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
Devonport
Seamanship Combat Specialists are the experts in the control and conduct of all seamanship operations, gunnery tasks, boardings of other vessels and force protection (ships security). They conduct all aspects of ship’s cleanliness and upper deck maintenance. As a Seamanship Combat Specialist your role is mentally and physically demanding, whether driving the Navy RHIBs (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats), undertaking fire fighting exercises, searching boats for illegal cargo, conducting refuellings at sea and all small arm weapon drills and training. Seamanship Combat Specialists are also responsible for all parade and ceremonial duties as well as seamanship training, Force Protection (ship and ashore security) and Boarding Team training. You will need to be a team player who works well with others, be flexible and adaptable to change at short notice.
Accepting Applications
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Basic Common Training 25-2, starts 25 Aug 2025 Apply by 12 May 2025
Apply Now
Requirements
Basics
- Be a minimum of 18 years of age upon entry.
- 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
- You must be medically fit for service.
- You must meet the minimum entry fitness standards.
Citizenship
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the CV security clearance required for this trade. You must be free of any criminal convictions for the previous two years.
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.
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Job on base
Shore positions for Seamanship Combat Specialists are available at the Sea Safety Training Squadron, the Small Arms Training Unit, the Naval Boat Yard, the wet and dry side Seamanship Training Aids facility and at the Ceremonial Parade Ground, assisting with ceremonial and parade duties.
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Job on deployment
Following the Seamanship Combat Specialist course, personnel are usually posted to sea to begin on-the-job training that consolidates the skills that you learnt on course, and provides the experience required for the first promotion to Able Seamanship Combat Specialist. Whilst at sea, you will drive the ship, conduct lookout duties and other specialist and general tasks. Depending on the ship’s requirements, in special circumstances Seamanship Combat Specialists may be required to work up to 18 hours a day at sea. Service at sea is for a period determined by the requirements of the Navy, but Seamanship Combat Specialists should expect to spend the first several years of their career on Ships at sea.
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 Navy 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 Basic Recruit Course you will be paid as a Recruit. On completion of your Recruit Course you will be paid as an Ordinary Rate and your pay will continue to increase as your career progresses.
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Under training
$68,103
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Future potential earnings
$98,000
Career progression and training
01Basic Training
Basic Training
Upon successful enlistment into the Navy you will be posted to Devonport, Auckland. Here you will do 16 weeks of basic military training to find out if you have what it takes to be in the Navy, and learn various subjects including:
- Teamwork and support
- Naval history and customs
- Drill and parades
- Core mariner skills and weapons training
- First aid and firefighting
- Physical fitness
- Self-discipline
02Job Training
Job Training
Following Basic Common Training, you will undertake training in the following areas:
Seamanship:
- Helmsman duties
- Bridge lookout
- Slipping & berthing
- Boat operations (Recovery of personnel and materials from the sea)
- Anchoring
- Crane operations & rigging
- Underway replenishment (Refuelling)
- Towing
- Upper deck maintenance & general ship’s cleanliness
Weapons operations:
- Small arms firing
- Weapons security
- Ammunition & pyrotechnics
- Gunnery lookouts
Maritime Military Operations:
- Boarding party training
- Searching boarded vessels to assess activities and cargo
- Use of force in operations
- Boats crew
- Weapon crew
- Force protection & sentry duty
- Parade and Ceremonial
Following this initial training phase, you will complete on the job training where you will be posted to a ship to complete a task book to enable career progression and promotion. You can reasonably be expected to have attained a basic level of competence within 18 months of joining.
03Advanced Training
Advanced Training
Advanced training will involve both leadership skills and development as a Seamanship Combat Specialist. Successful completion of these will qualify you for promotion to Leading Seamanship Combat Specialist. This will be supplemented by sea postings and further training to prepare you for supervisory roles. Eventually, you may be responsible for training and supervising personnel junior to you in Seamanship, Combat and Ceremonial duties.
04Specialist Training
Specialist Training
For further promotion, Seamanship Combat Specialists have the opportunity to undertake the following Maritime Safety Authority approved courses:
- Coastguard Day Skippers & Royal Yachting Association powerboat Level 2 certificate
- Coastguard Boatmaster & Royal Yachting Association powerboat Level 2 certificate
- Certificate in Domestic Maritime Operations
These are recognised civilian qualifications for boat operations in New Zealand.
Courses completed throughout your first three years will provide you with NZQA Level 3 Deck Hand, alongside other NZQA qualifications. You will conduct crane and height safety courses, and have the opportunity to further develop your understanding of small arms and self-defence courses.
Your hard work, experience and training accomplishments as a Seamanship Combat Specialist will be rewarded with promotions in rank and salary.
05Career Progression
Career Progression
Following your initial training, you will spend the majority of your career at sea to first consolidate and then develop your skills. Postings ashore and at sea will follow and professional training with further training assisting with your professional development and career progression. There are opportunities for Seamanship Combat Specialists on all Navy Ships, whether they are carrying out long range combat missions or patrolling
New Zealand's territorial waters. Peacekeeping opportunities as part of a deployed force are also available as your career progresses up the ranks.
During a typical day in the life of a Seamanship Combat Specialist you would expect to:
- Conduct Ship driving and look out duties on the ship’s bridge
- Conduct Replenishments at Sea (transfer of fuel and equipment between ships at sea)
- Crew the ship’s RHIB during Man Overboard drills
- Be a member of a ship’s firefighting team
- Conduct Boarding and ship Protection Operations
- Fire a .50 calibre machine gun and other small arms weapons
- Assist other members of the ship in the use of small arms weapons
- Perform routine maintenance tasks
Be Prepared
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
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