Flying flag abroad

AUSSIE PRIDE: POPT Vanessa Dickson helps fly the Royal Australian Navy White Ensign as HMAS Anzac passes in the Fast Sailpast for Her Majesty the Queen, during the Royal Fleet Review in Portsmouth in June.

Photo courtesy POPT Dickson

By POPT Vanessa Dickson

So you’re thinking of applying for Exercise Long Look 2006 and want to know some cool things about the four month exchange? Here’s a short account of my experience that might help you along the way.

Once your initial application has been successful, you will find yourself doing administration in preparation for the exchange. It is always a good idea to make contact with your exchange counterpart prior to departure to find out about uniforms, accommodation, third country deployments, leave and travel opportunities, and of course, your job.

I was at HMS Raleigh, Royal Navy Phase 1 Training Establishment in the Physical and Recreational Training Centre. Raleigh is in Torpoint, Cornwall, and the closest city is Plymouth.

Just like in the RAN, phase one trainees do push-ups, sit-ups, running, circuits and obstacle course as per our memories of Recruit School. The RN also complete an annual fitness test, just different standards and exercises.

Sport is very competitive and we travelled mostly to Pompey (Portsmouth) to play football, rounders, and tennis. My responsibilities included managing the sports travel budget, managing and running the sports bar (only an Aussie could do this) and ordering victuals for home and away fixtures.

Other members of the RAN on exchange have found themselves working at Wimbledon and Lords, wearing the RAN uniform proudly. Some have even managed some sea time to mainland Europe, South America.

Travelling to Berlin, Rome, Barcelona, Dublin, and Paris is very easy and there are lots of cheap airlines that operate out of the UK. Weekends are your own, so exploring the sights in Britain and Europe are a must.

Exercise Long Look is one exchange posting that should not be missed.

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