Short Service In Army Overseas

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30956, 12 January 1966, Page 3

Short Service In Army Overseas

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 11. National servicemen and territorials can now volunteer for short terms of service in South Vietnam or Malaysia.

The first ballot-selected servicemen and territorials to hear the announcement at Waiouru yesterday were enthusiastic.

Details of the provisions were included in several talks by officers, including Major B.

Boyd, district recruiting officer, of the Northern Military District.

Immediately after the announcement, four territorial officers and six other ranks volunteered for two years’ service overseas.

The new provision allows for soldiers who have completed 14 weeks of basic training (which includes national servicemen and territorials) to join the Regular Force on a two-year engagement, with a guarantee of one year with the Ist Battalion in Malaysia, or the battery in Vietnam.

Previously, soldiers have had to sign up for a minimum of three years—usually five to include overseas service.

The volunteers will be paid a wage comparable to that of Regular Force men overseas, and receive additional fringe benefits.

The age limit for overseas service was reduced recently in an attempt to maintain a strength capable of fulfilling New Zealand’s commitments overseas. The Army is 1000 men under strength. The Navy already has members of the Royal New Zealand Naval Reserve serving in the minesweepers Hickleton and Santon, in Malaysian waters.