Much is said about a woman’s touch and recently appointed operations officer on board the Armed Forces of Malta M’s Maritime Squadron, Lieutenant Audrey Aquilina, has strong ambitions to introduce a new service in the Maltese armed forces, which will combine both her love for social work and for the military.

Lieutenant Aquilina, who was appointed operations officer on board the new Maritime Squadron’s Diciotti-class flagship P61 in February, is one of two female officers at Maritime Squadron. She is now in charge of all Rigid-Hull Dinghy (RHIB) and law enforcement operations, gunnery and skill-at-arms training onboard and helicopter operations.

Her previous post included shore-based duties as the Maritime Squadron’s Integrated Logistics Officer, where she was responsible for stores’ management and procurement, the base armoury and ensuring that all AFM surface assets and base party divisions had the necessary equipment and items for the smooth running of all operations.

“In my previous job in logistics and supply, I was mainly involved in purchasing equipment and ensuring that it arrived on time,” explained Lieutenant Aquilina.

However, she expected to make a move from an office-based job to an operational one, as her naval training military qualifications skills required it.

“One of the duties of this job is to ensure that everyone on board is working in safe conditions.

I was only appointed four months ago and I am still learning,” she said.

Lieutenant Aquilina explained that her new responsibilities would now include those of bridge management, Officer of the Watch duties and training of the 31 Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and seamen who form part of the 35-strong crew.

Lieutenant Aquilina is the first woman to be given an appointment on board an AFM maritime patrol vessel, and will pave the way for others in the future.

Along with the rest of the crew, she is undergoing training for future flight operations where a helicopter would land on the ship.

“It is something really exciting and yet terrifying at the same time. This job means that I am more operational and working out in the open instead of being in the office,” she said.

While out on patrol, she has come across many different situations – including search and rescue or picking up irregular immigrants.

Lieutenant Aquilina is the first Maltese officer to successfully complete the basic initial officer’s training course at the Britannia Royal Naval College of Dartmouth in the UK, successfully passing out in August 2005.

She began her career as a reserve in the AFM in January 2001 with the Emergency Volunteer Reserve Force (EVRF) at Charley (Special Duties) Company of 1st Regiment AFM, based at Lyster Barracks, Hal Far.

She was later selected as Officer Cadet with the Regular Force in November 2003.

“None of my family worked with the AFM but I was always interested in all the services, such as the Police Force, Civil Protection Department. However, I was always more attracted to the army.

“When I began as an AFM Emergency Volunteer reservist I thought it would satisfy my wish to form part of the services. However, as time went by I became more and more involved,” she said.

Furthermore, she added, she was encouraged by AFM directing-staff who told her that she had a potential career in the army.

“While I was still a reservist at 1st Regiment’s C (Special Duties) Company, I was in my fourth year at university reading for a degree in social work.”

Lieutenant Aquilina explained that those who wish to join the AFM must apply before they turn 23 or before 25 if they have a university degree.

“During my last year at university I decided to give it a shot and apply – I was 21 at the time,” she said. “Luckily, my application was accepted”

Lieutenant Aquilina said that both the AFM and the University of Malta gave her great support while finishing her fourth year.

“I was exempted from a number of lectures on campus to continue training with the AFM and vice versa,” she explained.

After she completed the course, she started working as a part-time social worker with Agenzija Appogg to receive the warrant.

“Since I am working part-time with Appogg, I will receive the warrant after four years and not two,” she explained.

Her thesis discussed social work in the military – a theme that is very close to her heart.

“When I enlisted in the AFM, I thought that social work and the military did not have anything in common. However, as time passed I realised that soldiers are human beings too and are also in need of help,” she said.

Soldiers have problems too – they suffer from some bullying, occasional victimisation and various stress, she said.

Furthermore, like anywhere else in the world, there is a fair degree of domestic violence among soldiers and police officers – and Malta is no exception, she said.

“I strongly believe there is a need for my work – and in the future I hope to be able to offer an in-house service similar to that of a families and welfare officer,” said Lieutenant Aquilina.

She aims to offer a service that is similar in part to what is usually offered abroad by army chaplains of various religious faiths.

“I believe that soldiers should be able to come and speak to me about their problems. I cannot run such a department single-handedly, so if they do not feel comfortable speaking to me as a uniformed member of the Force, they can opt to speak to someone else,” she said.

Obviously, she added, it will be impossible to offer all the services in-house so referrals will be made to the appropriate agencies such as Sedqa or Caritas, for example.

“This is a soldiers’ welfare facility that is sorely needed in the AFM. It will not only strengthen the army members and their families but will also help the AFM become stronger as no doubt it will imply that fewer members will be medically excused for family, emotional or work-related stress,” she said.

In the meantime, she has to keep up with her friends, family and boyfriend.

“In order to make time for everyone and everything, I had to give up some of my hobbies,” said Lieutenant Aquilina.

“For example, I love diving but I can’t remember the last time I went,” she added.

Although there might be a perception that women in the army might find it harder to make it because it is a male-dominated sector, Lieutenant Aquilina said that it is not the case.

“I never experienced any form of harassment, or was given a hard time because I am a women. I did not have to work twice as hard to prove myself but I still did because that is the way I am,” she said.

At the end of the day, added Lieutenant

Aquilina, it all boils down to respect.

“I strongly believe that everyone can learn something from everyone and if people respect each other then there will not be any problems,” she said.

“One of my most memorable experiences was when I took pastries on board recently to celebrate my birthday,” she said.

“I purposely did not tell them when my birthday was but in one way or another they found out and asked me to get a cake or pastries. However, I was glad I did because when I served them to the crew, I honestly felt I was part of the whole team,” she said.