Spending much of her childhood at her father's mechanic business, Aircraftwoman Tammy Truong developed an interest in technical trades from a young age.
The first of her large Vietnamese family to join the ADF, Aircraftwoman Truong said her decision to join was to find a career that would challenge and take her outside of her comfort zone.
Growing up in Cairnlea, Victoria, she spent the later years of her schooling studying remotely due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
"I struggled having to study remotely and after a while, I felt like I had reached a bit of a slump," Aircraftwoman Truong said.
"I enrolled in university directly out of high school as it seemed like the right thing to do because everyone around me was doing it.
"After one year of study, I realised academic study wasn't for me and my learning style was better suited towards a hands-on trade."
With a growing interest in aviation since attending the Avalon Air Show in 2023, Aircraftwoman Truong knew a career with the Air Force would not only challenge her but allow her to learn practically while gaining nationally recognised trade qualifications.
She enlisted in January 2025, under the ADF Gap Year program as an aviation support technician.
The role includes working as part of a flightline technical team, assisting Air Force technical trades in performing servicing, ground handling and support duties for military aircraft.
Since completing initial training at 1 Recruit Training School, Aircraftwoman Truong posted to 3 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown where she got to work with the F-35A Lightning II aircraft.
"Everyone has been so welcoming, and the squadron has allowed me the flexibility to move between different sections," she said.
"Knowing that my passion is a technical trade, I have spent time with avionics technicians, aircraft technicians and aircraft armament technicians."
'I enjoy the nature of the gunnies' work. The ability to finish most tasks within a shift rather than a task that could take weeks to complete.'
Although all the teams made Aircraftwoman Truong feel welcome, she said she felt most comfortable with the armament technicians or 'gunnies' and had decided to sign on full time to become one.
"I enjoy the nature of the gunnies' work. The ability to finish most tasks within a shift rather than a task that could take weeks to complete," she said.
"The work also feels like a good balance between the electrical side of things and practical hands-on skills, which I like."
Recently, with the team at RAAF Base Tindal for Exercise Arnhem Thunder, Aircraftwoman Truong said working alongside the 'gunnies' in a deployed environment had been amazing and affirmed her decision to sign on full time as an armament technician.
"I am currently finalising all the paperwork and hope to be on the next armament technician course," she said.
"Once I graduate, I would love to be posted back to 3 Squadron and re-join the team."
For anyone unsure about a career in the ADF, and eligible for the Gap Year program, Aircraftwoman Truong said 'definitely' apply.
"I am so grateful I had the chance to go to a squadron and experience the job roles, before signing on full time," she said.
"It also gives you a break between recruit and employment training, and I feel I will learn much better now that I have a better understanding of the role and how Defence works as an organisation.
"The sense of belonging and camaraderie I have felt from 3 Squadron and the wider Defence community has been amazing, and makes me excited to continue my journey and career with the Air Force."
