Our Speaker by Zoom today was Commodore Peter Scott, CSC, RAN (Retired) who told us about lis life as a submariner, and how he came to write his memoirs:  ‘Running Deep. An Australian Submarine Life.’

The book contains many of his experiences, near-disasters and struggles for success, but no “top secrets”. 

He described Australia’s submarine fleet and their role, which involves surveillance and intelligence gathering, stealth and destructive offensive power over a wide area.

Over a decorated 34-year career, Commodore Scott served in 10 submarines, passed the most demanding military command course in the world and served as the Head of Profession of the Submarine Arm of the Royal Australian Navy. During that time his character was forged by the challenges of naval service, success and failure as a leader, catastrophic onboard disasters while dived, and life-threatening traumas. Along the way, he also endured personal battles with self-doubt, addiction, depression and anxiety

After he retired in 2017, he felt that these experiences could serve as inspiration for future submariners. 

 It took a number of years to organise his thoughts, and considerable self-analysis and reflection as he outlined the things that governed his life:

• Survival: entailing determined and well-trained comrades, rather than “luck”.
• Leadership: inspiring others to deliver, and to belong to the group.
• Resilience: the requirement to be willing, the ability to recognise challenges and find the resources to survive. 
• Relationships with others, how these can wear out and later be re-made.

In writing his memoirs, he had to gain several new skills: not only in writing, but dealing with publishers and publicity, and to take advice from others. Although he did not consider his career extraordinary, it offers an insight into a rare existence, The process involved him in a journey of discovery, and the acceptance of who he is today.

Commodore Scott fielded the usual curly questions from our members:

“Loose lips sink ships” - should we be revealing the state of our submarine fleet to the world?  He described how our current fleet capabilities are continuously updated, and is an effective deterrent.

The recent discovery of wrecked submarines: he described his experiences and feelings in this area.

The differences when we go nuclear: this will make only small changes to life on board, as all systems except the propulsion will be similar to existing systems. 

Communication with the shore: this is mainly from shore to sub, to avoid detection of the source of the signals.

How the crew members are selected: by volunteering. Crew members are people who relish the challenge of working in extreme conditions alongside similarly motivated and skilled seamen.  

Chairman of the day Ian Bentley thanked Commodore Scott for his enlightening dissertation. 

About Commodore Peter Scott, CSC, RAN (Retired)

Peter Scott joined the Royal Australian Navy as a seventeen-year-old Midshipman, hopeful but uncertain, and over three decades rose to be the  professional head of the Navy’s elite: the Submarine Arm. During that journey, he served among the dedicated crews of the most highly specialised capability in any Navy in the most complex and demanding environment on earth: the undersea battlespace.

He survived and led others through at-sea fires, floods and explosions, and passed the most demanding military command course in the world, Perisher. Peter commanded the longest deployment ever conducted by an Australian submarine and led the Arm through an unprecedented period of expansion.

In all, he served in ten submarines and twenty different command and leadership appointments over thirty-four years. A veteran of multiple Special Operations with the Submarine Arm, he also saw war service in Iraq, the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan during 2006 and 2007.

He was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service in the Australia Day Honours List 2008, having previously been decorated with the Conspicuous Service Cross for achievements in command of HMAS Collins.

Peter holds a Master’s degree in Coaching Psychology from the University of Sydney and now works as an executive coach to help leaders develop, perform and succeed. He has recently authored a memoir, published by Fremantle Press, on his naval and submarine service - ‘Running Deep. An Australian Submarine Life.’

When not writing or coaching, Peter can be found on the trails running ultra-marathons or relaxing at home with his family.