Hard Work Takes You Places In The Navy
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday August 25, 2001
JOBS in the Navy are often looked upon as glamorous.
But there is a lot of hard work to get through before you get there, according to Lieutenant Commander, LCDR Chris Smallhorn (pictured right).
LCDR Smallhorn, who is a qualified aeronautical engineer and a test pilot with aircraft maintenance and flight trials unit for the Navy, said one had to balance study and work.
``It's hard work because it is a military institution, therefore it has the discipline bent on it, but it's the places and things that you get to do that really extend the whole experience," LCDR Smallhorn said.
``My degree took four years and then another 14 months to when I had my engineering qualifications.
``During that time you have military requirement and you have your study requirements.
``And it doesn't matter if you are doing a trade or degree you have to work hard for it.
``While doing the degree students are attending military studies, so you are doing extra.
``You are doing the typical military stuff, the parades, the tight fitness regime which has to be kept up and you also have your service training where you learn to write in a military format.
``You also learn what capabilities the defence force has, get an appreciation of what strategic means there are and what the other countries in our area do.
``So there is a wide variety of service training."
LCDR Smallhorn, 31, has been with the Defence Force for 14 years and is responsible for testing any new aviation purchases. He takes the planes through extensive test flights and checks handling performances and capabilities.
``When the Commonwealth of Australia purchases a piece of equipment in aviation I ensure we get what we are after, that it meets our specifications," he said.
``I am also involved in anything from new aircraft type through to small modification on aircraft that would require some sort of testing."
But don't get LCDR Smallhorn wrong. The Navy is not all work and no play.
``The experience is wide and varied. The best way to explain it is that it is a whole life experience surrounded by moments of excitement," LCDR Smallhorn said.
``In my time I have flown some 25 different types of aircrafts including everything from fighter planes such as F-18s to gliders," he said.
``I have lived in the United States, I have travelled quite a large extent of the South East Asian area, I have been to Canada, Hawaii, and all around Australia.
``I wanted to fly and travel and one of the magnificent ways to do that is through the Navy."
There are downsides to working in the Navy, according to LCDR Smallhorn.
He works an average of 10 hours per day, which does include some night work.
`` I wouldn't say for a second that you don't put in a lot of hours and a lot of hard work," he said.
``You definitely do it for the love of it and it's more than just a pay packet.
``When you are at the Nowra base you work from around 8am to 4.30pm and 7.40am-12.30pm on Fridays."
There are different types of jobs within the Navy.
Jobs are catergorised into sailors, Australian Defence Force officers, undergraduate officers, and graduate officers.
Each department has its own set training programs which range from a degree to trade courses.
The Navy also offers part-time employment.
For more information pn Navy jobs log onto http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/navy/home/index.html or call 131901.
© 2001 Illawarra Mercury