For Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Natasja Roy, a career in Navy began with a simple decision to follow her twin sister, but it quickly became a lifelong pursuit of growth, purpose and service.

Born in Brisbane and raised across Townsville, Brisbane and regional Victoria, LCDR Roy was one of ten children in a busy household that demanded adaptability from an early age.

“Growing up moving between different places taught me how to adapt quickly and connect with people wherever I landed,” she said. “Those skills have carried straight through to Navy life.”

She enlisted at 20 as a sailor, celebrating her 21st birthday in recruit school before qualifying as a Maritime Personnel Operator (MPO). Early postings took her to HMA Ships Tobruk, Melbourne, Warramunga, Ballarat, Anzac and Toowoomba, as well as shore roles at Submarine Force and Navy Headquarters.

Her operational experience includes deployments on Operations SAVILLE, RELEX II, CATALYST, SLIPPER and ACCORDION, including service at Al Minhad Air Base.

“What started as following my sister turned into a career I’m genuinely proud of,” LCDR Roy said. “The Navy pushed me well outside my comfort zone, but the growth and sense of purpose exceeded everything I expected,” she said.

A defining moment in her career came during a Middle East deployment, when a Royal Australian Air Force colleague encouraged her to begin tertiary study.

“My first reaction was, ‘I can’t study, I’m not smart enough’,” she said. “They signed me up to university that day and I started two weeks later.”

Completing three subjects while deployed marked the beginning of an ongoing commitment to learning.

“If you feel like you have nothing left to learn or improve, then you have lost yourself,” she said.

In 2021, LCDR Roy commissioned as a Human Resources Officer (HRO), bringing with her the insight of having served as both sailor and officer. She has since held key roles including instructor at Maritime Personnel School and Staff Officer to Head Military Workforce Design within Branch N1.

She is currently posted to Maritime Task Group as Gold Team N1, where she supports workforce planning and personnel outcomes in a high tempo operational environment.

Her experience as both a sailor and an officer informs her approach.

“That experience gives me a deeper understanding of the people I now support and how important kindness is,” she said. “The responsibility is significant. Decisions don’t just affect outcomes, they affect lives and careers.”

Some of her most defining experiences have also been the most challenging. Balancing full time service with raising her son, Jules, has involved extended periods apart during deployments, as well as studying for a Bachelor of Business while embarked.

“You learn to put one foot in front of the other and crack on, even when it’s difficult,” she said. “Those moments underline the personal sacrifices that come with service, but they’ve strengthened my resilience and reinforced why support, empathy and connection in Navy are so important.”

Outside work, LCDR Roy enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and son, including helping on a friend’s alpaca farm. The family has recently purchased a small rural property near Yass and is looking ahead to the next chapter.

Her advice to those considering Navy is clear.

“Go for it,” she said. “Defence is a great leveller. If you’re willing to commit, the opportunities for growth, purpose and belonging are extraordinary.”