Lifestyle, support and good people
Ensign Brittany Glanfield, 20, grew up in Auckland and spent holidays in the Coromandel. She loved the beach and surf lifesaving, but she wanted to be an engineer. She has now combined both loves through the Royal New Zealand Navy’s Tangaroa Study Scheme.
“It’s been my dream job since I was 12 to do something mechanical-based,” she says. She attended Rangitoto College from Year-9 to -13, and applied to join the Navy as a marine engineer officer in 2016. Candidates need to hold or be in their final year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) or Bachelor of Engineering Technology, but you can be accepted via the Tangaroa Scheme. It means you undertake junior officer common training, then study full-time while on a salary as a junior officer.
“I was very excited about it,” says Ensign Glanfield. “It’s the opportunity to do your training and be able to study full time, while wearing the uniform and be part of the New Zealand Defence Force.” While waiting for her officer’s course to start, she was able to get a head-start and complete a semester at the University of Auckland.
During semester breaks, she gets shore-based postings to different engineering departments. “You stay very connected to the Navy. I’ve just finished the first semester of my second year. It will take four years in total.” She was promoted to Ensign after two years.
She wears her uniform during classes, something that causes curiosity. “It’s university life and study, but in uniform you stick out a bit. People are very interested, and ask me about it.”
She enjoys staying in Navy accommodation in Devonport. “I love the community, I live with other Tangaroa members and junior officers. If I need help with course work, my friends are right there to help. It’s like a family.”
Officers have a career manager, who help with courses and postings. After completing her degree, she will be promoted to Sub-Lieutenant and posted to a ship for six months’ experience. She then undertakes further study in the UK or Australia, specialising in marine engineering. Back in New Zealand, there is more on-the-job training to achieve Marine Engineer Officers’ Charge Qualifications, meaning she can take sole charge of a ship’s Marine Engineering department. In the future, she can undertake a Master’s degree, and register as a Chartered Engineer.
Given the chance, she would definitely highlight the opportunities offered through the Defence Force. “It’s the people, the lifestyle, the full time study and the support you get. I still kind of kick myself.”
She would eventually like to get a posting in recruiting, to guide others looking at an engineering career. “I’m definitely going to stay in this. It’s only been a couple of years so far, but I have already been involved in so many amazing opportunities and experiences.”
