Navy People: From Vincentia to the Bottom of the Sea
23 August 2011
Vincentia local Wade Oldfield was amongst 116 Australians who recently graduated as Midshipmen, junior officers in the Royal Australian Navy.
The Governor General, Her Excellency Quentin Bryce, AC, reviewed the graduation parade while proud family and friends watched-on from the stands.
It marked the end of 22 weeks of training at the Royal Australian Naval College, HMAS Creswell, during which the graduates were instructed in leadership, seamanship, naval history, physical fitness and weapons handling.
The new officers will now move on to their specialisations which include Aviation, Training, Engineering, Maritime Warfare, Supply, Medical and Dental.
Midshipman Oldfield, who completed high school at the Shoalhaven Anglican School in 2009, has his sights firmly set on a future career in submarines as an ‘astronaut of the deep’. It’s certainly true that Collins Class submarines are widely regarded as the most complex machine since the space shuttle.
HMAS Creswell’s Commanding Officer, Captain Jaimie Hatcher, said, “It is a very proud day for them, their families and also the staff of HMAS Creswell. We wish them well in the challenges ahead, as they bid to become the future leaders of the Royal Australian Navy.”
Wade says his younger sisters Lacey, 17, and Mandy-Lee, 16, inspired him to join the Navy.
“Their involvement in Navy cadets sparked my interest and I’m glad it did,” he said
‘I now have a very unique job in a dynamic environment. I’m excited!”
Wade is now in Sydney for the next phase of his training.
