Publication:Sea Talk Summer 2007/From mess to wardroom
By Annie Casey
Although the transition from sailor to officer in the RAN may not be smooth SBLT Arron Convery believes it’s well worth the effort.
Arron joined the Navy as a sailor in 1993 working in his chosen field of communications as a signalman. In 2001 the signalmen merged with the radio operations area changing the nature of his work to such an extent that he wasn’t achieving the same job satisfaction.
He had reached a fork in the road and at this point he considered leaving the Navy but after researching his options he found a new lease of life by looking in a different direction within the Service.
He recently made the transition from sailor to commissioned officer following an interest which he had always held - and the fact that his sailor performance appraisal reports (SPARS) identified him as a high performer.
Arron believes his new career - training to gain his bridge warfare certificate, which he aims to gain by late 2009 - will give him longevity in the Navy plus the prestige and other associated gains entailed with his new officer life.
“Some of my peers left the Navy thinking they wanted a new life and a new direction…thinking it will be better ‘outside’ - only to return a year or so later and they hadn’t progressed to the next level,” he said.
Arron advises: “Talk to people before making such a decision - talk to your divisional officer or career manager about fresh employment opportunities within Navy.
When the time came SBLT Convery had to decide between accepting a promotion to chief petty officer or pursuing the path of commissioned officer.
“You need to identify someone in your worksphere who can help you with a new stage of your career and assist you with making it happen,” he said.
He is very happy with his choice but acknowledges the initial transition from the the sailor’s environment to the officer’s world was a little awkward – a fact demonstrated by the differences between the environment of the sailors’ mess to that of the officer’s ward room.
SBLT Convery was informed of wardroom etiquette which he had been unaware of in his previous life as a sailor.
This was part of his two weeks training in the Warrant Officers and Senior Sailors Entry Officers Course (WOSSEOC) at HMAS Creswell. Another important aspect necessary when making the change from sailor to officer is having the support of family during that process. SBLT Convery, has a wife and three young children.
“My wife has been very supportive and committed to the initial four year phase of training,” He said.
Sailors interested in the rewards and challenges of becoming a naval officer should read ABR 10 Chaps 9 (WO) and 10 (sailors) plus speak to their divisional officer and officers from their chosen professional qualification. If you need further information then contact the dnop.ctac@defence.gov.au.
Additional information on the roles of CTAC can be found on the DSCM/DNOP webpage.
