Publication:Sea Talk Spring 2005/Next year - have a Long Look in the UK

By CPO Margaret Nason

The annual Long Look exchange of RAN personnel next year with a similar number of Royal Navy personnel is planned between mid Apr 06 and mid Aug 06.

A high profile and challenging exchange, it presents participants with an opportunity to work in a very different environment for four months.

Participants actually swap jobs with members of the RN and therefore work in areas appropriate to their rank/category.

The experience they gain, skills they bring home and personal networks they establish will not only improve RAN/RN interoperability but contribute to personal and professional growth - and you could have a good time too!

RAN units hosting RN personnel will also benefit from the contribution made by the incoming participants - providing a greater understanding of and improving our ability to operate with the RN.

Long Look is an unaccompanied exchange, participants will generally live in service accommodation and it often involves a sea posting - maybe a trip to the Mediterranean or the Bahamas!

Participants will be treated, in most respects, as a member of the RN.

If you have not participated in a previous Long Look exchange and are able to be spared without relief, other than the incoming RN personnel (that will be of similar rank/category), you should consider applying.

For more information, get a copy of the signal DSCM WHF/WAF 080343Z AUG 05 or sailors contact Staff Officer Long Look Coordination, CPO Margaret Nason (02) 62653311, fax (02) 62653353, e-mail navy.longlook@defence.gov.au. Officers should contact their DNOP desk officer. Nominations are required to reach Staff Officer Long Look Coordination by Oct 14 and personnel selected to participate will be advised by Feb 05.