Navy Officer

SPECIALISATIONS

A Navy officer may specialise as an/a:

Aerospace Engineer - Aeronautical Engineer - maintains Navy aircraft and associated systems.

Maritime Aviation Warfare Officer - conducts a range of tasks, such as navigation, identifying other ships or operating weapons on board Navy aircraft.

Navy Pilot - flies Navy planes and helicopters from the Navy Air Station in NSW or from vessels at sea.

Dental Officer - diagnoses and treats teeth and mouth problems of Navy personnel.

Legal Officer - practises military and discipline law, civil and administrative law, and international and operations law in order to assist boards of enquiry; appear before court martials; and provide legal aid to Navy personnel.

Marine Engineer Officer - maintains mechanical and electrical systems and repairs any damage to the structure of the vessel.

Medical Officer - provides health services for Navy personnel in Navy hospitals, on board ships and in emergency situations.

Nursing Officer - is responsible for the general health of all personnel and may become involved in specialist areas like occupational health and safety.

Maritime Warfare Officer - responsible for the control and safety of the ship. With further training they can specialise in navigation and warfare.

Maritime Logistics Officer - manages the Navy's purchasing and distribution systems, personnel, finances, logistics planning, catering and financial accounting.

Training Systems Officer - responsible for overseeing the design, quality control and delivery of training in the Navy.

Weapons Electrical Engineer Officer - responsible for the maintenance and functioning of a ship's weapons and their systems. Onshore, they perform duties such as providing technical training to sailors and maintaining shore installations.

To become a Navy officer you usually have to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12 with passes in English and three other tertiary-accredited subjects.

To join the Navy you will need to successfully complete a series of aptitude tests, medical assessments and selection interviews.

If you are successful there are four different education and training pathways for Navy officers: you may apply to join the Navy as a non- degree, direct-entry officer cadet; you may complete a degree through the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA); you may apply as a sponsored undergraduate; or you may apply after completing a selected range of specialist degrees.

Entry to all non-degree officer cadet positions requires completion of the New Entry Officer Course, which runs for approximately 22 weeks at the Royal Australian Naval College (RANC), HMAS Creswell at Jervis Bay, NSW. This is followed by specialist training with the Navy.

Entry to ADFA usually requires you to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12 with an appropriate score in prerequisite subjects relevant to your chosen study. All ADFA students are required to complete a 3-year course of academic study at the Academy, incorporating the Academic Military education and training (AMET) programme.

Sponsored undergraduates are full-time university students who are currently studying for a degree relevant to the Navy at a recognised tertiary institution. They can apply for sponsored undergraduate entry into the Navy, having completed at least one to two years of their degree, depending on its duration.

Following completion of their specialised degree, they must then complete the New Entry Officer Course at the Royal Australian Naval College before becoming officers in their specialised field.

People who already have specialised degrees may apply for direct entry into the Navy as Graduate Officers. These applicants are then also required to complete the New Entry Officer Course before becoming officers in their specialised field. Different specialised occupations have different entry requirements. For full details on this option, contact your nearest Defence Force Recruiting Centre.