Only Indian in his intake, 19-year-old looks ahead to Army career

For 19-year-old Dev Berry, graduating from New Zealand Army basic training was the culmination of a goal he had carried since his school days.

Born in New Delhi and raised in New Zealand from a young age, Berry recently completed the Army's 13-week Basic Training course at Waiouru Military Camp, beginning on March 13 and graduating on June 12. The experience, he says, was unlike anything he had encountered before.

"It was a great experience and something completely new for me," Berry said.

The course tested recruits physically and mentally, exposing them to the demanding realities of military life while teaching discipline, teamwork and resilience. For Berry, the journey carried an added distinction, he was the only Indian recruit in his intake.

"Everyone was welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of different cultures and backgrounds," he said, adding that the supportive environment helped him settle into camp life quickly.

Joining the Army had been a long-held ambition. Throughout high school, Berry spent countless hours watching military documentaries and Army training series online, developing a fascination with military life and the values it represented.

He was particularly drawn to the discipline, teamwork and sense of purpose associated with service.

"I wanted to challenge myself while contributing to something bigger than myself," he said.

Life at Waiouru followed a strict and highly structured routine. Days started early and were filled with physical training, military lessons, drill exercises, weapon handling, field exercises and practical activities designed to prepare recruits for service.

The demanding schedule required discipline and strong time-management skills, particularly when fatigue began to set in.

"The routine helped build good habits and taught me how to stay organised and focused even when tired or under pressure," Berry said.

Among the challenges he encountered were long days in the field, digging defensive positions and spending extended periods in them while coping with unpredictable weather and limited comfort.

"There were also times when I was pushed outside my comfort zone both physically and mentally," he said.

Support from fellow recruits and instructors played a key role in helping him navigate those moments.

As a vegetarian, Berry also faced unique considerations during training. Military chefs prepared special vegetarian meals throughout the course and, while some meals were more successful than others, he appreciated the efforts made to accommodate his dietary requirements.

He noticed that keeping up with the calorie demands of intensive training could sometimes be more difficult than it was for recruits who consumed meat.

"With the amount of exercise and activity involved, I was often burning more calories than I was eating," he said, noting that he lost some weight during the course.

Despite this, Berry says he never experienced issues with nutrition planning and felt well supported by the Army's catering arrangements.

Completing the course reinforced several lessons that he believes will stay with him throughout his military career.

"My biggest takeaway is the importance of resilience and teamwork," he said.

"Basic training showed me that you are capable of much more than you think when you stay determined and work together with the people around you."

He also credits the experience with strengthening his confidence and teaching him the value of persevering through difficult situations.

Among his strongest memories is watching a diverse group of strangers transform into a close-knit team.

"Although we all arrived as individuals, we left as a close-knit group that had shared challenges, achievements, and experiences together," he said.

For Berry, marching out on graduation day alongside his fellow recruits was a proud and emotional milestone, one that symbolised months of hard work, determination and personal growth.

Having successfully completed basic training, he is now preparing for the next stage of his military journey as a Combat Driver in the New Zealand Army.

"I am excited to keep learning, developing new skills, and contributing to the team," he said.