What It’s Like To Be A Submariner For The Royal Australian Navy

This post is presented to you by the Australian Defence Force.

For Jose Vaca, the chance to join the deep elite as an Electronics Engineering Officer Submariner in the Royal Australian Navy has proven to be the opportunity of a lifetime. With a family history of service, Jose always knew he wanted to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

“My father served in the US Navy in the 1950’s and I grew up as a kid in absolute awe of his stories, so after university I was really keen to join the Defence Force. I think my age has been of a benefit to me. You’re never too old to do something new,” Jose said.

In 2014, Lieutenant Vaca graduated from the Navy’s New Entry Officer Course (NEOC) at HMAS Creswell in Jervis Bay, NSW after enlisting in the Navy as a graduate. In his role, Jose will be one of the Navy's electrical, electronics and combat systems engineering experts.

“Everyone on the ship has a part to play and I think there is pride in where the Navy is now. The weapons and training facilities are world class and the technology is really cool,” Jose said.

As the Navy regularly introduces new ships and electronic systems, life as an Electronics Engineer Submariner is constantly challenging and changing.

Submariners are the astronauts of the deep and the elite Service of the Navy. The technology and sophistication of today's submarines is akin to the space program.

Honour, Honesty, Courage, Integrity and Loyalty are the guiding principles that form the Royal Australian Navy’s code of values, which serve as a constant source of moral courage to take action.

The Navy is currently recruiting for Electronics Engineer Submariners. For further information on military training and careers in the Navy visit: defencejobs.gov.au/navy or call 13 19 01.