to another country to assist them in a variety of roles. These can either be combat or non-combat deployments and as Infantry you will deploy in your primary role. Your main focus will providing security by conducting patrols within your area of operations. As you move through the ranks this focus can shift towards a training, advisory and or an observatory role. The Infantry have a vast and proud history of serving overseas and currently they deploy on a variety of overseas operations.
Career progression and training
01Basic Training
Basic Training
Upon successful enlistment into the Army you will be posted to Waiouru Military Camp. Here you will conduct 16 weeks of basic military training to find out if you have what it takes to be in the New Zealand Army. Here you will learn various skills and subjects including:
- Army Customs and Protocol,
- Physical Fitness,
- Drill and Parades,
- Military Field Skills and Weapon Training,
- First Aid, and
- Organisation and Administration
Towards the end of this course, you will branch into the Infantry, Gunner or Armoured trade, depending on the best match for your skills, personal preference and spaces available
02Job Training
Job Training
COMBAT CORPS TRAINING
This course is more physically and mentally challenging than the recruit course. The aim is to prepare you to operate as an effective member of a rifle section.
You will be trained in the use of specialist weapons that are capable of engaging a wide range of selective targets. You will hone your fieldcraft and physical fitness and will learn to apply first aid to a combat casualty. Other skills learnt on this course may include working with military armoured vehicles and Air Force helicopters, navigation, operating combat radios, and learning the detailed organisation of an infantry battalion.
As Infantry, you will be posted to one of the Infantry Rifle Battalions which will either be the 1st Battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (1 RNZIR) based in Linton Military Camp, Palmerston North. Or you will be posted to 2nd 1st Battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (2/1 RNZIR) which is based in Burnham Military camp, Christchurch.
03Career Progression
Career Progression
As Infantry you will spend your initial years developing your infantry skills within a Rifle Company. You may then have the opportunity of working within a Specialist Infantry Platoon where you will develop some advanced infantry skills such as reconnaissance, sniping, crewing heavy weapons, or advanced communications. Over time you may promote in rank and hold different command positions within an Infantry Battalion. As your career progresses, you will work towards being an Infantry Instructor. In this capacity, you could be posted to the Combat School, based in Linton Military Camp, Palmerston North, tutoring on advanced combat courses, or to Waiouru Military Camp working at either The Army Depot providing initial training to recruits or The Army Command School (ACS) where you would train future leaders during initial training and promotion courses.
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
$98,000
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 & FitnessThe application process
Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.
Application processReady to start your Army career?
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