Aircraftman Woodhouse has traded a nine-to-five at a Blenheim winery for the Air Force, following her brother and parents into service while insisting the decision was her own.

The Blenheim local has spent the past three months at RNZAF Base Woodbourne with about 60 recruits, learning weapons handling, drill, and the basics of military life. She called it a “complete 180 in lifestyle,” saying the shift from civilian routine to strict training was immediate.

A highlight was the week at Dip Flat, the training ground at the top of the Wairau Valley where recruits run night patrols, quick-fire responses and vehicle searches in a field environment. “I’m quite an outdoorsy person so it’s nice to get out of the classroom and into the action,” she said. “I have also learnt a lot about backing myself… they make sure you are confident in participating.”

Woodhouse’s route to the RNZAF wasn’t linear. After finishing school, she spent a year at Victoria University studying French and Classics, then taught waterskiing in the United States over two summers before returning to work at a local winery. She also made ceramics she sold at the market. “It was really my brother that piqued my interest in the New Zealand Defence Force,” she said. “I applied without telling my parents, and eventually told them when I got accepted. My parents didn’t push me — they believe the Air Force should only have people who really want to be there.”

After graduating next week, she will complete trade training at Woodbourne as an Air Warfare Specialist before moving to Base Ohakea later this year. In that role she will fly on the P-8A Poseidon, processing and analysing information to support surveillance flights. “I’m really interested in helping out in the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response work the NZDF does,” she said.

For now, her focus is on the parade. “I’m looking forward to having my family there — there will be a few tears for sure.”