For the first time in five years, the Naval Aviation Prospects Scheme (NAPS) has visited numerous schools in the Northern Territory.

For five days, a van with unique livery highlighting Navy aviation brought excitement to students from five local Darwin schools.

Personnel from bases HMAS Coonawarra and HMAS Albatross, and ADF Careers, set up four Navy aviation helicopter simulators from the NAPS, providing an exciting experience for the students from O’Laughlin Catholic College, Palmerston Senior College, Casuarina Senior College, Mackillop Catholic College and Marrara Christian College.

The simulators were not the only thing travelling to the schools during that week. Members of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Band accompanied the NAPS personnel and members of the RAN Gap Year program to perform at lunchtime at each school.

Chief Petty Officer Ronald Schauer said it was a chance to share stories.

“Gap Year officers were able to share their own experiences and professional journeys with students,” Chief Petty Officer Schauer said. 

The NAPS van then continued for a week, on a first-of-its-kind tour to remote schools across the state in Katherine, Tennant Creek and as far south as Alice Springs, with students travelling from remote communities to participate in the experience.

Leading Seaman Dion Dodd said it was a rare opportunity for engagement in remote communities.

“This provides the students with a fresh perspective on the roles available within the Navy and wider ADF,” Leading Seaman Dodd said. 

“Working alongside the ADF Careers team, we were able to gauge [the] interest of the students and provide possible career pathways, should they choose to join the Defence Force.”

The experience aimed at engaging students with active ADF personnel from various fields and ranks, as well as promoting STEM and related fields. It provided a tangible way for them to see the real-life uses of physics, engineering and mathematics.

Many of the ADF personnel involved said they looked forward to participating in future activities such as this, believing they still have much to share.