Mātauranga me te whakangungu
Education & training
It takes a lot of skills and training to do the things our Army does. From medical to engineering, navigation to combat, cooking for hundreds to leading soldiers into combat, the range of trades in the Army is diverse.
We need our people to be highly trained in what they do, because they may have to do their job in adverse conditions, at a moment’s notice. At these times, we need experts. We need our people to excel and to be the best they can be.
Our people have to handle some of the most advanced technologies in the world. They are provided with the training, education, tools, and equipment necessary to become fully effective in their field.
Recruit Training
An introduction to Army life
At the beginning, training starts with getting to grips with Army culture and becoming familiar with listening to details, following instructions, and learning how to work as a team.
Each year we run several Basic Training Regular Recruit Force (RRF) courses. These courses are 17 weeks long. We also run a year long officer training course.
During initial training, recruits get used to working quickly as a team, and with urgency, in order to complete tasks. They learn basic skills like weapon handling, first aid and drill. This is all part of developing an ability to perform tasks in the most inhospitable environments, under the direction of a leader, and in a team with people they can rely on.
After basic training, personnel move on to become an expert in their chosen field. They undertake specialised training on courses, as well as on the job and through sponsored tertiary study. Sponsored part-time study or full-time study is available as well.
The way that we train our personnel has benefits outside the Army too. The qualifications our people achieve, plus the life and employment skills they gain, are highly sought after in the civilian world. And the skills, character and resilience that they develop in the Army will also be valuable to the private and public sectors.