Marty Gillett

Lieutenant Marty Gillett currently serves in the Australian Navy as a Maritime Warfare Officer Submariner at the Submarine Training and Systems Centre.   He recently qualified with a Bachelor of Organisational Leadership which has helped Marty understand the difference between leading and effective leadership.

What was your UNE qualification/s?

Bachelor of Organisational Leadership.

Online or on-campus study?

Online.

How was your experience with UNE lecturers?

Overall, I loved the enthusiasm, professionalism and insight of the UNE lecturers. Specifically, though, I found them to quite accommodating of ADF members, allowing the concurrency of study alongside an active military career. This was particularly useful in a very, very busy posting, requiring university work to be consolidated into quieter periods, versus a regular, set schedule.

What was your reason for studying at UNE?

To increase in my leadership abilities, businesses management knowledge and to prepare for future studies in a similar discipline.

Your current job?

I am a Maritime Warfare Officer Submariner, currently serving as an Instructor at the Submarine Training and Systems Centre.

The personal qualities needed to do your job?

The job requires considerable mental agility, real-time analysis of the situation, whilst remaining focused on the mission, all while leading a highly specialised team towards the common goal. The more significant challenge, however, is ensuring the team remains properly motivated and applying the correct amount of concentration, despite the monotony of life at sea.

If you weren’t in this line of work, what do you think you’d be doing instead?

I am very passionate about the personal and professional development of others and effective situational leadership. As a result, I can foresee myself progressing further into leadership coaching and adult education.

Your advice for anyone interested in pursuing this type of career?

This line of work is incredibly challenging and requires unwavering determination to achieve it. My biggest advice is to work hard for what you want to achieve and be innovative in understanding how you can achieve it.

The biggest challenge and biggest achievement you’ve experienced in your work or life in general?

Qualifying a Submarine Officer on board the Collins Class Submarine. This took 15 months of training, after becoming a qualified Maritime Warfare Officer, and incredible amounts of research and study to learn every aspect of operating Submarines alongside and at sea. It culminated into a 2.5-hour intense board of assessment, where I was subsequently awarded my "Dolphins".

How has your UNE qualification aided you in your career?

My UNE studies have helped me to understand and approach my work in a different way, allowing me to approach situations with a business mindset.

Furthermore, it has helped me to understand the difference between leading and effective leadership. I have become a more attuned leader and manager, focusing on the development of my team, to enhance their effectiveness and lethality.

What inspires you inside work and outside work?

I am consistently inspired by the capability of my co-workers, friends and family and the wider community. I believe achievement is only limited by mental capacity and motivation, as anything can be achieved if your mind is set to it. Of course, there is always going to be restrictions such as legalities, finances or bureaucracy. This, I find, does not limit the sheer power of human will though.

Do you volunteer your time for a community project or organisation?

I volunteer as a Navy Cadet Instructor, as well as running a music club and an ADF sailing club.

In this time of Covid-19, how has the virus impacted your work?

I was reassigned to Operation COVID 19 Assist for 6 weeks, taking me away from my regular duties on the Navy Base. This involved me operating as a Defence Liaison Officer with the West Australian Police Force.

I loved the enthusiasm, professionalism and insight of the UNE lecturers...(and) I found them to quite accommodating of ADF members, allowing the concurrency of study alongside an active military career.