While it is an opportunity many officers and sailors wait their entire careers for, the newest participants of the Navy Indigenous Development Program (NIDP) happened to be in the 'right place, at the right time', being welcomed aboard a major US warship in just their second week on the job.
As USS Rushmore pulled alongside in Cairns, the US Whidbey Island-class Landing Ship welcomed aboard the new NIDP recruits to witness what life was like at sea with one of our most trusted allies.
Two United States Naval Officers showed the 13 participants around the Rushmore, explaining the vessel and its capabilities to the NIDP recruits.
NIDP Recruit Talijah Johnson welcomed the introduction to the US Navy, impressed with how the officers and sailors came together not just as a crew, but as a family.
"The experience was amazing, it made me really want this career, seeing how the ship worked and the people working together," Recruit Johnson said.
This opportunity provided a new perspective for the recruits, regarding not only the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) but other navies as well, with many of the participants noticing how there were subtle differences and similarities in the vessel, culture, and systems between our navies.
'Not many people get to visit an ally's navy ship.'
After the tour, the recruits went out for sports with members of Rushmore ship's company.
Playing volleyball on the beach, as though in a scene from a movie, mixing with and learning from the American crew.
NIDP Recruit Reece Conlon was enthusiastic about the opportunity, aware of the rarity of the experience.
"Not many people get to visit an ally's navy ship," Recruit Conlon said.
"The sport was cool, we got to chat with them [USS Rushmore crew] and hear their stories."
The NIDP is a residential course run primarily out of Cairns in Far North Queensland designed to develop participants' skills academically, physically, and socially (including self-confidence and leadership).
The course aims to prepare recruits for a fulfilling career in the RAN and life beyond.
