Navy People: A desk job isn't for me
10 December 2010
A year ago, 24 year old former Inverell local and Macintyre High School graduate, Nicholas Austin, was studying economics at the University of New England, Armidale.
Nicholas decided that he wanted something a bit different than the regular desk job, so he successfully applied to become a Maritime Warfare Officer in the Royal Australian Navy; quite a ‘sea-change’ from economics.
Nicholas has just completed five months of training at HMAS Creswell, graduating form the Royal Australian Naval College on 2 December, ready to start the next part of his naval training.
“I moved to Australia from Korea when I was six months old. Part of my motivation for joining was that and I always wanted to give something back to this country. The other incentive for joining was to be in a work environment which was challenging and constantly changing,” Nicholas stated.
While Nicholas has been at HMAS Creswell, he has been able to gain experience in everything from survival at sea to boat work, leak stop and repair, firefighting and weapons training.
“Our training also involved leadership exercises and activities. I really enjoyed the exercises that we did out field which form the basis of our leadership training at Creswell. We were taught how to organise and manage teams of people using our own leadership styles to achieve set tasks.
“I also had the opportunity to travel to New Zealand and embark in HMNZS Canterbury. It was such a great experience to be able to work with the New Zealand crew and learn how their ships operate. Also, it was the first time that I had been to sea; I even got to drive the ship!
“I can’t wait to be out there in the fleet. At the start of next year I will begin the first part of my training to become a Maritime Warfare Officer. I am looking forward to going to sea to do my job.”
After some time over Christmas catching up with family and friends, Nicholas will begin his training as a Maritime Warfare Officer at HMAS Watson, Watsons Bay, Sydney, at the beginning of 2011.
As a trainee Maritime Warfare Officer, Nicholas will learn how to navigate a ship and manage the bridge team as the Commanding Officer’s representative.
blog comments powered by Disqus
