Long Military Lineage for Engineer
Flight Lieutenant (FLTLT) Beer Bains was inspired to join the Royal New Zealand Air Force by his grandfather, a retired officer from the Indian Army.
“My grandfather joined the Army while India was still under British rule so the culture and traditions he spoke of were very similar to those of the New Zealand Defence Force. I grew up on stories of military service, challenges and adventure,” he said.
FLTLT Bains follows the Sikh faith so knew that Sikhs and military service go back centuries.
After attending military boarding school in India for three years, FLTLT Bains moved to New Zealand aged 12. After high school, he studied electrical and electronics engineering at university, which allowed him to join the RNZAF as an engineering officer. He also furthered his education by studying for a master’s degree in software engineering in York, United Kingdom.
FLTLT Bains’ current role is staff officer, Technical Support Aeronautical Software at Base Auckland.
“It’s a perfect job which ticks a lot of boxes: technical/engineering, military service, active lifestyle, camaraderie and I get to work with highly motivated and well-trained people.
“My relatively short time in uniform has taught me many skills, which serve me well in all aspects of life. Joining the Air Force has been one of the best decisions I have made in my life.”
