Blenheim student wowed at career possibilities during Navy camp

Marcus, in Year 12 at Marlborough Boys’ College, was one of 39 senior college students who attended the Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN) “School to Seas” programme during September and October at Devonport Naval Base in Auckland.  

The separate tane and wāhine four-day camps showcased Navy life and career options across a multitude of marine disciplines. 

The students were able to meet sailors, explore career pathways and take part in experiences designed to challenge them and open their eyes to possibilities once they finished school. 

Activities included a powhiri at Te Taua Moana marae, ship and base tours, rides on Waitematā Harbour in a Navy rigid-hulled inflatable boat, seeing how recruits lived and worked, and hands-on practical tasks at the Sea Safety Training Squadron – where the students donned firefighting equipment to tackle a set fire, before facing the challenges of the Navy’s flood simulator.

Marcus says he has a legacy of family in the armed forces, including both parents in the NZDF and ancestors who served in both World Wars and Vietnam.

He said it was an eye-opener to appreciate the scale of Navy warships below and above water, and how much infrastructure existed at a single Navy base. 

“School to Seas was an unforgettable experience,” he said.

“From speeding down the Waitematā on the RHIBs, touring HMNZS Otago, and experiencing flooding in the damage control simulator."

“That last was the best – we were put into a mock warship and as water flooded in you had to try and slow it down before eventually escaping.” 

But it wasn’t just being immersed in water; it was the total immersion of the Navy environment that was his biggest highlight.

“Since I was about 14, I’ve wanted to join the Navy. So being able to talk to people about something I was so interested in was very positive for me.

“The camp was action-packed and it really helped me understand better the structure and standards of the NZDF.

“I can see a career for me in the RNZN, full of positive opportunities, good people and something to look forward to and be excited for every day.” 

For more information on School to Seas visit nzdf.mil.nz/school-to-seas(external link)