Gunner (Combat Specialist)

Skip to section:

About the role Career progression and training Salary and benefits Entry requirements

In the heart of the action, you will provide the indirect fire support for the NZ Army as part of a team operating the 105mm light gun.

Service Army Specialisation Combat Location Linton Starting Trade Training $64,177

About the role

For future intakes, you will join the Army as a Combat Specialist and operate in a range of different environments. You will be introduced to the strategy and skills for combat, before branching into Gunner, Infantry or an Armoured soldier towards the end of basic training.

As a Gunner you will become a soldier within the Royal Regiment of the New Zealand Artillery (RNZA), a Corps with a long and proud history.

You will be part of the Unit that provides and directs a wide range of fire support for our Defence Force. In the Artillery you not only have the opportunity to operate the L119 Light Gun and L16 Mortar, our large calibre indirect fire weapons that support combat operations, but you could also direct fire support from helicopters, aircraft and naval vessels.

You will train in the combat and technical skills required to deliver direct and indirect fire, which we call ‘Offensive Support’. This means more than just firing artillery barrages to suppress a threat – it means protecting the force, coordinating military fire-power, gathering information, illuminating the battlefield, and identifying targets.

The L119 Light Gun is a sophisticated and complex weapon system. You could be a part of a highly skilled, tight-knit gun detachment consisting of seven personnel that can be transported a number of ways, including in the in service operational vehicle of a medium lift helicopter. The L16 Mortar is a lightweight man-portable weapon system, requiring you to operate in small teams under tactical conditions, either with a vehicle, on foot or infiltrated by helicopter.

Another stream within the Gunner trade you can take is the Command Systems Operator. This where you will be part of a team, who are located close to the weapon systems, receiving and predicting radio and digital target information using specialist equipment to compute the data. This information is then transmitted to the guns and mortars ensuring they provide accurate fire on the correct target at the correct time.

Alternatively, you can train within the Targeting stream. This stream of the Gunner trade operates in a small team environment of six personnel that are usually located with the forward most Infantry elements; finding, observing and directing artillery fire onto a target via radio and digital communication suites.

Job on base

Whilst in camp you will conduct training, routine equipment maintenance and other unit tasks. Your training will cover soldiering, weapons, tactics, communications, leadership and driving. Being a Gunner is a physically demanding role so expect to continue to develop your physical fitness, and there are regular opportunities to play sport.

Within the Gunner trade you will specialise in weapons, targeting or command systems. Your tasks will vary from loading and firing the L119, driving LOVs to tactically manoeuvre your weapon detachment, using specialist equipment to compute firing data, using specialist equipment to gather meteorological data, or setting up observation posts and calling in fire from land, air and naval weapon systems.

You can expect to train extensively in New Zealand, and we conduct overseas training exercises with our allied militaries in Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, UK and USA.

Job on deployment

Gunners are deployed overseas whenever the need arises, if not in a purely artillery role, then in infantry and liaison type roles where you can still put your artillery skills to good use. There is also potential to be deployed in support of humanitarian or disaster relief operations both here in New Zealand or around the Pacific.

Over the last 20 years Gunners have deployed on operations in Bosnia, East Timor, Egypt, Afghanistan, and the Solomon Islands. Tasks can range from establishing and maintaining cordons in a civil defence situation, such as the recent Christchurch earthquakes, to conducting force protection patrols or calling in air support in high-threat environments, such as in Afghanistan.

Once we get into position the guns will come into action which means they’re ready to fire.

Play video

Career progression and training

Career Progression

Basic Training

Job Training

Ongoing Training

As you progress in your career you will cross train within the weapons, command systems and targeting specialisations, so expect to develop into a leader with a strong knowledge of indirect fire support.

As you successfully complete your trade courses and gain experience, you’ll progress into leadership roles such as:

Weapon detachment commander – where you are responsible for firing the gun or mortar, maintaining the weapon system, and managing detachment crew members.Command systems Sergeant – where you are responsible for voice and data communications, computation of firing data, management of technical equipment, and managing command post crew members.Forward observers assistant – where you are responsible to the Forward Observation Officer for the adjustment of weapons systems to deliver targeted firepower, coordination of different fire support missions, maintaining all the technical equipment, and managing team members.

Upon successful enlistment into the Army you will be posted to Waiouru Army base. Here you will do 16 weeks of basic military training to find out if you have what it takes to be in the Army, and learn various subjects including:

Organisation and Administration
Army Customs and ProtocolDrill and ParadesMilitary Field Skills and Weapon TrainingFirst AidPhysical Fitness

Towards the end of this course, you will branch into the Gunner, Infantry, or Armoured trade, depending on the best match for your skills, personal preference and spaces available.

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND ARTILLERY (RNZA) CORPS TRAINING

(5 Weeks) Location: Linton Military Camp (near Palmerston North)

This course introduces the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to be employed within an Offensive Support Battery. This course is both physically and mentally challenging. It covers the essential basic trade competencies for Artillery (Gunner) so that you can function within an operational unit. You will then receive specific trade training within either of the three streams of the Gunner Trade model.

You will continue to improve your physical fitness and learn combat first aid and casualty evacuation, navigation, and how to operate military communications equipment.

WEAPONS

(7 Weeks) Location: Linton Military Camp

This is usually the first specialist course you will complete. You will be taught the necessary skills to perform as Gunner employed in a Weapons role, which includes being able to:

Operate the L119 Light GunOperate the L16 MortarIdentify Offensive Support Ammunition

COMMAND SYSTEMS

(6 Weeks) Location: Linton Military Camp

During this course you will be taught the basics of gunnery, ballistics, and how to competently perform a Command Systems role, which includes being able to:

Operate the in-service Indirect Fire Prediction ComputerOperate the in-service military communications equipmentGather, analyse and operate meteorological data and systems

TARGETING

(6 Weeks) Location: Linton Military Camp

On this course you will learn to operate independently in a forward position on the battlefield, providing intelligence and calling in fire missions when required. On completion of this course you will be able to:

Operate targeting equipmentSupport fire missionsOperate in-service military communications equipmentEstablish and maintain an observation post

Salary and benefits

Careers in the Army are well-rewarded, diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, your salary will rise accordingly.

$50,597

Under Initial Training

$64,177

Starting Trade Training

$120,171

Future Potential Earnings

Figures updated on July 1st 2023

Benefits and allowances

Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.

In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:

Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae

Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels

Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases

Opportunities to travel

Free and subsidised medical and dental care

Subsidised food and accomodation on camps and bases

Free and subsidised insurance cover

Help to buy a home and save for retirement

Entry requirements

Basics

Education

Fitness and Medical

Citizenship

Period of Service

You must be at least 17 years of ageMeet the citizenship and security requirements to gain CV security clearance for this trade

3 years secondary school.

Note, that qualifications may be used to assess trade suitability.

You must be medically fit for service.Colour perception restrictions apply.

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required SV security clearance for this trade.

Find out if you’re eligible here.

There may be a return of service period for this trade.

Please contact our 0800 number or talk to your Candidate Experience Facilitator for more information.

Ready to start your Army career?

Find your F.I.T

Other jobs you might like

You can also browse jobs by specialisation to narrow down your search.

View Role

Infantry (Combat Specialist)

Army | Combat

View Role

Armoured (Combat Specialist)

Army | Combat Back to top

---