22 February 2024
From a young age, Flying Officer Ashlee Staneke had ambitions to be an ADF pilot.
When Flying Officer Staneke joined the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) at the age of 19, she had limited life experience. ADFA provided her with valuable life skills and empowered her to excel in a Defence environment.
She graduated in 2020 with a University of NSW Bachelor of Science, majoring in mathematics and aviation.
“In order to become a pilot, I had to complete a pilot course that required maturity, resilience and responsibility. I would not have been as proficient in this course and my job if it was not for my three years at ADFA,” Flying Officer Staneke said.
“ADFA was an opportunity to grow and gain experience. Not only this, I got to know my peers and build stakeholder relationships I could rely on throughout my journey.
“I built resilience through activities such as the leadership challenges and single-service training.”
Flying Officer Staneke recalls how her self-confidence grew throughout her time as an ADFA trainee officer.
“I wasn’t sure I had what it took to get through, especially when I compared myself to my peers. For most people, it is a part of the process,” Flying Officer Staneke said.
“As with any new career, there are going to be challenges that take you out your comfort zone, but it’s all OK when you’ve got peers beside you going through the same experience, and ADFA faculty supporting you through the duration of your training.
“ADFA is an opportunity to settle into the ADF before starting your career. Like everything, there will be challenges, but with challenge comes success.”
Flying Officer Staneke said a highlight for 2023 was having the chance to fly with night-vision goggles and land at an unlit airfield.
“I would not be where I am today without the support of ADFA,” Flying Officer Staneke said.
Now, three years after graduating, Flying Officer Staneke is living her dream as a co-pilot on Air Force’s C27J Spartan aircraft, based out of RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.
