Gunner

As a Gunner, you will be part of a professional team dedicated to providing safe, accurate and timely fire support to troops.

Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery

You will be trained in all aspects of soldiering including Infantry tactics, driving and specialised Gunner trades such as:

Gunner Field

Operation and maintenance of the L119 Light Gun to ensure the right number of rounds hit the right target at the right time.

Signaller, RNZA

Responsible for communications within the RNZA by using the modern SINGARS radio system and maintaining ballistics computers.

Command Post Operator

Assists in producing firing data from a computerised system, enabling a gun to fire at the right time, with the right number of rounds and on the correct target.

Air Defence Operator

Operating the Mistral Very Low Level Air Defence System.

Post Initial Training

All gunners complete a two-week Regimental basic course. This gives a new gunner the skills to operate in a field battery, knowledge of human resource issues, history and traditions of the RNZA and familiarisation of artillery equipment.

Promotion

Once you have gained a suitable level of experience and demonstrated leadership potential, you will have the opportunity to progress through the Non Commissioned Officer Ranks. The first course you will do is a Junior Non Commissioned Officers course (JNCOs) which will foster and develop your leadership and instructional abilities in order to give you the skills to lead and train a small team of soldiers. In the Artillery a JNCO is known as a Lance-Bombardier or Bombardier, reflecting the role of the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery.

RNZA Bombardier Courses

Once you gain suitable experience as a Gunner and Lance-Bombardier you will have the opportunity to attend a two week Bombardiers course in your area of specialization. This will equip you with the skills to serve as a Gun Second in Command.

Further Promotion

Army Reserve members of the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery have the opportunity to rise to the rank of Warrant Officer, with promotion beyond Bombardier being dependent upon the attendance of further Trade and Promotion Courses. These include the Senior Non Commissioned Officers Course, Gun-Line Commanders Course and Warrant Officers Course.

Overseas

Army Reserve Gunners are not currently deployed in their primary role but are eligible to assume various appointments within other roles, utilizing the relevant skills which they have acquired in their primary trade. These include roles as Drivers, Signallers or Riflemen.