It was always Emma’s dream to join the Navy and she credits BWA’s now retired career adviser, Andy Primmett, with helping her achieve it.

She said: ‘I joined the Navy in 2016 as I'd always been keen to get involved in flying after watching the Red Arrows when I was younger. The school’s career adviser showed me a flyer from the Royal Navy which showed that I could get a degree whilst doing my military training. Finishing training was the culmination of nearly five years of assessment. Completing the final simulator sortie was a massive relief, knowing that all the hard work had paid off.’

She trained to become a helicopter observer with 824 Squadron at RNAS Culdrose and she will now fly as part of a four-strong crew on Merlin Mk 2 helicopters, protecting aircraft carriers.

She said: ‘The hardest part of training was learning how to hunt submarines without putting any sound in the water and the best was the secondary roles phase, which were exciting sorties where you had the freedom to enjoy the process of learning. 

‘I'm looking forward to finally having the chance to do the job I've been working and training for for the last five years. It is exciting to think we are finally qualified to fly on our own and trusted to operate such a complex piece of machinery.’

To read earlier stories about Emma and her evolving career click:

BW alumna returns to offer career advice

Former BWA student awarded Queen's Commission

The sky's the limit for former student