Reaping the rewards of the silent service

The COVID-19 pandemic was the ideal time for AB Cameron to return to the military and follow in his great-grandfather’s footsteps as a submariner.

AB Cameron, 35, had previously served in the RAAF as an airbase security officer, but he always hoped to one day return to the ADF.

So, when work as a diesel mechanic in the mines in the Pilbara region of WA looked uncertain during the pandemic, he made the decision to re-enlist.

“My great grandfather was a submariner in the Royal Navy in World War I,” AB Cameron said.

“I always had it in the back of my mind that that’s what I wanted to pursue.”

He enlisted in the RAN in 2020 and spent four years working on surface ships before transferring to the silent service.

Within months he was on a plane to Groton, Connecticut, to complete the US Navy’s Basic Enlisted Submarine School at the Naval Submarine School.

“I loved my time in Connecticut. It is smack-bang in the middle of New York and Boston on the east coast, and the home of US submarines,” AB Cameron said.

“I was at the submarine school for three months studying an introduction to systems and US submarine force history, among other subjects.

“Getting the exposure to working with the US military and the different ways they do things was a really worthwhile experience.”

Three months of rate specific training as a machinist mate – weapons followed.

Three months of rate specific training as a machinist mate – weapons followed.

“As a machinist-weapons we look after the Tomahawks, torpedoes, countermeasures, small arms and force protection for the boat,” he said.

“We also maintain all the equipment that loads, unloads and fires the weapons.”

AB Cameron has been posted to a US submarine in Pearl Harbor since July last year.  

“It’s awesome. It actually feels like home now. When we pull in from deployment, it actually feels like I’m coming home,” he said.

“We have an Australian community going. A small cohort of us came over to Hawaii initially and most people have had their wives and kids join them.

“The Americans are super professional to work with. Watching US crew respond to engineering incidents on board is like watching an opera.

“It is so orchestrated and scripted. Everyone knows exactly what to say, what is happening, what to do and the procedure for each and every incident, it’s pretty cool to watch.”

He said the work-life balance could sometimes be difficult with the demands of the job, but he was keen to get all the qualifications and experience required to contribute to the success of the AUKUS program.

“Being a part of something as huge as the AUKUS program – it’s the biggest Australian Defence spend in history – and to just be a part of that is pretty cool,” AB Cameron said.

“Mentally it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, but its super rewarding when you see the outcome of the missions we undertake. That’s why I joined the Navy.”