Publication:Sea Talk Summer 2006/'Navy is fun,' says officer trainee SBLT Lauren Rago
'I wanted a challenging job and one that's also good fun.'
Fun, challenge and adventure are what attracted SBLT Lauren Rago to the Navy. Chased by TV crews from site to site over the course of a fortnight, the vivacious SBLT Rago gave snippets of her experiences in the RAN to date and revealed her enthusiasm for her work in the military.
By LCDR Mick Gallagher
"On Friday at 1600 it's muck up time and a bit of fun. My parents live in Canberra so I often visit them on the weekends," SBLT Lauren Rago told Kate Mellis of the Channel 9 TV crew that had been following her since 0630 that morning.
At the time she was undergoing training at historic HMAS Creswell on the southern side of Jervis Bay, NSW.
Lauren, who had joined the Reserves as a public relations officer, was now training as a PN seaman officer.
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Leadership skills
She had spent the previous night in a hootchie, along with other junior officers of Charlie Section, as part of a humanitarian relief exercise to develop leadership skills in a mentally and physically challenging environment.
"I woke up this morning with a half-eaten biscuit stuck to my face," she said, smiling as she emerged from her hootchie.
It was then that operations manager LEUT Mike Henry belted out his orders: "Charlie Section, you've got 30 minutes to get ready, pack your backpacks and march out."
Briefing the mission - '... transfer two medics across the ravine within 30 minutes'.
(left) Instructors check progress with one member of Charlie Section almost to the opposite bank.
(right) A second member of the section under way. Pics by LCDR Mick Gallagher.
The Nine Today Show camera team homes in on morning colours at the RAN College. Pics by ABPH Craig Owen.
The group had begun the exercise two days earlier at 0300 with a 12km forced march with pack, and was still in high spirits.
All carried the same size pack of about 20kg, irrespective of age, weight or height.
After breaking camp the group had, as the final part of the exercise, to cross a ravine and provide medical assistance to a village girl who had been bitten by a venomous snake.
Lauren acted as team leader.
"The object is to transfer two medics across the ravine," said POPT Dion McCrabb. "You have 30 minutes to complete the task."
After successfully completing the exercise, the members of Charlie Section returned to their quarters to change into dress of the day.
Next it was morning colours, where Lauren took the salute.
Then it was off to classroom instruction with the film crew in hot pursuit.
Sea time
SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO: Anzac frigate HMAS Stuart plunges through heavy seas when members of New Entry Officers' Course (NEOC) 33 were doing sea time.
Two weeks later Lauren was aboard the Anzac class frigate HMAS Stuart in Sydney Harbour for the filming of the Channel 9 Today Show, broadcast live from the ship to launch the new Navy Lifestyle website and promote the Navy before the Australian public.
Presenters of the show gave a comprehensive overview of conditions and life aboard a navy ship, interviewing many of ship's company during a 'viewers' tour' of the ship and her activities.
Among those interviewed was Lauren, enjoying her first day at sea after 12 weeks of training at HMAS Creswell.
The Today Show replayed her earlier adventures to the viewers.
"I'm really keen to get out there and see what's happening in the ships," Lauren told Today Show hosts Jessica Rowe and Karl Stefanovic.
'We're going to sea for one month ... and we've scored a ship to Cairns," said a jubilant Lauren.
'Navy life is not boring'
"We study a lot of different subjects and we do a lot of different activities to train to become an officer," she told the TV audience.
"It mainly revolves around leadership training - learning how to lead. We cover everything ...we do a lot of academic work and practical things. We play sport, do drill and ceremonial, firefighting and weapons firing. The list is huge of what we learn in six months."
"Never boring," said presenter Karl.
"Definitely not, it's good fun," answered Lauren.
Laura with Karl and Jessica.
Conditions aboard
Asked by Karl what Navy life was like being surrounded by so many blokes, Lauren replied: "It's like any other workplace. I don't even notice it. Within my division, who are the people I train with, it's just like having 13 brothers. I just don't notice at all."
"I hope you keep them in line," said Jessica.
"Certainly do," replied Lauren.
When asked about the amount of time spent away from home, Lauren said: "It definitely is an aspect that people consider but these days there are so many opportunities and systems that enable people to get home and stay in contact with their family and friends."
"I joined the Navy for quite a few reasons actually but mainly because I wanted a challenging job and one that's also good fun - because really it's an adventure.
"I guess the fact that everyone works so hard, it's a great group of people and you're doing something for your country. It's also a very rewarding job.
"I would like to command one day. That's my goal."
Ship's company mingle with Today Show personalities as cameramen prepare for the show finale. Pics by ABPH Brenton Freind.
