Navy Officer finds maritime value in aviation degree

Sub Lieutenant Cody Crump, from Glenfield, is doing his first year of a Bachelor of Aviation Management, having previously completed one paper while serving at sea.

He applied via the Defence College’s Targeted Tertiary Study Scheme (TTSS), open to any member of the RNZN who has served a minimum of three years.

“I joined the Navy in 2016 partway through year-13, aged 17, as a Seamanship Combat Specialist,” he says.

“A military life was quite attractive. There were the standard reasons – being paid to travel, that sort of thing, but I liked the idea of a structured work environment.

“I commissioned from the ranks, having conducted JOCT 21/02. I then completed the Officer of the Watch (Basic) course in 2022. I subsequently spent 15 months posted to HMNZS Taupo as a ‘Bravo’ watch keeper, and a Boarding Officer. I did one university paper while at sea and then applied for full time study.”

TTSS Applicants are required to first research what is required to achieve their qualification, and then submit an application before a board for review.

He has a passion for aviation and had funded himself through Private Pilot Licence training.

“The Bachelor of Aviation Management focuses on some business aspects, diving deep into human factors in aviation, aspects of cognitive ergonomics, and how humans interact with equipment in stressful environments. Ideally, learning outcomes for these courses aim to improve safety in aviation, through the use of theoretical models. A lot of this I can apply to my role as a watch keeper, and I’m hoping to get enough knowledge that I can come back to the Navy and apply this to risk identification and safety management.”

It is a three-year degree. His first year is funded but at this point, he doesn’t have follow-up funding. He will return to the Navy after semester two, continuing his Warfare Officer training.