Military career advice

[NZ22]

Hi

I am just after some advice in regards to a career within the New Zealand defense force.

I am 23yo, just finished my bachelors and am currently enrolled in an honors year/masters (2years) at Waikato University. In 2014 I took a gap year as after 3 years of University I was at a lost and needed to find myself.

During 2014 I applied to become a Navy Diver as I was active at the time with sport/recreational activities such as cycling around the south island. I was picked to head to devonport where they held the selection board, did very well in the physical exercises (swimming, Beep-test, etc) as well as the team exercise, however made some critical mistakes during the test dive which obviously held me back from being picks for one of the final 3 spots (15 attended the selection weekend).

However, during the interview I asked a lot of physiological questions (probably to many given i was applying to become a diver, going by the feedback) to which one of the interviewers said I would probably quite enjoy speaking with their specialist consultant at Auckland hospital. The interviewers and psychologist both seemed to be hinting about finishing my degree.

After this I was at a complete lose and stupidly reapplied to join as a grunt to which the selection board said no, suggesting i go back and finish my degree. I have no completed my degree and am enrolled in post graduate study as above.

So I would like to know what some of you would suggest, I am enrolled in a psychology masters (Finished my bsc in physiology and psychology) so was considering applying for psychologist (assuming the first 2-4years aren't desk bound). I also need to consider which service to join, considering the different culture in each.

As I am 23 and I still have 2 years of University left for a Master's this is obviously long term planning, however considering the current state of the NZDF enrollment process planning this far ahead almost seems like a requirement.

My general area of interest (Other then physiology, endocrinology) in Psychology is motivational, I am doing my honor's project on a concept called "gamification" (look it up, it's got nothing to do with video games).

Lastly, What military life actually like? after all the general training for the first few years? How has it changed and is it going to be vastly different by the time I enroll, if I do so.

Library is about to close so I will post replies for more information if required later

 

[ngatimozart]

Hi

I am just after some advice in regards to a career within the New Zealand defense force.

I am 23yo, just finished my bachelors and am currently enrolled in an honors year/masters (2years) at Waikato University. In 2014 I took a gap year as after 3 years of University I was at a lost and needed to find myself.

During 2014 I applied to become a Navy Diver as I was active at the time with sport/recreational activities such as cycling around the south island. I was picked to head to devonport where they held the selection board, did very well in the physical exercises (swimming, Beep-test, etc) as well as the team exercise, however made some critical mistakes during the test dive which obviously held me back from being picks for one of the final 3 spots (15 attended the selection weekend).

However, during the interview I asked a lot of physiological questions (probably to many given i was applying to become a diver, going by the feedback) to which one of the interviewers said I would probably quite enjoy speaking with their specialist consultant at Auckland hospital. The interviewers and psychologist both seemed to be hinting about finishing my degree.

After this I was at a complete lose and stupidly reapplied to join as a grunt to which the selection board said no, suggesting i go back and finish my degree. I have no completed my degree and am enrolled in post graduate study as above.

So I would like to know what some of you would suggest, I am enrolled in a psychology masters (Finished my bsc in physiology and psychology) so was considering applying for psychologist (assuming the first 2-4years aren't desk bound). I also need to consider which service to join, considering the different culture in each.

As I am 23 and I still have 2 years of University left for a Master's this is obviously long term planning, however considering the current state of the NZDF enrollment process planning this far ahead almost seems like a requirement.

My general area of interest (Other then physiology, endocrinology) in Psychology is motivational, I am doing my honor's project on a concept called "gamification" (look it up, it's got nothing to do with video games).

Lastly, What military life actually like? after all the general training for the first few years? How has it changed and is it going to be vastly different by the time I enroll, if I do so.

Library is about to close so I will post replies for more information if required later

Hi NZ22,

Welcome to DT.

I think that you first need to determine what you actually want to do within the NZDF then that will determine which service you join. The first point is are your wanting to pursue psychology professionally within NZDF? Or are you looking at another field? Being a grunt with your quals, means that you are slightly academically over qualified for the job. No offence to our infantry colleagues. So that's my first piece of advice. Define what it is that you want to do within NZDF.

My second piece of advice is, considering that you have two years of uni left if you complete your Masters dissertation have you thought about joining the Reserves whilst still at uni? They used to be the Territorials. Since you are at Waikato there maybe an Army Reserve unit in Hamilton. If you are real keen, you could look at the Royal NZ Navy Volunteer Reserves (RNZNVR) with the closest Division to Hamilton being HMNZS Ngapona which is in Auckland. It is alongside SH1 heading north just before the Harbour Bridge. That's if you don't mind the commute. Normally the Reserve commitment is one two hour week night parade per week and a full 14 day continuous period of service during the year. You would also be expected to attend training camps etc., held over weekends during the year. That would give you a taste of service life without the commitment of being a Regular. Then if you decided it was what you wanted then you can apply to become a Regular.

Service life is different to say the least. You form friendships there that last a lifetime and service friends are different to civilian friends because our outlook is different. The day that you sign up is the last time that you will ever be a civilian. Even when you leave the service you go from being a serviceperson to being an ex service person or a retired serviceperson, but not a civilian.

The first part of service life is your introduction to it through your recruit or basic course. This is full on, requires a good level of fitness and the ability to keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut. You get introduced to parade ground drill, weapons training, discipline, service protocols, discipline, and all the other intricacies of service life. The instructors will push you and keep pushing to get the best out of you but don't take it personally.

When I was in we used to work hard and play hard. Now that last bit is frowned upon by the powers that be. They don't condone some of the antics that the forbears of the current service personnel got up too. It is not a 9 - 5 job and you are on call 24/7/365.

My next piece of advice. You must accept the possibility that you could be sent into combat and face life threatening situations plus be directed to kill other humans. If you cannot do that for any reason do not join. That is what my father and uncles, who were WW2 veterans ensured that I understood before I joined up at the age of 17 years and nine months.

My last piece of advice. The best person to talk to is the recruiting officer.

Good luck.