On January 5, 1971, as the Vietnam conflict was spreading to Cambodia and Laos, the first-ever One Day International was being played at the MCG between Australia and England, and a Bolivian man stood trial for stabbing the Pope.
But to a young Commander Peter Teichmann, it was the day he joined Navy.
By the end of 1971, then-Seaman Teichmann had deployed to Vietnam during the war, as a freshly qualified supply sailor, or 'storby', on board the River-class destroyer escort HMAS Swan.
Fifty-four years later, his long Navy career has come to end.
Over the decades, he has covered many roles in the permanent force, as a reservist, and on fixed-term contracts, illustrating not only the changes in Navy but also the evolving opportunities for service.
After serving at sea on earlier versions of HMA Ships Brisbane, Stalwart and Hobart, he moved into the former Work Study branch.
In 1989, he commissioned as an officer and took on a variety of roles at Navy Support Command Sydney, including the functional design of the Fleet Sports Centre and the Fleet Base East carpark.
In that role, he brought in major changes to Navy's training.
Commander Teichmann had responsibilities covering roles in the Navy Sport Council, Navy dragon boating, occupational health and safety investigation, Defence family support, domestic violence policy, Defence recruiting and seaworthiness.
He also contributed to the government's response to drought and COVID-19, and wrote many of the foundational documents for Navy's cultural change program, New Generation Navy.
'There is a better emphasis in the 2025 Navy on only doing things if they can be shown to work.'
Along the way, Commander Teichmann found time to run his own corporate health and fitness business and was the National Coaching Director at the Australian Institute of Sport for sports aerobics.
Reflecting on his long and varied career, Commander Teichmann noted that things had changed a lot, and he was proud to have been a part of it.
"When I started in 1971, Navy life was a lot tougher. The training was tough and demanding, we were at war in Vietnam and most people joining up expected to go to a pretty brutal war," he said.
"There were no women serving at sea, and the culture of Navy life had kept centuries of tradition that went back to the Royal Navy, but we had not evolved our culture much beyond that.
"We used to get shouted at all day, every day. Now I only shout if I am in a noisy environment, as there is a better emphasis in the 2025 Navy on only doing things if they can be shown to work.
"Probably the biggest change I have seen was reflected in the Chief of the Defence Force's video message late last year, where he spoke about harnessing the innovation that comes from our grassroots sailors, soldiers and aviators.
"My final role was in Navy Innovation, supporting and recognising the genius that our sailors and junior officers can bring to the table if they are properly supported, and I think while this is not the only requirement of a truly modern navy, it is an essential requirement."
Head of Navy Capability Rear Admiral Stephen Hughes acknowledged Commander Teichmann's outstanding service.
"Commander Teichmann has served Navy with distinction over decades - the Navy he joined is very different to the one he leaves," Rear Admiral Hughes said.
"It is fitting that his last posting in Navy Capability Division was focused on our future, encouraging our people to innovate to improve our capability at the water front."
