Two Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) members were welcomed to the cradle of the Navy recently, undertaking the new entry sailor course at the Royal Australian Navy Recruit School.
Ordinary Seamans Stallon Kuahen and Obadiah Orovea undertook the 10-week recruit training as members of General Entry 421 Shipp Division, covering core aspects of naval life from uniforms, ceremony and traditions, to basic ship duties, first aid, survival at sea and weapons.
The training exchange took place as part of the Defence Cooperation Program, which aims to build PNG’s defence capabilities, making long-term investments in PNG’s personnel, equipment and infrastructure.
The pair made the trip to Australia and joined the Royal Australian Navy Recruit School in February.
“The skills that I learned have helped me to be a better seaman,” Ordinary Seaman Kuahen said.
“It was good to do the things that we had only been able to read in a book, like survival at sea.”
Ordinary Seaman Orovea also learned a lot from the training.
“It means a lot to me to have completed the training in Australia,” Ordinary Seaman Orovea said.
“Now I am trained to go to sea and serve my country.”
Both members were well liked within Shipp Division, and developed well through the phases of training.
‘The skills that I learned have helped me to be a better seaman.’
“The training made me more confident,” Ordinary Seaman Orovea said.
“I didn’t think I would be able to do some things. I was afraid of doing the survival at sea exercise in the life raft, but now I believe in my abilities and can do these things.”
Ordinary Seaman Kuahen said the training helped him to appreciate how important teamwork was.
“During the mission readiness exercises, some of us wanted to give up, but we encouraged each other to get the job done,” he said.
Both members missed home during the training but found creature comforts in the galley, and made enduring friendships among their Aussie shipmates.
“I liked the food, especially the cakes, ice cream and yoghurt,” Ordinary Seaman Orovea said.
“But the most important thing about our training was making good friendships and learning to work together at sea.”
The Defence Cooperation Program has run since the 1960s and supports Australia’s Defence relationships with PNG, Indonesia, Timor-Lesté, the South West Pacific, Southeast Asia, Pakistan and the Middle East.
It aims to enhance interoperability between Australia, PNG and the other participating nations, in regional stabilisation, peacekeeping, disaster-relief operations and major projects.
‘The most important thing about our training was making good friendships and learning to work together at sea.’
Commanding Officer RAN Recruit School, Commander Ben McGrath, spoke of the relationship between Australia and PNG.
“The Defence relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea is founded on the basis of history and shared experiences,” Commander McGrath said.
“Many current PNGDF units trace their regimental history to Papuan and New Guinea units formed as part of the Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy, during and after the Second World War.
“It has been fantastic to have Ordinary Seamens Kuahen and Orovea form part of 421 Shipp Division, and to watch them graduate with our future sailors.
“We hope that friends who train together will stay together, and look forward to continuing to build our Defence relationship through the Defence Cooperation Program.”
