|
|
Post by wolfcult on Aug 5, 2013 12:22:20 GMT 12
Good afternoon guys,
First time post, long time reader.
Has anyone here had a stint with the Navy reserves in NZ? I've applied for the Naval reserves to get a taste of Navy life to see if I wanna make a go of it in the Regular force as my Grandfather who recently passed was a long serving member of the Reserves here in Auckland, I had always wanted to do this since I was a kid going along with him to Ngapona and what not.. tis a shame I left it so late.. Anyway I was wondering what I could expect in the first year.. hell even the first assessments/tests.
I haven't practiced math without a calculator in as long as I can remember so I've been hunting around for basic stuff to jog my memory and I've been practicing like crazy, anything else I should do prior? my fitness is def. up to scratch as I'm already a regular gym attendee and runner.
Any information/tips'n'tricks will be appreciated haha..
Also, quick question, are the Navy still given berets? I've seen a handful of photos of people wearing em, but can't get a clear indication of who (rank/trade) gets em? My grandfather always wore his.
Cheers,
Jake.
|
|
|
|
Post by delticman on Aug 5, 2013 12:48:28 GMT 12
That's interesting, my father was a member while he was serving an apprenticeship with the NZGR at Otahahu in the mid thities. He always referred to the Reserve as the "Rockies". When he returned to Wanganui, he and his brothers became very involved with the local Sailing Club. The Three Brothers joined up in 1939 and my father and one brother were in the Railway Operating Group in Egypt. At one stage there was a need for tugboat captains, my dad drove a tug at Alexandra and my uncle, a tug boat at Trobuk.
|
|
|
|
Post by wolfcult on Aug 5, 2013 12:51:20 GMT 12
Wow, that's quite a job - my grandfather referred to them as the Rockies also!
|
|
|
|
Post by TS on Aug 5, 2013 14:04:47 GMT 12
OK I was in the Rockies for a while back in the early 80's. Now if I recall correctly we all had to do a full medical, fitness test but there where no theory tests to see if you are human (or not). The term Rockies came from the regular navy because we where on land more than at sea. As we are really only part time after all just like the territorial army. I was at HMNZS Ngapona we still had one of the last M.Ls which was pretty worn out to say the least but we all had a great time. We did two weeks basic training etc at HMNZS Tamaki, after that it was every Monday on parade and out on the M.L on weekends. My father was in the RNZN so he would always give me a bit of stick over the fact that I was a Rocky.  I have no idea what the requirements are today but I'm guessing that they won't have changed much.  Anyway join up and have fun plus enjoy your two weeks with the "real" navy once a year, it's a shame they don't have squirt anymore I used to save it up in a two litre coke bottle to share with Dad...  |
|
|
|
Post by wolfcult on Aug 5, 2013 14:42:58 GMT 12
OK I was in the Rockies for a while back in the early 80's. Now if I recall correctly we all had to do a full medical, fitness test but there where no theory tests to see if you are human (or not). The term Rockies came from the regular navy because we where on land more than at sea. As we are really only part time after all just like the territorial army. I was at HMNZS Ngapona we still had one of the last M.Ls which was pretty worn out to say the least but we all had a great time. We did two weeks basic training etc at HMNZS Tamaki, after that it was every Monday on parade and out on the M.L on weekends. My father was in the RNZN so he would always give me a bit of stick over the fact that I was a Rocky. I have no idea what the requirements are today but I'm guessing that they won't have changed much. Anyway join up and have fun plus enjoy your two weeks with the "real" navy once a year, it's a shame they don't have squirt anymore I used to save it up in a two litre coke bottle to share with Dad... Yeah, sounds familiar to what I've been reading on the net - I'll keep up my training and math practice. Really looking forward to it. Squirt? rum? you've lost me haha. Any idea re: the beret? are naval personnel given these still? or was this perhaps something he held onto for a while? Cheers again for getting back to me. |
|
|
|
Post by TS on Aug 5, 2013 14:56:19 GMT 12
Hey no probs Yep Rum is squirt As for the beret all ranks had one but again have no idea if they still have them. We wore them with our general fatigues and when we where with the Territorials. But the main head gear is the good old flat white hat...  P.O's and up had the officer type hats and the rank is clearly indicated on the front of the hats or on the shoulders if an officer and upper arm if a lower rank (below decks) The stripes are not for corporal etc but for each 4 years in the Navy. |
|
|
|
Post by wolfcult on Aug 5, 2013 15:27:20 GMT 12
Hey no probs Yep Rum is squirt As for the beret all ranks had one but again have no idea if they still have them. We wore them with our general fatigues and when we where with the Territorials. But the main head gear is the good old flat white hat... P.O's and up had the officer type hats and the rank is clearly indicated on the front of the hats or on the shoulders if an officer and upper arm if a lower rank (below decks) The stripes are not for corporal etc but for each 4 years in the Navy. Ahhhh, cheers for clearing that up. Will soon find this all out granted I pass on the 21st of this month! haha |
|
|
|
Post by phil on Aug 5, 2013 19:34:12 GMT 12
Yes, they do still have berets. Off the top of my head I can't recall exactly what dress it is worn with, but it is still definitely a service head dress still.
