ESP course diving now

ON THE SURFACE: A student at the STSC conducts submarine training. Other Navy personnel can now take an obligation-free course to see if the submariners’ life is right for them.

If you’re considering a new and exciting career within the Navy you may want to check out the life of a submariner including some of the benefits they receive.

The submarine service offers highly motivated sailors and officers the opportunity to enter the elite family of a special breed of sailor.

Serving personnel from the Navy, Army and Air Force who are interested in becoming submariners can test the waters first by attending an obligation-free five-day course at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.

The Enhanced Selection Process (ESP) is conducted by the Training Authority-Submarines (TA-SM) at the Submarine Training and Systems Centre (STSC) – a purpose-built submarine training facility with state-of-art simulators and specialist computer-based training equipment.

Those nominated for the course will be posted to the STSC and over the five-day course will be provided with a variety of informative briefs and a tour of a Collins submarine.

There are sessions designed to give a general in-sight on the employment, lifestyle and conditions of service of a submariner and what it’s like to become part of a team who operates the world’s most capable conventional submarine.

The ESP is normally conducted monthly and during the week the aim of the course is to give a deep look into the world of submariners.

Students are given a smoke walk in the Survivability School, a recompression chamber dive and water surface exercises at the Submarine Escape Training Facility; interviews and discussions with submariners and psychologists, a submarine suitability medical; plus comprehensive briefs on submarine categories duties, routines, security, conditions of service and submarine operations.

The ESP is really a try-before-you-buy program that TA-SM strives to pack with information and vocational, hands-on activities.
There are no costs involved to the participant and all ESP course members are provided with service accommodation on Garden Island, transport and all meals during the course.

Volunteers interested in an ESP should make their request through their Divisional system or Officer Commanding then complete the criteria in accordance with DI(N) PERS 75-41 and arrange for DSCM/DNOP (or appropriate service career agency) to be notified.

Dates for the next round of ESP courses are: