Navy STEM programme launches Upper Hutt student into medic career

Ordinary Medic Davies, 18, from Upper Hutt, recently graduated from her 13-week Basic Common Training (BCT) course at the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland and said she was now looking forward to studying to become a Medic.

The former Upper Hutt College student says she first got interested in the Navy when she applied for and was selected in the Navy’s School to Seas programme.

Aimed at female Year 13 students who have an interest in science, technology, engineering and maths, the week-long programme at the Naval Base gave the students a taste of Navy life and the range of career options available. 

“That was all it took for me,” said Ordinary Medic Davies. “The experience was so good, I came home and put my application in immediately.” 

To fill in the time until her BCT course started, she worked as a swimming teacher and volunteered as a surf lifeguard.

She found aspects of the course challenging, particularly adjusting to the lifestyle change, but the end result has been more than worth it, she says.

“The learning and growth I’ve had on this journey has been huge. I’ve been out of my comfort zone at times but have pushed myself and developed into the type of recruit I wanted to be - so graduating was really special.”

And that’s the message she would give to anyone thinking of a career in the Navy, or any of the armed services.

“Anything worthwhile is worth pushing yourself for. No matter how hard something is, it does get better and you’ll come out a far better person than what you went in as.”