Navy People: Some days you have to get your hands dirty
12 October 2010
When you are a long way from home and your only way of getting back depends on the engines in your care then some days you have to get your hands dirty.
But it is that hands-on approach that drew Perth College graduate Kristin Norris to the Royal Australian Navy as an engineering officer.
Kirstin already sailed and loved the sea when she attended a careers expo. She became interested in engineering, and the next step was to find out where you can be an engineer, go to sea, travel, and get paid. It didn’t take long to find the answer.
Kirstin’s latest deployment is aboard frigate HMAS Warramunga for a four-month deployment to south-east Asia for exercises, and to take part in the re-enactment of the Korean War’s Inchon landings.
Kirstin was “cross decked” with a South Korean warship which meant she exchanged positions with a member of the ROK Navy for a day. “It was a fantastic experience as not only do you get to learn a lot about another Navy but also about another culture,” she said.
Another highlight: a live-fire exercise with the Chinese Navy — the first time a western warship had ever been asked to do such a thing.
“South Korea was an amazing mix of new and old; great food, great shopping and an amazing experience in visiting the Demilitarized Zone,” Kirstin said, “But watching the 5-inch gun fire along with the Chinese guns was awesome.”
Kirstin now has 18 months on-the-job training ahead of her, working towards her 1st level certification, but she is enjoying every minute of the challenge.
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