Success' Gap Year success
8 September 2008
The Gap Year recruits and new RAN sailors in HMAS Success (CMDR Simon Brown) raved about their first time abroad in Hawaii after the hard working replenishment ship returned from Exercise RIMPAC in late August.
Gap Year recruits SMN Martin Gillett, 18, of Perth, and SMN Sean Hester, 18, of Brisbane, as well as recently enlisted SMN Amy McMutrie, 19, of Berry in South Australia, told Navy News how their first 'tour of duty' abroad had greatly enhanced their love of the sea and Navy life.
The three sailors were among 160 of Success' Ship's Company who were welcomed home by a massive gathering of family and friends following more than three months at sea.
SMN Hester said the deployment and Gap Year experience had convinced him to join the RAN. SMN Hester will commence his category training as an Electronics Technician in October.
SMN Gillett said his deployment to Hawaii was the adventure he was looking for and had totally justified his decision to participate in the Gap Year scheme with the RAN.
"My first time abroad has been a truly fantastic and unforgettable experience," he said.
"The highlight for me was seeing the power of the maritime Coalition when all 30 ships from a dozen different countries sailed together during the Fleet concentration period."
SMN Gillett said his family are very proud of his decision to participate in the Gap Year program and marvel at his adventures with the Navy.
SMN Gillett said he will pursue a maritime engineering cadetship in the commercial sector when he completes his Gap Year, which will give him excellent qualifications as well as the opportunity to pursue a rewarding career in the RAN as an Officer.
The Gap Year recruits in Success are one of more than 100 Year-12 students who have signed up to the program with the RAN.
The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon, MP, said the Gap Year program is an incredible opportunity for young Australians to experience life in the ADF.
All the Navy Gap Year recruits were fully integrated into the regular RAN recruit training system for 11 weeks before being posted ashore or to sea to expose them to what it takes to be a sailor in today's Navy.
