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My name is Sub Lieutenant Gazdar, and I'm an Assistant
Weapons Electrical Engineer on board HMAS Newcastle.
My department basically takes care of external, internal
communications.
Weapons, that includes guns, anti-aircraft missiles and
ship missiles, torpedoes, combat systems like radars,
fire-control radar, long-distance radar,
navigation radar.
There's a whole bunch of things and it's very exciting.
I wouldn't say challenging.
It's very interesting.
And I'm very eager to learn new things.
And everyday on a ship you learn new things.
And I've been posted on a ship for almost 10 months, and
still everyday I walk past a corridor or a passage and see
a new switchboard or a new wiring going on.
And it's always very exciting to see something new.
And also on the Navy you travel overseas.
And I love travelling and meeting people.
The Navy's all about teamwork.
As you say, Navy doesn't work just by individual department.
We have supply departments, weapons, electrical, and
mechanical departments, and *** departments as well.
So we all work together as a team.
Well, I did my specialisation in microelectronics
engineering, which is basically designing of
integrated circuits.
It was a specialised branch.
You don't need that sort of degree to join the Navy.
What you need is a basic engineering degree.
And you can even join the Navy as a student.
So when you're doing your undergrad degree, or you're
doing any graduation from any university, can join the Navy
and Navy will pay for the tuition fees and the books, so
it's pretty good.
It's not strict.
Yes, it is disciplined.
Discipline's a core for any defence force
to run and to function.
It doesn't mean that it is all bullying, or just because
you're a hiring officer.
No, it's not like that.
It's very nice, very easygoing, and a very fair
organisation.
And they treat everyone with respect and dignity.
My goal is to stay in Navy for long.
I'm planning to change over to become a Submariner.
Well yes, absolutely.
Certainly the private companies might pay a bit
more, but Navy doesn't pay you less either.
You've got a lot of facilities in addition to your pay.
For instance, your medical expenses, your housing
allowances.
So cumulatively I believe it is on par with similar
companies across the pay.
I think the best part about the Navy is uncertainty.
You don't know what's going to happen.
Anything can pop up anytime.
Every officer in the Royal Australian Navy is first an
officer, and then whatever his PQ is.
For me, I'm first a naval officer and then a Weapons
Electrical Engineer.
I wear this uniform and I think of those people who
sacrificed their life serving this nation, serving the Navy.
And I have a big shoe to fill in.