Navy People: A career to travel the world with
10 December 2010
Former Gawler local Samuel Laidlaw is about to embark on a new career which could take him all around the world.
Samuel has just completed five months of officer training at the Royal Australian Naval College with his sights set on becoming an Aviation Warfare Officer in the Royal Australian Navy.
Samuel completed high school at Trinity College in 2008. At school he competed in athletics and AFL and he was also a member of the South Gawler Football Club. In 2009 he spent some time working as a labourer and had a part time job at a local petrol station before applying for the navy.
“I joined the navy as I really wanted a career in aviation. The training and experience that you get in the navy was just such a great opportunity.
“I have really enjoyed the training here at HMAS Creswell and making new friends. We also got to go to HMAS Cerberus (Mornington Peninsula) for our weapons training for two weeks. It was good to experience living on another base.
The New Entry Officer Course Samuel has just graduated from, gives all new officers in the navy the fundamental qualifications and experience they will need to enter the fleet as junior leaders.
“Our training involved various types of leadership exercises varying in length from a few hours to days. We were trained how to manage teams of people using our own leadership styles to achieve goals.
“We also learnt about damage control on ships, such as fire fighting and leak stop and repair, naval history, boat work and seamanship. The best thing was that we were always learning something different.
“I can’t wait for the next part of my training to start. Mid next year I will begin my training to become an Aviation Warfare Officer. When qualified as an Aviation Warfare Officer I will be responsible for communications, navigation and weapons for the helicopters.”
Samuel is looking forward heading home to Gawler for the Christmas period for some time off and to spend time hanging out with family and friends.
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