Navy People: Meet Luke Bogan from Nurioopta

18 August 2010

Nurioopta’s Luke Bogan joined the Navy to see the world and now he’s doing just that.

He and his 190 shipmates aboard Navy frigate HMAS Parramatta are on counter-piracy and counter-terrorism patrol in Middle East waters.

It was Luke’s brother and sister that gave his career a kick-start. They had already joined the Australian Defence Force and, seeing the opportunities they had been given, Luke found the idea too good to resist.

Now a Lieutenant, Luke is the Assistant Marine Engineering Officer aboard Parramatta.

“I originally joined the Navy as an electronics weapons technician. Then the Navy sent me to RMIT to study a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and promoted me to Lieutenant,” Luke said.

“At sea my role varies considerably. I manage a group of sailors whilst they are posted to the ship. I ensure the ship complies with international environmental regulation. I’m the damage control instructor, maintaining the skills of the crew in fighting fires, floods and toxic hazards.

“If that wasn’t enough, I’m training to become a Marine Engineering Officer, which means more study, plus I’m a member of the ship’s boarding party.”

Life on HMAS Parramatta is not all hard work though.

“Socially we live and work with people from very diverse backgrounds,” Luke said.

“You’re never alone when you go to a port — it’s like going on holiday with 150 of your mates.”

This is Luke’s second deployment to the Middle East. He was onboard HMAS Arunta when it deployed in 2002.

“There is plenty of scope for you to grow, not only professionally, but also within yourself through the experiences you go through,” he said.

Once his current deployment is complete, Luke is looking forward to a well deserved break.

“I enjoy Dragon Boat racing and Outrigging, so I’m going to get back into doing some paddling and maybe get a couple of rounds of golf in.”