Publication:The Trade December 2003/Queue grows for peek into submarine life
By SBLT Tim Slater
MORE sailors and officers are considering a career in Collins class submarines following a renewed campaign, started early this year, to highlight the benefits and attractions of being part of the navy's elite Silent Service. A team comprising CPOETSM Jamie Robinson, LEUT Robert Ratkovic and WOAWASM Paul Woodhams is giving people throughout the fleet, in other services and in civilian life a better idea of what life is like underneath the waves.
The team has refined a two-pronged strategy of setting up a submarine presentation team that tours the country and also runs regular Enhanced Selection Process (ESP) courses for people eager to "try before they buy" into submarine service.
CPO Robinson said the main factors that attract people to submarines are the camaraderie or esprit de corps and the opportunity to assume a high level of responsibility at a relatively young age and rank.
" They can see that we are a small community of about 500 personnel and they can see the way we integrate is just something that is unseen within the actual naval organisation and everyone notices it," CPO Robinson said. " Another thing is the actual equipment that we work on, everyone is responsible at a young age at a junior level. " As a young AB straight away you're given that sense of responsibility and you've got a sense of pride within yourself that you feel that you are not just a number. " You are a very important part of the submarine's everyday activity." Other factors that contribute to the attraction of submarine service, according to CPO Robinson, are posting stability and the WA lifestyle. " People can set their family up here and they know they won't have to move until they're quite a significant way into their career," he said. And the pay isn't bad either, although CPO Robinson said most people regarded the higher pay as a bonus to the other benefits of submarine service. Able seamen serving at sea on a submarine get a starting pay rate of $62,000, compared to ABs serving on a surface ship who get a starting pay rate of about $50,000.
Junior lieutenants on submarines get $74,000 compared to $62,000 for surface ships.
The submarine presentation team was given a new lease of life this year after the number of people taking part in ESPs had declined over the past couple of years. The team obtained a new kit of promotional items including display boards and a brand new submarine promotional video and hit the road.
Their main destinations this year have been HMAS Cerberus, Watson and Creswell, targeting new entry sailors and officers doing category training. " We give them an insight on how to get onto an ESP because the word is not out there," CPO Robinson said.
2003 has been a good year for increasing the awareness and interest in submarines with 396 people expressing an interest in getting onto an ESP course and 57 going on to register for a course. Of that number, 30 have since started a submariner course or are about to do so.
" That's quite a significant figure which shows the submarine presentation team has worked very well," CPO Robinson said. He said the rejuvenation of the team has been the key to increasing the numbers of people doing ESP courses. " Previously there was not enough feedback or promotional work and we were not targeting the correct places," he said. " Once you are out in the fleet its very hard to come off the ships. " Now we are targeting the schools before they make their way to the fleet." The team has also carried out promotional activities at a number of career expos around Australia and advertises its services in Army and RAAF media. First developed in the late 1990s, the ESP's are a no obligation one-week course held at Fleet Base West. " It doesn't mean that just because you are doing the ESP you are a volunteer for submarines," CPO Robinson said.
But everyone who wants to get into submarines has to take part in an ESP. The course comprises a range of activities including having a medical at the Submarine Escape Training Facility and going down to a simulated depth of 20 metres in a recompression chamber. The students attend a range of lectures outlining security, submarine categories and duties and responsibilities.
Other highlights of the ESP include a visit to the WA Maritime Museum to learn about WA's rich submarine history and visit the HMAS Ovens to gain an appreciation of the different living and working conditions of the former Oberon and current Collins classes. Students are also given a tour of a Collins class submarine and take in the sights of Fremantle and local areas.
For further details about the ESPs phone CPO Robinson on (08) 9553 3692 or log onto: stsc_w_cbt1.navy.gov.au
What do some of the students on a recent ESP at Fleet Base West think about the course and a future in the submarine service?
JOB satisfaction and being part of a tight-knit crew are two of the main reasons Midshipman Arthur Jagiello wants to become a submariner. MIDN Jagiello joined the navy as a seaman officer at the start of the year after serving for eight years as a private in the army, four in the infantry and four as a cargo specialist.
It was while he was posted to HMAS Kanimbla last year as part of the ship's army department working in East Timor that he "saw the light" and decided he wanted to join the navy and become a submariner. " Talking to ex-submariners on HMAS Kanimbla I found out about submarine life and the regrets they had when they left," MIDN Jagiello said. " They miss the camaraderie that they had submarines because everyone is so close-knit."
MIDN Jagiello has recently completed SEAC Phase II and was about to do two-month exchange with the Korean Navy after taking part in a recent ESP course at Fleet Base West. While he is committed to a submarine career, MIDN Jagiello intends to complete his bridge warfare certificate to get to know how "skimmers" think. " I want to get that grounding knowledge and experience to make a smoother transition into submarines for me," he said. He said the ESP had provided a realistic overview of what submarine life would be like "You get a lot of responsibility and a lot of job satisfaction and that's the part I love, the job satisfaction." " You get the responsibility at the start, you don't have to wait 10-15 years before someone gives you some responsibility." Tasmanian sailor SMNMT Simon Bonney always wanted to be a submariner and decided to take part in the ESP to find out more about serving with what he called the "most prestigious arm of the navy". " I joined the navy with the intention of becoming submariner," SMN Bonney said. "The ESP course is an excellent indication, they give you a really good insight to the conditions and what sort of extra training you have to do." Originally from Tasmania, SMN Bonney said he would welcome a move to sunny WA and already has family living in the State. He suggested anyone interested in submarine service should get on an ESP course. " I would recommend them to come over and have a look, it's well worth it," he said. Having a look around HMAS Waller was the highlight of SMN Bonney's week, that and having a look at HMAS Ovens at the WA Maritime Museum in Fremantle. " We got a bit of an insight into what the old submariners had and what we've got now," he said. Working with a close-knit crew also appeals to SMNMT Shane Hones who got a lot from the course. " It gives you a good insight into what is required to be a submariner and what the life is like and the jobs you have to do," SMN Hones said. " The course has been good, especially being able to get on a submarine and have a look around, that's been the best part for me." ABMT Peter Barron has been fascinated with submarines ever since he was a youngster. " I've had mates that have been in subs before," he said.
" I want to go straight to subs if I can." The highlights of AB Barron's week were seeing the two different submarines up close and personal and having a look around the SETF. " I'm really looking forward to going through that," he said.
SMNMT Shane Hones looks through HMAS Waller's periscope while ESP instructor LSETSM Rodney Murakami looks on.
MIDN Arthur Jagiello takes the helm at the manoeuvring control console under the watchful eye of POETSM Michael Iverson from HMAS Waller.
(Left to right) SMNMT Eddie Bereny, SMNMT Simon Bonney, SMNCSO Christopher Brooks and SMNCSO Shelleyanne Fogarty on HMAS Waller's casing during a visit to the submarine as part of the ESP course held at Fleet Base West recently.
