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Don't Think It Was Easy is a personal account of National Service Training at Waiouru by George Andrews. This account includes excerpts of actuality recorded during his 14-week training programme.
Begins with extra drill and actuality of C.B. orders being given to servicemen. Jock Halley, an Auckland architecture student comments on some of the enjoyable parts of service. Actuality of a 'playlet', a training demonstration of the wrong way to command a group of soldiers, supposedly in Vietnam, under attack from Viet-Cong.
Sergeant- Major Terry Wirita is heard putting troops through their drill with the aim being to get 100 men to move as one.
Actuality of the wet canteen - the bar, generally forbidden to officers and NCO's. Men over the age of 21 can drink beer there. Actuality of the men singing "Hoki mai".
Bush survival training actuality where the troops are taught about edible plants (cabbage tree, raupo) and how to survive out in the open.
A C.O. inspection where a soldier is told off about not having cleaned his rifle and a debrief after they have just spent two days on an intensive march.
Pete Cottier of Wellington is heard playing guitar and singing back in the barracks.
Actuality of George Andrews receiving a formal charge of breach of army regulations for turning up late for parade. Corporal McLeod is heard giving evidence.
An alternative is receiving "extra duties". Paul Castle is heard receiving extra duties for having an empty water bottle on parade.
John O'Leary explains the importance of keeping up morale while on National Service.
Actuality of rifle range practice is where more time is spent than anywhere else on the programme.
Marriage guidance classes which are taken by duty Padres which covers anything from relationships to hire-purchase agreements.
This account ends with summing up that the purpose of the army is to wage war, and at the end of the 14 weeks you return to civilian life with some idea of what war might be like.