Chief Petty Officer Brianna Murray took home a bronze medal after her Western Australian team finished third in the prestigious Queen's Cup at the Australian Rowing Championships in Tasmania from March 24-30.
The 2000m event is considered the most competitive women's race in Australia, with the West Australians finishing in 6min 29sec.
Chief Petty Officer Murray is believed to be the first ADF rower to receive a medal in the race.
"This race was full of Australian representatives and Olympians," she said.
"It's crazy when you're getting ready at the start line and you look over and there's a group of Olympic rowers who have succeeded in really high achievements.
"Even in our boat we had two Olympians - it's a very competitive field."
Her team also placed first in the open women coxed eight sprints with a time of 1.29.70 over 500m.
She also raced in the open women's quad scull and open women's single scull.
The weather was mostly sunny, but rowers faced headwinds on some days, which slowed race times.
"The winds make it a longer and more gruelling race and makes it a lot harder to push through the water," Chief Petty Officer Murray said.
The Western Australian team's goal for the next year is to improve on their third-place finish in the Queen's Cup.
Chief Petty Officer Murray plans to take a short break before focusing on the next racing season.
The next big event for ADF rowing is the Australian Masters Rowing Championships at Sydney International Regatta Centre in May.
"I train in the off-season to work on my weaknesses," Chief Petty Officer Murray said.
"A lot of strength and endurance training."
