Features
Chasing dolphins
By LCDR Tony Underwood

Edition 5006, April 19, 2007
 
DIRECT ENTRY: SMN Daws and “sea mum” LS Small with the Defence Minister, Dr Brendan Nelson.
Photo: CPL Andrew Eddie
 
Seaman Natalie Daws has come a long way in a short time … and now she has quite a bit of catching up to do.

Originally from the NSW Northern Rivers town of Grafton, Natalie is one of a handful of sailors who have become submariners directly from Recruit School under new arrangements which took effect in 2006.

Natalie joined the Navy as a recruit in January last year.

“Grafton is a really small country town and I wanted a more interesting life, being at sea, serving my country and meeting new people,” she said.

Aged 20, Natalie joined to become a combat systems operator and topped her recruit course.

“In Recruit School, I was made aware of submarines and stepped out of combat systems operator category training.

“So I haven’t done a CSO course – I’ve gone through as a trainee submariner and I’m on a submarine doing my dolphins.

“I have to qualify and get my dolphins before July because I’m due to begin an electronic warfare analysts’ course then.”

So Natalie is knuckling down and studying hard for the dolphin brevet – in Waller learning how the boat and crew work.

“It’s a bit hard being a guinea pig for a trial,” Natalie said. “Many of the people I joined with are ABs.

“But my ‘sea mum’, LS Tracey Small, is fantastic, she’s looking after me, introducing me to people and giving me the benefit of her experience.

“In the long run it’s going to be awesome.”