Those passionate about technology and maintaining computer systems are aware of the jokes that go with it. 

But communications specialist Able Seaman Michael Cunningham wears this moniker like a badge of honour.

“It’s cool to be a nerd. Especially in this day and age,” he said.

“It may seem like a nerdy job, but there’s some super exciting parts of the job that you get to do.”

Exciting parts like cutting through the ocean at 35 knots on a rigid-hulled inflatable boat, weighed down by 30 kilograms of tactical body armour and scaling a suspicious vessel’s gunwale at speed, armed with a 9mm Browning pistol.

“I was nervous at first, but when you’re doing it, you just do it,” Able Seaman Cunningham said.

The 24-year-old from Logan in south-east Queensland has always had an appetite for adventure and challenge, like getting his green belt in Zen Do Kai. 

He had always wanted to serve in the ADF, provided he could pursue his passions.

“I wanted to work with computer systems, and one of the jobs where you do that is as a Navy communicator,” Able Seaman Cunningham said.

'Sure, everyone’s experiences are different, but I love the job and it’s been great to learn what I’m actually capable of.'

While he works with some of the nation’s most high-tech classified systems, he was surprised to find out how much he enjoyed two of the oldest forms of maritime communication: international maritime flag signals and morse code.

“It’s like learning a different language. Learning this stuff can be a different skill out at sea that could really help you because it helps you figure out what units are doing based on the flags they are flying,” he said.

While embarked on HMAS Toowoomba for her regional presence deployment through East and South-East Asia, he has visited six regional partners and engaged in multilateral and bilateral exercises, activities and operations with allied nations.

“It’s worth it. You make a lot of friends, you meet a lot of people and you travel the world,” Able Seaman Cunningham said.

“Most of the places I have been, I would have never seen if I hadn’t joined, and this is only my first deployment.”

He said that with the commitment to service now reduced from six to just two years, other people should give it a go.

“Sure, everyone’s experiences are different, but I love the job and it’s been great to learn what I’m actually capable of,” Able Seaman Cunningham said.