It has been a five-month adventure of travel, new friends and innovative training for one Royal Australian Navy sailor on board USS Emory S. Land.
Originally from Burwood, Sydney, Seaman Electronics Technician - Systems Leanne Rogerson always had a keen interest in circuitry and fixing things, and did many engineering-type subjects during high school.
She never imagined it would lead her to embarking on the Emory S. Land and travelling to a US island territory in Micronesia that she knew very little of.
Joining the RAN in 2021, Seaman Rogerson commenced her initial training at HMAS Cerberus, followed by her electronics technician-category training before posting to HMAS Cairns.
Soon came what Seaman Rogerson thought might be the opportunity of a lifetime and she quickly volunteered to spend five months on a personnel exchange program integrating with the US Navy.
The chance to travel, and being able to work and learn alongside US Navy and RAN members, quickly made up her mind and also led to her first underway at sea.
The program took her to Guam where she went aboard Emory S. Land, a submarine tender that provides maintenance, hotel services and logistical support to submarines and surface ships.
Of the experience, Seaman Rogerson said the training was incredible.
"There is so much clear detail and guidance through the training that anyone could pick up immediately where someone else has left off and they would know immediately what the next step was," she said.
'I get to work on and repair unique hardware, but my favourite part of my job is the people.'
Some of her other highlights included sharing slang with her US counterparts who sometimes feel as though 'Australian' is like a different language.
While being part of the exchange meant being out of contact from her six siblings with no WiFi while at sea, Seaman Rogerson said she would still encourage others to join, as she felt the experience taught her about adaptability.
"This experience has been amazing and that is the thing about Navy roles, you work in environments that you may never work in at another job," she said.
"I get to work on and repair unique hardware, but my favourite part of my job is the people.
"The friendships I have made since joining over two years ago, and in particular the past five months, has been a real highlight for me."
Seaman Rogerson said she was looking forward to further developing her skills, knowledge and expertise with her US counterparts as they continue their deployment.
