Two inseparable Navy mates, who began their officer careers together, have now been promoted together at the conclusion of an Indo-Pacific regional presence deployment in HMAS Hobart.
Acting Sub-Lieutenants Lachlan Ferry and David Lee are fondly known around the ship as Fez and Lez. Shipmates describe them as brothers in arms.
The junior officers work together on the bridge and hang out together whenever there is an opportunity.
Acting Sub-Lieutenant Ferry said they met in a Facebook group for new entry officer candidates (NEOC) before joining their class, NEOC 64.
"We then met in person for the first time in Sydney before heading to HMAS Creswell, where we both ended up being placed in Rankin division," Acting Sub-Lieutenant Ferry said.
"I got the nickname Fez in high school and it's followed me since. However, the crew gave Lez his nickname due to how much time we spent around each other on board.
"Lez and I have very similar personalities. Both quite cruisy but switch on when required, we are both into personal fitness and have similar career aspirations."
Acting Sub-Lieutenant Ferry wants to specialise as a mine-warfare clearance diving officer. Acting Sub-Lieutenant Lee is deciding between the same role, principal warfare officer and navigator.
Both sub-lieutenants grew up in Sydney and joined the Navy straight out of high school.
"We happened to be two of four high school leavers on course who chose the direct-entry path for our role as maritime warfare officers and were placed in the same division," Acting Sub-Lieutenant Lee said.
"Fez and I enjoy the same music, share an identical sense of humour and we are the classic, ideal gym buddies."
They left Australia in September as midshipmen and were promoted on arrival in Cairns early this month.
Acting Sub-Lieutenant Ferry said being promoted together was a good way to book-end their deployment as they had been together for the majority of their training.
"We have come quite far together in regards to ability and competency," he said.
