As a transgender woman, Leading Seaman Thinnapat Thanaveeradechakorn (Leading Seaman T), didn't know what to expect when she applied to join the Royal Australian Navy in 2016.
Originally from Thailand, Leading Seaman T had years of experience in the hospitality and service industry but was seeking something more from her career.
While she knew she wanted a stable government job with the opportunity to travel, it was her uncle's experience in the Royal Thai Navy that influenced her choice of a career at sea.
She was, nevertheless, apprehensive about her career move.
"I remember being quite anxious about my medical history, but I simply answered the medical team's questions openly and honestly, and provided them the records they required," Leading Seaman T said.
"They found nothing to prevent me from applying and when I was accepted into the Navy I felt very relieved and proud."
Leveraging her background in hospitality and service, Leading Seaman T was assigned to the maritime logistics support operations branch.
'Navy has good people with good values, and the protocols in place to ensure everybody is treated with respect.'
Her career to date has included postings aboard HMA ships Parramatta and Rankin, and she is currently working as the personal assistant to Chief of Joint Operations at Headquarters Joint Operations Command.
"As a transgender person, you never know how you'll be treated in an organisation. I took a risk joining the Navy and have had a great experience. Navy has good people with good values, and the protocols in place to ensure everybody is treated with respect," Leading Seaman T said.
"I've now been in the Navy for nine years, and with each new role my experience in the Navy becomes more positive."
Leading Seaman T sees a strong connection between operational safety at sea and the psycho-social safety sought by LGBTQIA+ and others in the workplace.
"The close-knit environment in the fleet, where crew members rely on each other for safety and support, creates a strong bond of trust," Leading Seaman T said.
"Whether I was working in Parramatta or Rankin, the strong relationships I formed made me some very good friends - friends for life. They became my safe zones."
Leading Seaman T led a Wear it Purple event at HMAS Stirling to raise LGBTQIA+ awareness and celebrate diversity.
She prepared everything for the event including promotion, but was worried that no one would attend.
"When I arrived at the room I found that my fears were unfounded and there were more than 20 people in attendance, from sailors to the base's senior leadership," Leading Seaman T said.
"Their presence showed me how much they cared and they went on to generously share their stories."
Leading Seaman T has been a member of Navy's LGBTQIA+ Diversity Reference Group (DRG) for a year, which is an avenue for members to advise on a wide range of views and lived experiences, and who recommend initiatives to improve diversity and inclusion in the Navy.
'From personal experience I encourage any transgender person to apply for a role in the Navy. We need their strengths and talents.'
Commander Joala Simon, a Deputy Director in the Navy Culture team, said initiatives such as the DRG were important as they encouraged respectful conversations, helping all to understand.
"Creating an inclusive culture starts with each of us making a commitment to respect and understanding, by staying open-minded and engaging in thoughtful, constructive conversations," Commander Simon said.
"Some people may feel uncertain or unfamiliar when it comes to particular matters of diversity and inclusion. What's important is a willingness to learn, to listen with respect, and to treat every member of our team with dignity.
"From that foundation, it becomes easier to understand personal boundaries, use preferred pronouns, advocate for inclusive practices, and stand up against any form of unacceptable behaviour."
Leading Seaman T praised Navy's efforts in fostering an inclusive environment, where diversity is respected and valued.
"Navy culture is changing a lot, and we have a diversity of people joining - different backgrounds, skin colour and sexual orientation," Leading Seaman T said.
"And from personal experience I encourage any transgender person to apply for a role in the Navy. We need their strengths and talents."
Her positive experiences in the Navy have made her keen to stay as long as she can.
"I feel like my career in the Navy has set me free. The longer I stay in the more I learn, the more great people I meet and the more great experiences I have," Leading Seaman T said.
"This is my happy place, my happy career. I have no family members in Australia - the Navy is my family."
