NZDF Retention - My 2 Cents. 

Bang on bro. Once that facade of “world class army with mana” drops away, you realise pretty quickly how fucking messy it has all gotten. It was embarrassing towards the end of my shift in the army.

So Bang on mate... found this late... judith Collins needs to watch this and fucking listen to the reality of our top class army that has a great past reputation! From x QAMR

Awesome insight bro! Reckon you should share your views on the application process aswell. Recently just got medically declined because I said I had been diagnosed with AD/HD and had mild tinnitus. It was the Ad/hd that was the deciding factor, and its bullshit. The policies in place for mental health within our government agencies including the DF and nz police is stone aged. Never did I get a meeting to talk to anyone within the organisation to discuss it, just a thank you for applying, but nah. Nevermind the fact that I achieved NCEA merit endorsements, or working in senior management in various jobs after school. Just a questionnaire that decides im not viable, and dumb honesty. No idea how much serving means to some people, and what they have to offer.

Great frank discussion of the issues. Sad but appropriate that our allies are wondering what we've contributed to the GWOT. Without Ops there's no point joining, and anyone that already has the skills and experience is out there doing the Ops as a contractor.

This was a great insight, I am currently in the recruitment process for the NZDF now after deciding I needed a career of purpose and a real physical and mental challenge. This has been a great reality check of the beuracratic obstacles that will be in my way. Thanks again mate and all the best with your company and future endeavours.

I'm joining the army as an infantryman next year. The idea of deployments is a big reason why it interests me so much. really hoping for some good action, Im wanting to help & save people that need it!

this needs way more views

I have been out for a few years. From what I can see , what we generally refer to as support trades are really suffering particularly for qualified tradespeople and up to Sgt , and also Lt-capt. same for combat trades- when you lose qualified soldiers and junior leaders it is hard to recover. A lack of middle management in strategic level posts also creates capability and logistics problems long term. Bit of a vicious circle. Hopefully our country can recover. I was lucky- deployed to Bosnia as a young baggy back in 94! Thanks for sharing

Good no BS outlook on the current state of the defence force

Pay is definitely a factor now especially when things like inflation is getting right up and as the fella said. The pay hasn't kept up which a lot of my mates I joined up with are now leaving to civi street to get paid 20k+ more in the same job with less responsibility. As you said, private companies have come a long way with benefits, super, medical, unions, NZDF can't compete. LCPL, CPL's doing all the work, right on the money for fuck all of it while those at the top do very little, but rely on us. Over the last year, we've had 10+ full CPL's leave which is making my Job way harder while still expecting more on top because the amount of work, responsibility, management, training, etc, isn't worth it. The Sgt's will have to step up and do the Cpl's job at this rate. Unfortunately, i'll be the next one to join the bandwagon. It's unfair, stressful. It's too much. Oh and FYI, 1000 nzdf personnel have left since 2019 up until now, but hey, they won't publish that noteworthy information.

Nothing much has changed in the 40 yrs since I got out...

Bang on top heavy

Good stuff

Awesome korero!

Get Curtis Weeks on.

Get ritto on. Be a good yarn

Get scojo on

What are you allowed beards now?????

higher pay is not a substitute for increased tempo. and wtf does mfat have to do with operations. players just need water and oranges at half time. dafuq 😂😂😂