This is my reflection on my time with the NZDF while on Induction Camp and for the rest of 2021
One of the main reasons I had joined the Services Academy programme was to get a better understanding of the different roles the New Zealand Defence Force has to offer. I therefore searched the NZDF careers website for job information, I really like the idea of being a pilot in the New Zealand Royal Air Force. One of the things that I liked about the NZDF is that everybody is included and how each team member fits into the team with individual roles.
Leading up to Induction Camp we had three and half weeks at school learning how to march and conducting light runs, academic work and self management.
From our academic work we learnt about, teamwork, effective communication, self discipline and betterment, This was a different learning experience to what I was used to but It was definitely effective.
I knew that once we attended camp I would obtain a better understanding of how the Defence Force trains its new recruits and I didn’t really get to see what pilots do but I was given a little bit of information about the different things that the Air Force do.
When our academy attended camp with 11 other academies we all built a strong bond over this period, this helped a lot during the Team activities because we had more trust in each other.
At camp we were quickly introduced to military life, their routines, duties, roles and procedures. The camp was very challenging mentally and physically with every hour accounted for 0530 to 2200. Waking up early was a struggle for the first week and keeping still while standing with the whole platoon because I wasn’t able to maintain self discipline.
The benefits of joining the Academy and completing my work placement at the Army Base is now I have a much greater understanding on how the NZDF train their new recruits.
I will now like to join the NZDF in 2023 as a Pilot.