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Thread ID: 58285	2005-05-27 10:36:00	NZ Army	Fergie (6508)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
358907	2005-05-27 10:36:00	Hey. I'm thinking about joing the Territorials in the NZ Amry at the start of next year (after i have left High School and started Uni) Is anyone here in the Army - full time or TF? Or anyone been in it, or know of people in it? If so, i'd appreciate any '1st hand info' (rather then all this info you get in the books and on the army site...) BUt i'm most interested in: 1) what its like being a Uni student and being in the TF 2) whats it like been an officer (and being and young officer - liek 19yr old leading a gorupd of older dudes would seem weird) And i'm considering applying for the Malone Scheme - where your train in the TF as an officer, and the army pays for your Uni fees, but you just have to stay in the TF for 6 years. Anyone know anything about this?? Cheers	Fergie (6508)
358908	2005-05-27 10:55:00	<obligatory bridge building joke>	ninja (1671)
358909	2005-05-27 12:09:00	Should everyone do this? Yes! Any regrets? Yes - leaving. You get fed, clothed, watered, housed, told what to do and shoot rifles - what more could you want? Uni and TF are ok together - there is an 'annual camp' somewhere around the country that cuts into Uni but most of the time it was Fri afternoon through to Sunday evening. Gets you fit, focused, disciplined and if you don't smoke, then you will by the time you leave... You'll need a month or 2 off for basic training - for a bit of prep I recommend watching 'Full Metal Jacket' (except few people ever actaully die at basic, but the drill sergeants are a crack-up!) and yes you do have to get up at 2am to brush your teeth on the parade ground and yes you do only get about 4-6 hours sleep per night, but hey, it's all part of the fun.... The other bonus? Auto-entry into any RSA NZ-wide. Start as an officer? No, start at the bottom - it's more fun plus the 2nd left's are dickheads - don't be one of them. The downer? If there is any 'action' that requires 'volunteers' then you're off, studies or no studies. Fortunately I wasn't called up but had a cousin that went to Afghanistan - he loved and hated it. Saw plenty too... Just do it, you won't regret it Gnr A93 ex TF-Artillery, HQ Battery, 16th Field Regiment, RNZA :thumbs:	andrew93 (249)
358910	2005-05-27 12:24:00	Lav 3s and no air support. The words "cannon fodder" and "sitting ducks" come to mind.	vapo (5203)
358911	2005-05-27 12:39:00	The words "cannon fodder" and "sitting ducks" come to mind. And that's exactly what we are without a decent defence force. I was in the TF for 5yrs, had a great time Went ot the Chathams twice, annual camps were great Basic Training was tough for a 19 speights drinker with a keen interest in all sorts of herbs but after a couple of weeks I started to enjoy and after 6 weeks didn't want to go home. Go for it	bartsdadhomer (80)
358912	2005-05-27 18:25:00	Lav 3s and no air support. The words "cannon fodder" and "sitting ducks" come to mind. The US throws millions of dollars into their defence force and their forces over in Iran are still "cannon fodder" and "sitting ducks" . The US Govt's arrogant bullying behaviour in a lot of countries has earned them a lot of hate, and it is that "hate" which caused the 911 and the young American service men becoming "cannon fodder". Warmonger George Bush and his father have a lot to answer for in my opinion. I was Air Force myself for 5 years, but am so damn proud of the NZ Army and what they've achieved both in military action and in always being there to help when any disasters occur in NZ. They have earned a lot of respect in the countries where they have served. To Fergie I may have got the wrong impression, but if you are only going into the TF for a free ride into the University, then don't. The TF doesn't need that type. But if you are really genuinely interested, then go for it. My time in the Air Force gave me some of my best times.	MMM (5660)
358913	2005-05-27 21:56:00	Cool thanks guys. I have always (since 5th form) planned to join the TF as a soldier, always planned to - had all the papers, read every book and everything. And at the same time i have always intended to go to Uni. I know what course i am doing, and even know what hostel i'm going to apply for. It's just that when i saw this 'scheme' where they funded your studies plus you were only in the TF ( i had seen a heap of schemes where they funded studies, but you were in the RF and had to stay in the army full time for X amount of years - i don't wanna be full time) i thought great, i should apply, the only downside is that you have to go in as an officer... But i mean hey, if i could get $10k a year for all my uni costs (even includes a bonus if you get good marks!) plus they give me a job i'd happily go in as an officer in return!! And for all you guys that were in teh TF, i have a few more q's: You work 30 days a year, can you work extra? When do you work these days? Are they usually weekends? What happens if you’ve got something major on a weekend you should be working? Can you go an work other days, or is only set TF days you can work, like say in my Uni break I have 3 weeks off, and I have nothing to do and need some $$, could I come do a week at once during this break? Or can you only work set days? What about transport? Like if I’m at Hamilton, where do you train/work and how do you get there?' Cheers	Fergie (6508)
358914	2005-05-27 22:18:00	Fergie The best and most reliable place to get the answers to your questions is the local recuiting office. Defence can be rewarding but before you comitt yourself, try it out, enlist as a soldier (TF), it is easier to to get out if you discover its not for you and it gives you experance if you do decide to go down the officer track. I did considerable time as RF and enjoyed every minute of it wouldn't change it for a minute. good luck nil sine labor (nothing without labour)	beama (111)
358915	2005-05-28 05:10:00	Someone I know was in the SAS. Only quit because of family (away from the wife and kids for months on end wasn't easy). One of the best gamers I know (He thinks like a soldier... it seems to help ;)) Apparently the pay is pretty good in the SAS too... Mike.	Mike (15)
358916	2005-05-28 05:23:00	wow! SAS, thats pretty hard out! I hear that there selection is one of the toughest in the world! But yea, i'm not really aiming that high! Would be cool to be in the new CTTAG tho!	Fergie (6508)
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