Testing their sea legs for the first time, 45 Navy recruits from HMAS Cerberus embarked on HMAS Choules for a sea ride they will never forget.
The recruits ranged in age, from the youngest at 18 to the oldest in their 50s, with career aspirations spanning from marine technician to musician.
Twenty-year-old Recruit Abby Watts, from Moorland near Taree in NSW, is training for a role as an aircrew member, where she will operate and manage sensors, weaponry and radar on Navy helicopters in the future.
"I chose aviation because not only is it interesting, but since I was little I've always looked up to pilots and aviation roles, so I knew that's what I wanted to do," Recruit Watts said.
At sea, she and the other recruits prepared their white uniforms for the first time - the rig they wore while lining the deck of Choules to cheer ship for the Governor-General during the Kakadu Fleet Review.
"We had run-throughs in our whites, but this was our first time in public, which was really cool, and I was proud to be wearing them," she said.
'Training has been challenging, but I feel like I'm thriving, and being on the ship was so exciting.'
The former disability support worker said she could not believe her luck at getting on board a Navy vessel just five weeks into recruit training.
"Training has been challenging, but I feel like I'm thriving, and being on the ship was so exciting," Recruit Watts said.
"To be honest, Choules was a lot bigger than I thought it would be. It wasn't claustrophobic at all, and I was having the best time."
Lieutenant Josh Lovell-Hawkins, a nursing officer working out of category as a divisional officer for the 45 newest faces of Navy, said the experience was invaluable.
"The opportunity for recruits to get maritime exposure early in their ab initio training is fundamental to ensuring they gain a realistic understanding of what sea time and service in the RAN looks like," he said.
For Recruit Watts, the journey continued back at recruit school, and she said she was looking forward to graduating and starting her career.
Choules joined vessels from 18 other nations for the Kakadu Fleet Review in Sydney Harbour, highlighting strong regional maritime cooperation and the deep partnerships fostered through Exercise Kakadu.
