Highly trained medical staff are essential for ensuring Australian Defence Force personnel are at their fighting best in high-tempo operational deployments.
Growing up in Burpengary, Brisbane, and having graduated from the University of the Sunshine Coast in Medical Science, Seaman Medic Laine McLatchey looked for a career that was going to offer her a challenging and rewarding environment.
"I joined the Royal Australian Navy as a medic for the opportunity to travel the world and set myself up in a career I'm really excited about," Seaman McLatchey said.
"I've always found the medical field interesting and thought joining the Defence Force could provide me with achievable career goals and professional development in an area I'm very passionate about.
"I love to help people, and to be able to provide support to the wider Defence community in my job is very pleasing."
Seaman McLatchey completed her initial category training as a medic in March. The training took place over two years and was conducted in a tri-service environment, where she was exposed to different Defence training situations to help her prepare for future taskings.
Since her training concluded, it has been a busy period of transition for Seaman McLatchey.
She has been posted to HMAS Canberra as part of the Maritime Operational Health Unit where she will administer help for ship's company on Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 taking place in Hawaii, US.
"To be a part of such a large deployment so early in my career is really exciting and I'm looking forward to the opportunities I'll experience and the places I will see," Seaman McLatchey said.
"I'm lucky to sail with such qualified sailors and officers on this deployment. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can explore and achieve in my first time out to sea."
At the conclusion of RIMPAC, Seaman McLatchey will return home to Brisbane to share her stories and experiences with family and friends.
