During August, the ADF deployed a C-27J Spartan and its crew to the Solomon Islands for Operation Solania. On board the aircraft, Personnel Capability Specialist Leading Aircraftwoman Lucy Owen embarked on her first ADF operation. 

Leading Aircraftwoman Owen initially joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 2022 through the ADF’s Gap Year program, as she was looking for stability and a way to build her professionalism and life experience before applying for university. 

Since signing on, Leading Aircraftwoman Owen has been studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science at Griffith University on a full-time basis with the help of Defence’s Assisted Study Scheme. To balance full-time work and study, she made the most of the Total Workforce System and became what is known in the ADF as SERCAT 6 (service category 6).

SERCAT 6 is an employment category within the ADF that allows members to work at a part-time level while still maintaining their eligibility for several benefits, including medical, dental and housing. 

This avenue has meant that Leading Aircraftwoman Owen was able to work and develop valuable skills that have made her an asset to her team within one of Air Force’s most deployed units, 35 Squadron, while also successfully progressing through her studies. 

'Being able to study full time and still build a career has been so beneficial to me.'

She never thought she would be able to do something like this when she started her career, let alone with the support of her team, squadron and the wider Air Force.

“Being able to study full time and still build a career has been so beneficial to me,” Leading Aircraftwoman Owen said.

“I have been able to be a part of a great team and a great squadron without having to sacrifice my personal goals and aspirations.”

After transferring back to full-time service in June, Leading Aircraftwoman Owen has just completed her first operation with 35 Squadron, Operation Solania, where she has had the opportunity to test herself in the deployed environment.

“Coming to the Solomon Islands and being a part of the crew on Operation Solania detecting illegal fishing has been a great experience. It requires a lot of agility to manage the requirements of an air crew away from home,” Leading Aircraftwoman Owen said.

“Being deployed has not only let me test my skills as a Personnel Capability Specialist but it has also broadened my knowledge of ADF operations, especially the support we give to our Pacific partners and the tangible benefit we can help provide the region.”

The Total Workforce System is the practical application of the ADF’s acknowledgement that people are its most valuable asset.

Find out more about the ADF Total Workforce System here.

Find out more about the Personnel Capability Specialist Role here.