|
|
|
|
Post by ngatimozart on Aug 5, 2013 22:06:14 GMT 12
I thought they wore the baseball caps now instead of the berets. The beret was worn with the No 8s, Action Working Dress when I was in the RNZNVR in 1990s. If they still have berets I'd love one as my kids lost my one. Ok wolfcult, the RNZNVR has changed in the last 15 years with none of the Divisions having a ship anymore so all sea time is done on a regular boat when time and space are available. If you are looking at a seagoing branch then you will need to find some way of keeping your skills up. You need to go have a word with the recruiting officer as apparently it is done through them now. The fitness test is different and it is done by beeps. You have to run the length of a flight deck repeatedly and to a recorded rythm and they increase the speed of the rythm. This is done to a set time. The recruiting officer should be able to give you a copy of the CD. I can't remember the name they call it. All training is done at Philomel now and is still two weeks. Part of the training will be two days two nights at Whangaporoa doing live firing and other assorted skills. I spent my time at HMNZS Pegasusandof course we were the best Division in the RNZN.
Basic training. First thing it is where you learn the navy way of doing things. We started at 0525 with "wakey wakey" and straight into half hour of PT or a run. Then shit, shower, lash & stow (tidy up clean kit bedspace and barracks). That was followed by scran (meal, food) then parade and inspection in the dress of the day. The GIs (Gunnery Instructors) nit picked and everybody got pulled up on something. Irish pennants (threads) are a no no. After that therewas istruction until stand easy (smoko) at 10:00. Another period of instruction until scran around midday then after scran same set up for afternoon. Instruction finished around 16:30 and then scran at17:00. Then back to barracks for kit cleaning and barracks cleaning for Officer of the Day inspection at around 19:00. You didn't want anything out of place because if the Officer of the Day picked up something the GIs would go NATO. After that it was dhobying (your laundry)and we had to doours by hand. Use of the machines was forbidden. Ironing uniforms with the requisite number of creases in exactly the right places, laying out your kit in the kit lockers as per the regulations,learning stuff like practicing the bosuns pipe etc., and lights out around 10:00 or 10:30.
Every day was different and at the time could be a bit stressfull but when I look back at it, had great fun. When the GIs question your parentage etc., don't take it personal as it is just them getting you all to work as a team and while some things might seem pointless there is a reason however obscure. It is about teamwork and getting you to respond to a command without thinking. Keep your eyes and ears open and you trap shut. Don't volunteer for anything because it will probably be a shit detail. Pay real close attention to your instructors, instructions and no question is a stupid question especially around sea survival, damage control and weapons training. Learn the navy language specially the watch system. Know your ports and starboards, left and rights. Red is port; green is starboard. Never call a leading hand or senior rating Sir; they work for a living. Warrant Officers are GOD. If they have straight stripes on their cuffs of shoulder boards salute them. They will be officers. Most importantly enjoy your time. You will meet heaps of good people and make lifelong friends. You will do things that not a lot of other people get to do. Have fun.
|
|
|
|
Post by wolfcult on Aug 6, 2013 8:28:44 GMT 12
Yes, they do still have berets. Off the top of my head I can't recall exactly what dress it is worn with, but it is still definitely a service head dress still. Haha, off of the top of your head? unintentional pun? I noticed on the 'Royal New Zealand Navy' facebook they had a whole bunch of recruits that were wearing em so I guess they must still be around. Much appreciated Ngati, probably the best advice I could've asked for! I'll keep up with my running and math practice before the exam and give it my all.. The only thing I'm even slightly apprehensive over now is how I'm going to pull myself away from my 10-month old son to go on some kind of deployment! but I'm definitely excited at the prospect. |
|
|
|
Post by ngatimozart on Aug 6, 2013 20:55:53 GMT 12
My pleasure.
