Tartan Terror hosts tribal warriors
11 Jun 2010
HMAS Stuart (CMDR Guy Blackburn) recently opened her gangway to 15 indigenous teenagers involved in the Tribal Warrior program which is designed to help them navigate their way from ‘skid row’ to rewarding careers and happy lives.
The comprehensive tour of the ‘Tartan Terror’ provided the fifteen teenagers with an introduction to the many careers available in the RAN.
Stuart’s OOW, LEUT Adam Stafford, said the young Australians gained an invaluable insight into the roles and responsibilities of being a sailor, as well as the different rating categories.
“Today we helped a group of young Australians to learn a little bit about a career in the Navy, which is an important part of them understanding the full range of career options they have,” he said.
The ship tour also included a fire-fighting demonstration and lunch in the junior sailor’s mess, where LEUT Stafford told the group about Stuart’s recent deployment on Op Slipper.
One of the Tribal Warriors, Shayne, told Navy News that the visit to Stuart had aroused his interest in joining the RAN.
“I never realised until that there are so many career options in the Navy,” he said.
During the visit to Fleet Base East on 18 May, the Tribal Warrior participants also enjoyed a tour of the RAN Heritage Centre and the Navy Indoor Sports Centre.
Host Officer, WOCIS Tim Holliday, said the Tribal Warrior program is designed to help troubled indigenous teenagers to channel their energies into more positive pursuits such as a career in the ADF.
“This program is about providing opportunities for indigenous men and women, by equipping them with the skills and tools they need to make an informed decision about their future,” he said.
WOCIS Holliday said the Tribal Warrior program has a 95% success rate, with almost all the participants finding new direction in their lives.
He said even if the participants eventually decide they do not want to join the Navy or the ADF, the Tribal Warrior program still equips them with the life skills to be role models when they return to their communities.
More images available in the Navy gallery
