Originally Posted by jmc

No offence to anyone here, but I just dont like america and its culture. I went for a holiday there last year, and im sorry to say, I just didnt like it. I suppose its just because its alot different than where I come from.

Now to the matter at hand. Im still keen on being a crewman, despite everyones opinions. Its what I've wanted to do my whole life, but I've now got my doubts. I want to do that thing on the net were you speak to a serving UK soldier but its closed for the holidays

Umm its an intrigung choice, I dont agree with your call on the US my wifes family are career military and love it however I think it would be too much of a culture shock for a kiwi bloke. I think out of Australia and the UK I would go with Australia.

I think you need to be a bit passionate about things before you get into them, especially if you committ say 4 years or what ever the length of service your going into. Try a few other jobs in the civy world then if your still wanting to enlist go for it. The thing about the military is you don't get to pick which war you want to go to.

I think it is also beneficial to read a bit about it, books like About Face, Rumours of War, Once a Pilgrim, First into Action, Jarhead and the list goes on will help you to gain an insight into what can happen.

As for a crewman in an Aussie Abrams, it will be a while before they are deployed as they are new to us. However some crewmen have already been in the US training, and I suspect one reason we acquired them is that we can now deploy the tank crews into a US tank; and we don't need the heavy lift capability to deploy the physical tanks.

Anyway mate best of luck! To be in the Aussie Def force you'll have to be in the process of becoming a citizen of Australia.

Don't let the die hards scare you mate. Just join the reserves as a field engineer. Then, if you like it(and you will)go full time field engineer. Engineers see alot of deployments in peacetime, especially if you opt for plant operator. As for country, Australia is fantastic but the Kiwi engineers are the ****, especially when it comes to bridging. I don't know much about the UK military but the main fault i see there is having to put up with british people.

I had alot of people in my ear before i joined asking me if i was ready to go to war and die for my country etc... So at 17 i joined the reserves to check things out for myself. Loved it, never looked back.

In my opinion, I think you are joining up for the wrong reason. Most people join the army because they want to serve their country. They don't join up specificly to kill others.

Personally I think you should join any Army other than New Zealand's. Your posts are evidence of an immaturity that would make life extremely difficult for you from the day you set foot in The Army Depot.

Originally Posted by jmc

Hi

...but in the NZ army nothing too exciting happens (on the combat side of things)...

Where did you come by that conclusion? Personal experience? And yet you contradict yourself in your next post,

Originally Posted by jmc

...or UN peacekeeping type stuff?? As this is what im keen on.
So what are peoples opinions??

It seems to me, judging by your posts, that all you are interested in is doing whats best for you personally. You will find that attitude at odds with what the Army, ANY Army expects of you, not to mention those you serve alongside.

Rather than make definative statements about what is or isn't, based on an obvious lack of knowledge and ignorance, why don't you ask some intelligent, rational or at least thought out questions first?

removed

So you expect me to do something I dont enjoy in the army.

I have plenty of knowledge of what goes on in the NZ army, removed my father served for 12 years, and my older bro is in his 4th year up in waiouru

I want to travel, so I was just exploring other options.

mod edit: check your pm

In any Army you are going to do ALOT of stuff you don't enjoy, that is life in the Army regardless of whose flag is on your shoulder. Unfortunately your post has proven Ngati's assertion as to your immaturity and you've further shown yourself to be a racist. I would have to say that under your current MO your experience in uniform is going to be one of painful growth and I wish you luck.

A corporal from 3 RAR said he would run around the desert naked with a rifle if the army sent him on operations. Another corporal from 2CAV wants to go back to Iraq on second tour even after his first one extended. Why train for something you don't want to do?

I tell you one thing. If you want combat, DON'T say so when interviewed. I will be a M113 crewman for the Australian regular army soon (January 10th im at kapooka). I joined because i want to drive the things around and be a member of the black hats (There are more reasons but i cant be stuffed). The RAAC is a very respected corps. Make sure you are a decent swimmer as well.

Originally Posted by jmc

No offence to anyone here, but I just dont like america and its culture. I went for a holiday there last year, and im sorry to say, I just didnt like it. I suppose its just because its alot different than where I come from.

Now to the matter at hand. Im still keen on being a crewman, despite everyones opinions. Its what I've wanted to do my whole life, but I've now got my doubts. I want to do that thing on the net were you speak to a serving UK soldier but its closed for the holidays

It's hard too judge a country without living there for a number of year first.

Originally Posted by Aussienick

If you join as an Abrams crewman you probably wont, because we don't like to send them overseas. Too fragile

By fragile do you mean that there brand new and you don't have alot of parts and spare equiptment?