|
|
|
|
Post by meo4 on Aug 11, 2013 20:13:54 GMT 12
With the RNZN beret it's worn with either GWDs general working dress or 4HB Half blues . The beret badges depend on the rank of the Sailor eg no badge for ordinary rates figure of eight for able rates etc. www.navy.mil.nz/know-your-navy/uniforms/srgeneral/sr-general-gwd.htmGood luck with the reserves in a couple of years with your task book completed and sufficient sea experience you be eligible for promotion to able rate . There are plenty of opportunities out of branch eg Ships divers or with the new seasprites coming online in next few years you will be eligible to apply for a NASB. Naval aircrew. Selection board if you want to join the helicopter crewman trade. |
|
|
|
Post by wolfcult on Aug 12, 2013 8:36:32 GMT 12
With the RNZN beret it's worn with either GWDs general working dress or 4HB Half blues . The beret badges depend on the rank of the Sailor eg no badge for ordinary rates figure of eight for able rates etc. www.navy.mil.nz/know-your-navy/uniforms/srgeneral/sr-general-gwd.htmGood luck with the reserves in a couple of years with your task book completed and sufficient sea experience you be eligible for promotion to able rate . There are plenty of opportunities out of branch eg Ships divers or with the new seasprites coming online in next few years you will be eligible to apply for a NASB. Naval aircrew. Selection board if you want to join the helicopter crewman trade. Hey cheers for the reply and for the kind words - test is in 8 days so I'm running my ass off and trying to get in as much math preparation as possible.. I'm extremely nervous haha.. Cheers again for clearing the beret question up, I hadn't seen any recent photos of naval personnel wearing berets.. is it a choice kinda thing as in whether to wear or even to be given one? or are the baseball esque caps more preferred by CO's and what not? |
|
|
|
Post by wolfcult on Aug 22, 2013 8:24:28 GMT 12
Well, A-Day been and gone, passed on all accounts.. got accepted for the SCS (Seaman Combat Specialist) role and am currently awaiting details for my interview in the next 48-hours!
Really enjoyed the day to be honest, the fitness test was a blast.. nothing like being assessed to make you give it your all!
Cheers again for everyones advice, it was very helpful for me to create an overall picture of what I'd be doing and I really appreciate it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 22, 2013 12:37:49 GMT 12
When you get in, spread the word around about the forum. Others may find it interesting and useful too. Cheers.
|
|
|
|
Post by wolfcult on Aug 22, 2013 12:58:10 GMT 12
When you get in, spread the word around about the forum. Others may find it interesting and useful too. Cheers. Still an interview to go, so IF I get in ! but yes! will do - very good resource. |
|
|
|
Post by ngatimozart on Aug 22, 2013 17:44:40 GMT 12
Well, A-Day been and gone, passed on all accounts.. got accepted for the SCS (Seaman Combat Specialist) role and am currently awaiting details for my interview in the next 48-hours! Really enjoyed the day to be honest, the fitness test was a blast.. nothing like being assessed to make you give it your all! Cheers again for everyones advice, it was very helpful for me to create an overall picture of what I'd be doing and I really appreciate it. Well done and you picked the right branch  good luck with the interview. |
|
|
|
Post by wolfcult on Aug 23, 2013 14:32:33 GMT 12
Well, A-Day been and gone, passed on all accounts.. got accepted for the SCS (Seaman Combat Specialist) role and am currently awaiting details for my interview in the next 48-hours! Really enjoyed the day to be honest, the fitness test was a blast.. nothing like being assessed to make you give it your all! Cheers again for everyones advice, it was very helpful for me to create an overall picture of what I'd be doing and I really appreciate it. Well done and you picked the right branch good luck with the interview. Hey thanks, really appreciate the support! SCS looked to be the most hands on and with the most variety - large focus on weapons and ship husbandry. Really looking forward to it! gonna keep up my running and study up until the intake so that I'm prepared as hell. Cheers again everyone, really appreciate it. |
|
|
|
Post by baz62 on Aug 23, 2013 16:20:37 GMT 12
Good on you wolfcult. Keep as updated with how you get on when you can too.  |
|
|
|
Post by wolfcult on Aug 23, 2013 16:25:39 GMT 12
Good on you wolfcult. Keep as updated with how you get on when you can too. Cheers! certainly will |
|
good luck with the interview. 
