WOET Naldrett-Jays 45 years in service

45 years in the Navy

In 1974, it could be said that Naenae College student Mark Naldrett-Jays was ready to move on from school. He had completed four years at college, and was looking at his options. He remembers someone suggesting the Navy would be an avenue towards obtaining a trade.

After a lot of water and sea postings later, last month the Chief of Navy awarded Warrant Officer Electronic Technician NaldrettJays his second clasp to his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. It signifi es 45 years of service in the Royal New Zealand Navy. WOET Naldrett-Jays says as a teenager he was flown to Auckland on a C-130 Hercules with a large number of other trainees. He joined BCT 75/1 with around 180 others.

“It was an eye-opener, turning up, with a whole lot of new people who you’d never seen before in your life. You’re in dormitories with 30 other people. But I enjoyed the camaraderie of basic training.” He has evolved as the trade evolved. Initially a weapons electrical mechanic, he then specialised as a radio mechanic, which in time became re-branded as electronic technician. Today, he is a posted to the Fleet Engineering Authority, part of the LC(M) organisation, in the Subject Matter Expert role of Marine Superintendent Communication and Electronic Warfare. His sea postings and deployments are a long list, he says. “I’ve enjoyed every posting I’ve had. They’ve always been good to me, and I’ve always enjoyed myself. I joined to go to sea, and I still enjoy going to sea.” He has just finished a two-year posting with HMNZS CANTERBURY, including missions to Australia, the Sub-Antarctic Islands and the Kermadec Islands.

In 45 years, the biggest change he has seen are in the advances in technology. During his initial training all the equipment was valve technology. The late 1970s saw rapid advances, particularly with the arrival of HMNZS MONOWAI. He was posted to her as the maintainer for the Navy’s new solid state hydrographic survey equipment. Forty-five years seems to have “snuck up on me”, he says. “When 20 years came around I thought, yeah, that would be enough. But I still enjoy the life. Twentyfive years later, I’m still here.” Two of his former classmates from 75/1 are still serving: Commander Muzz Kennett, and Chief Petty Officer Communications Technician Darby Allen.

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Our People

1. Military Assistant to the Minister for Veterans, LTCDR Andrew Lincoln, and Military Assistant to the Chief of Defence Force, CDR Colleen Smith, at Pukeahu National War Memorial. 2. MIQF Manager LTCDR Jodi Greenhalgh celebrates a “significant” birthday while on duty at a COVID isolation facility, courtesy of hotel staff there. 3. Recent recipients of Long Service and Good Conduct awards. From left, (1st clasp): CPOMT(P) Tony Dunn, LTCDR Paul McMichael, CPOET Craig Flintoff, CDR Martin Walker, WOMT(P) Danny Paton, WOMT(P) Desmond Rangiwai, WOET Shane Menzies, (2nd clasp): WOET Mark Naldrett-Jays. 4. Personnel from HMNZS TE KAHA in Esquimalt, Canada, organise a Physical Training fundraiser, raising $800 for the Victoria homeless shelter.

5. The funeral service for former CPOWTR Jill Thompson, Womens Royal New Zealand Naval Service, at St Christopher’s Chapel. 6. Chief of Navy RADM David Proctor claps as Monique Jellick is promoted to Chief Petty Officer. 7. LTCDR Sam Williams is among the instructors and students planning flights for the T-6 Texans as part of the Flying Instructors Course. 8. The Ship’s Company of TS ACHILLES pose for a photograph during their Change of Command ceremony. 9. NZDF Maori Cultural Adviser WOSCS Jack Rudolph confers with Principal Chaplain Pete Olds and former Chief of Navy Jack Steer during the 75 th anniversary of VJ Day, at Pukeahu National War Memorial in Wellington. 10. Defence security guard Peter Vandermade with his designer face mask at Devonport Naval Base. 11. CDR Fiona Jameson returns the symbol of command of HMNZS OTAGO to LTCDR Ben Martin, following her temporary command of OTAGO during workup and Operation Calypso.