Reserve Combat Drivers,
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New Zealand Defence Force
Hiring for New Zealand Army

Reserve Combat Drivers

  • Posted 1mo ago
  • On Site
  • Part Time

Job Description

Closing soon - Apply now!


Reserve Military role


Be part-time of the action!


As a Combat Driver your skills keep the team moving, carrying personnel, supplies, and equipment wherever they’re needed. From motorbikes to heavy operational trucks, you’ll drive, operate, and maintain vehicles in all conditions—day or night, on highways or off-road—ensuring the team can deploy and operate effectively. You’ll receive specialist training, earn recognised driving and mechanical qualifications, and know that your expertise is critical to every mission’s success.


As a NZ Army Combat Driver you will operate all of our general service vehicles, from motorbikes through to articulated trucks. You will be a member of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistics Regiment (RNZALR), and within that you’ll operate in a Combat Service Support unit as part of a close-knit transport section (four to six vehicles).


You will be trained to operate your vehicle by day and night, in all weather conditions and terrain, from convoy driving on sealed state highways to tactical, off-road navigation. You will drive, operate, service and maintain your vehicles, gaining a range of licences, licence endorsements, and NZQA unit standards towards New Zealand Road Transport Industry National Certificates.


The New Zealand Army uses a huge variety of vehicles: motorbikes, cars, the Pinzgauer Light Operating Vehicle, the Unimog U1700L truck, the new technologically advanced family fleet of MAN Medium Heavy Operational Vehicles (MHOV,) and Heavy Equipment Transport (HET). You will be taught how to safely operate all these vehicles in all kinds of operational situations, such as passenger transport, distribution of supplies and hazardous goods transportation. You will also learn basic mechanic skills for operator servicing and routine maintenance.


Requirements

Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.

Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.

You will need a restricted Class 1 driver's licence and should have no traffic convictions. Any other licence is an advantage i.e. motorbike.

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 required CV security clearance for this trade.

Find out if you’re eligible here: https://www.defencecareers.mil.nz/how-do-i-join/am-i-eligible


Training overview

Initial training consists of three stages which equates to approximately 7 weeks of training. Module 1 (Introduction to the New Zealand Army and Reserve Force service) is conducted throughout the calendar year, with Module 2 (Basic Training) & Corps Training (Initial Trade Specific Coursing) taking place in November, December and January of a given year.


Module 1 (Introduction to the New Zealand Army and Reserve Force service) is conducted across New Zealand at specified times throughout the calendar year. This course is run in Auckland (Whangaparāoa Leadership Centre or RNZAF Base Auckland, Whenuapai), Wellington (Trentham Military Camp) or Christchurch (Burnham Military Camp). Your Candidate Engagement Facilitator will outline the intended MOD 1 location as part of your initial application to join the ResF.


Module 2 (Basic Training) is conducted at Waiouru Military Camp. This is a 38 day residential course, taking place across November, December and January of a given year (duration accounts for leave period over the Christmas and New Year period).


Corps Training (Initial Trade Specific Training) is a twenty day course broken down in to five modules, undertaken by both Reserve Combat Drivers and Reserve Supply Technicians.


MOD 1

MODULE 1 - Introduction to the New Zealand Army and Reserve Force Service

The purpose of this stage of training is to familiarise recruits with the Army, and Reserve Force service prior to their attendance at the Recruit Territorial Force All Corps Basic (Module 2 - Basic Training).


This is a two day introduction to life in the Army. Over this period, you will be attested into the New Zealand Army, learn the basics of drill and command, Military Law, the Ethos and Values of the NZ Army and the particulars of Reserve Force service. You will also be taught how to live and operate within the military environment and learn about the standards that are required of you as a soldier.


MOD 2

MODULE 2 - Basic Training

The aim of this course is to develop the individual skill set required of a soldier operating at a basic level of capability. This stage of training is a 38 day residential course conducted upon your arrival at Waiouru Military Camp.


During this stage of your training you will be introduced to:


  • Drill
  • First Aid
  • Operate and communicate utilising in-service communication systems
  • Introduction to the Individual Weapon, Modularised Assault Rifle System – Light (IW MARS-L) and light support weapon (LSW-C9)
  • Live firing on the range in order to qualify on the IW MARS-L Annual Weapons Qualification
  • Introduction to and qualification on the high explosive grenade


Living in a field environment, including:

  • patrolling procedures,
  • operating in a rifle section, and
  • fieldcraft and battlecraft
  • Introduction to Physical Training, including the Army Fitness Test, swim test and timed pack walk, and
  • A broadened understanding of military law, including “The Laws of Armed Conflict”
  • This stage of initial training concludes with a recruit's graduation from the NZ Army training establishment - The Army Depot. Recruits will graduate as a fully qualified soldier (rank of Private/Sapper/Gunner/Trooper/Signaller) in the NZ Army’s Reserve Force, ready to progress on to initial trade specific coursing.


Corps Training - Initial Trade Specific Coursing

Initial trade specific coursing differs across the various Army corps. The purpose of initial trade specific coursing is to provide personnel with the necessary basic trade specific skills required of their respective corps.


All personnel will continue to build on the foundational knowledge obtained through Basic Training, with trade specific and ongoing training continuing to refine outputs focused on operations within the combat battlespace. All personnel will train annually to maintain the tenets of the soldiering profession (Move, Shoot, Communicate and Medicate).


As a Reserve Combat Driver, you are required to complete the Logistics Operators Course.


This is a twenty day course, broken down in to five residential modules held in either Christchurch (Burnham Military Camp) or Palmerston North (Linton Military Camp).


Both Reserve Combat Drivers and Reserve Supply Technicians will gain an understanding of Logistics on the battlefield and become proficient in combat logistics procedures, tactical vehicle movement and operating vehicle communication equipment, creating synergy with the supply and transport aspects of the logistics function on combat and humanitarian disaster response operations.


During this course you will be introduced to and qualifying on an initial range of vehicle licenses, defence driving permits (DDPs) and endorsements. Both Reserve logistics trades will learn to comprehend the regulations for securing vehicle loads and will conduct vehicle navigation through all terrain.


After completing the Logistics Operators Course, Combat Drivers will then progress through the Reserve Force Transport trade to enhance their skills in tactical driver duties and to qualify on specialist Heavy Equipment Transport (HET) courses within their home unit.


Benefits & allowances

As a Reservist you are paid on an hourly rate rather than a salary. Pay rates depend on the role you are in and your rank; your pay will increase as you move through the ranks.


Salary & benefits

As an Army Reserve soldier, the minimum remuneration you will be paid is a daily rate, including holiday pay. The NZDF also pays 4% Kiwisaver on top of your personal contribution. Your remuneration will increase on promotion and seniority.


Benefits & Perks

  • 📈 Professional Development

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