I always put the increase in skin on my head down to console time. The more time you did, the more hair you left with the headset...

On departing DARWIN in 1987 I was promoted to Petty Officer and joined HMAS WATSON as the FFG Combat Data System Instructor. Subsequent postings were HMAS ADELAIDE, HMAS STIRLING and USN exchange for 2.5 years to Fleet Combat Training Center Pacific in San Diego, California. During this exchange I was fortunate enough to undertake 9 months onboard the ARLEIGH BURKE destroyer, USS BENFOLD.

On the home front, I remarried in 1994, have two young children (James 3 & Thomas 5) and very much enjoy living in Rockingham WA. I was promoted to Warrant Officer in January 1999 and currently manage the Combat System Trainer Van at HMAS STIRLING.

My most favourite memories of my time on DARWIN were the rugby matches played up and down the West Coast of the United States. Memories of those after game festivities more than compensate for the aches and pains I now feel in my knees.