Vietnamese-born Australian Navy Captain Cadeyrn Okely has a powerful message – you don’t have to come from much to go far in the Australian Navy. 

Now Director Fleet Engineering, Captain Okely was rescued from an orphanage during the fall of Saigon in 1975. His protectors, two Australian diplomats who would become his parents, brought him back to Australia. 

“My birth mother died when I was born, and my birth father was a soldier in the Vietnamese army,” Captain Okely said.

“So at the age of two I ended up in an orphanage, and my adoptive parents took me back to Australia during the evacuation of Saigon.

“My dad continued serving as an Australian diplomat, and, having lived in Australia for a time, we spent the next several years living in the UK, Russia and New York, where dad worked in the United Nations for nuclear disarmament.”

Back in Australia, Captain Okely completed his Year 12 school studies and decided to join the Navy.

“Knowing that Australia had given me such a good start and such an amazing life, I thought what better way to give back than to serve,” Captain Okely said. 

Captain Okely joined the Royal Australian Navy in February 1991 as an underwater controller submariner (now known as acoustic warfare analyst), subsequently serving in Oberon-class submarines. 

He then became an electronics technician, serving in surface ships, rising to the rank of petty officer before successfully commissioning as a weapons electrical engineer officer in 2000. 

'Do I feel I belong in Navy? Absolutely. Navy is the place for me.'

As part of this transition, Captain Okely spent five years studying at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology through the Engineering Officer Program. 

He worked his way up to commander before trying out civilian life and working for Defence contractor Thales for two years, before returning as Director Fleet Engineering in 2024 at Navy’s request. 

Over his impressive career, Captain Okely has served in HMA Submarines Otway and Otama, and HMA Ships Anzac, Ballarat, Parramatta and Perth, as well as postings to the Australian Maritime Warfare Centre, as fleet weapons engineering and electrical officer, and in the US. 

As a petty officer electrical technician, Captain Okely served in first-of-class HMAS Anzac for her maiden voyage around the world, as well as for first-of-class missile firings, an operational deployment to East Timor and fisheries patrols in Antarctica. 

“I’ve had so many incredible moments in the Navy,” Captain Okely said.

“But if I had to pick three, my favourites would be serving in first-of-class HMAS Anzac, fast-roping out of helicopters as a boarding officer and spearheading the Joint Anti-Ship Defence Decoy programme Nulka whilst living in Washington, DC, for three years.”

Captain Okely’s Vietnamese heritage has played a nuanced part in his identity throughout his career.

“I acknowledge and am grateful for my Vietnamese heritage, and I have been back and visited several times,” Captain Okely said.

“But I grew up in Australia and my Australian adopted parents are my parents.

“However, the thing that has never escaped me is the way I look, being of Asian descent.

“Back in the ’80s there weren’t many Asian kids around and I was singled out at school and in the early days of being in the Navy.

“It definitely shaped who I am, and I developed a thick skin, learned to put on a front and be a chameleon oftentimes.

“I look back at it now almost in shame, because I didn’t want to be Asian, or of Asian descent. I just wanted to fit in.”

Captain Okely has seen significant cultural evolution in the ADF and in Australia over the years.

“A lot has changed in terms of acceptance, awareness, diversity and culture,” Captain Okely said.

“That’s also the same in society and, after all, Navy is a slice of Australian society.

“Do I feel I belong in Navy? Absolutely. Navy is the place for me.

“I wasn’t a star achiever and got very average marks for my commissioning tests, but I had the right attitude, and went on to obtain my engineering degree with first-class honours at university. 

“There’s different stages of life, and you can change direction at different times. Just because you’re on a particular road now, doesn’t mean that’s the road you are going to stay on.”

'Navy allows me to defend Australia and the life it has provided me, while being able to develop the people who will protect its legacy.'

As Director Fleet Engineering, Captain Okely shapes and maintains the standards for Navy’s engineering and technical career continuum and ensures technical and safety policies are adhered to.  

This means that he has the responsibility of certifying all engineering officers as competent to assume the role of Engineering head of department in an HMA Ship.

Captain Okely has been involved with Defence reference groups that support, represent and promote the inclusion of Defence personnel from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, helping them feel valued. He also gives his time as a mentor involved with executive coaching for officers and sailors.

“Navy allows me to defend Australia and the life it has provided me, while being able to develop the people who will protect its legacy,” Captain Okely said.

“Now, with my influence and my standing, if I can be a lighthouse to even a couple of people who used to be like me, I would have achieved something special by helping others feel that they belong in Navy too.”