Motorcycling and An Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

The following link was sent to me very recently by a member of my intake, the 24th Collins - July 1968 to June1969:

http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/PIAMA29.pdf

After my initial 12mth period I was selected to remain behind for officer pre-requisite studies. I wanted to be a navy pilot, well all teenagers did - didn't they...unfortunately my vision was not up to standard and this made me ineligible for Seaman Officer training as well, couldn't wear glasses on the bridge as Officer Of the Watch. I could be a Supply Officer, but they had too many at the time. I was sent off to the fleet for common sea training as a young 16 year old sailor and a few months later was sailing to Vietnam with troops and equipment.

Many years later - "Australia’s freedom to employ boys on operations ceased on 20 October 2002 when
the Australian Ambassador to the United Nations signed the Optional Protocol to the
Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict." (pg 116 of the link)

I returned to HMAS LEEUWIN to complete the officer pre-requisite course in 1971, was commissioned as a Supply Officer, subsequently specilising in the early years of administrative computers installing integrated logistic support systems around the country. For numerous years I experienced OCPD health issues and made the tough decision to leave the RAN in 1983. Arriving in New Zealand I ironically worked for Australian Foreign Affairs and Trade. Unfortunately, and from left field I was diagnosed with a degenerative condition in my cervical spine and had to undergo microscopic surgery to remove bone from several vertabrae in 1997. The spinal condition and my OCPD necessitated medical retirement in 1999. I count myself very fortunate to be able to ride a motorcycle, albeit for shortish periods at a time.

Like many lads that passed through the RAN's Junior Recruit Training Establishment, some may say we experienced 'the good, the bad, and the ugly', and for many of us it was all good. I'll never forget, as a young junior officer meeting a gathering of some of the original Junior recruits that served in the Tingira. This was the RAN's first boy sailor training vessel, in Sydney harbour before and during World War One. It was a pleasure and honour to meet these gentlemen, and though some 60 to 70 years separated us in age, we still shared a common experience as boy sailors and that was readily apparent when we shared ditties (stories) of our early training days.

I trust you will enjoy reading this bit of history: http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/PIAMA29.pdf