Maritime Warfare Officer Submariner - ADF Gap Year
As a Maritime Warfare Officer Submariner (ADF Gap Year), you’ll get a unique insight into what it’s like to command a Navy submarine. You’ll get to experience life with the Commanding Officer's representative - the point person for executing the safe navigation and general operations of a submarine. You'll also build your ability to think on your feet, prioritise tasks and take in information. Shadowing the officers who call the shots on Navy submarines, you’ll gain leadership skills and experience that will benefit you, wherever your career takes you.
What you'll do
During your Gap Year, you’ll learn from some of the best in the Navy. You’ll observe Maritime Warfare Officer Submariners leading tight-knit teams to achieve a range of different objectives. You’ll also get to see how they manage their team's training, career development and welfare. When you’re not aboard one of the Navy’s submarines, you’ll get a taste of other areas of the force, including Navy shore establishments and other departments, such as engineering and logistics. This will give you a great overview of the organisation and the opportunities available to you should you decide to stay on beyond your Gap Year.
Your Gap Year will be broken up into different stages. This will give you the opportunity to receive basic training and to tour Navy's shore establishments. You’ll experience life at sea, as well as what it is like to be employed ashore.
Your duties may include:
- understudying and shadowing a Maritime Warfare Officer Submariner onboard a submarine
- conducting training within submarine simulators.
You'll also perform additional general duties that support the whole ship, including:
- ship security, firefighting and replenishment at sea
- boarding party, first aid, flood repair and flight deck
- assisting with medical, ammunitioning or ceremonial duties
- shift work, or on-call duties as required.
After finishing your Gap Year program, you can apply to start an exciting career as a full-time Navy Officer. You can apply for entry into the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) or to conduct further Navy job category training for your role.
There is no obligation to serve in the ADF beyond the 12-month Gap Year program period. You can take your new skills and experiences to gain an edge in future careers outside the ADF.
The Initial Entry Officer Course is conducted at HMAS Creswell in Jervis Bay on the South Coast of NSW.
The Shore Establishment tour may include visits to:
- Fleet Base East, HMAS Penguin, HMAS Watson and HMAS Waterhen, Sydney, NSW
- Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, Rockingham, WA
- HMAS Albatross and HMAS Creswell, Nowra, NSW.
You could be assigned to a ship or submarine, or employed ashore in supporting or training establishments, at one of many locations around Australia.
Discover where the Navy operates across Australia on our base locations map.
Requirements and training
You need to be an Australian citizen to be eligible for the ADF Gap Year program.
You must be aged between 17 and 24 years of age at the time of your enlistment or appointment. For Navy, you must be 18 years of age by the completion of your Initial Military Training.
You don’t need a driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
You’ll need to have completed Year 12 with passes in English and 3 other board accredited academic subjects and the obtained an entrance rank high enough to qualify for entry into a defence sponsored degree at UNSW.
If you have studied science, technology, engineering or math's subjects you may have a competitive advantage when applying for a Navy Gap Year officer role.
Applications can be considered if you are yet to complete Year 12 and are tracking towards the above requirements.
To join the Navy, it's important that you meet the necessary medical and physical requirements. Regular exercise prior to joining will set you up for success as it is an important part of training and service life.
Once you join, Navy will support your physical conditioning to ensure you're prepared to serve. You'll also have access to chef-made meals, gyms, sports and fitness sessions run by physical training instructors. Throughout your Navy career, you’ll be expected to conduct an annual fitness test which includes a plank as well as either a beep test or run/walk or swim.
During the application process, you’ll be assessed through questionnaire about your medical history and a physical examination.
During Navy Military Training, whether heading to the New Entry Sailor Course (Recruit School) or the New Entry Officer Course, you'll need to pass a swim test wearing your uniform to graduate. This includes:
- safety jump off a 3m tower
- 10m underwater swim
- 50m swim using survival strokes
- treading water or floating for 15 minutes.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
Your Gap Year experience will commence at the start of the year and will conclude 12 months later. Subsequent periods of service in the Regular or Reserve ADF may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You may request discharge at any time by providing 21 days’ notice.
For this role, you’ll require a Negative Vetting 1 (NV1) Security Clearance.
If you are currently or have previously served in the ADF or foreign service, you’re not eligible for Gap Year. You must be an Australian Citizen to be eligible for the Gap Year Program.
Course: New Entry Officers' Course (NEOC)
Duration: 18 weeks
Location: HMAS Creswell, Jervis Bay, NSW
You’ll begin your career by completing NEOC immediately upon entry into the Navy. NEOC is conducted in January and July each year at the Royal Australian Naval College. This is designed to teach the knowledge, skills and attributes required to be an effective junior naval officer.
NEOC course
- Physical fitness: General fitness, adventure training and the Navy swim test.
- Military life: Discipline, mannerisms, uniform procedures and Defence studies.
- Specialty skills: Small arms weapons training, first aid and survival at sea.
- Navy skills: Drill and ceremonial procedures, officer of the day duties, rank structure and Naval history.
- Leadership skills: High Functioning Teams Training and Military Resilience Training.
- Personal development: Leadership and management (including practical exercises), effective oral and written communication methods.
As part of your Gap Year experience, you may have an opportunity to undertake Stage 1 of the Maritime Warfare Officer Course (MWOC). MWOC covers a range of subjects including but not limited to:
- simulation training
- navigation principle
- mariner skills
- bridge work
- seamanship training
- boat work
- risk management
- engineering module
- watchkeeping
- warfare theory
- Officer of the Watch (OOW) duties.
MWOC places for Gap Year officers are limited, and your participation will be subject to availability and Navy requirements.