Captain Philippa Hay joined the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in 1993 at HMAS HuonTasmania and graduated from the Australian Defense Force Academy in 1995. During naval officer training, she was selected for the US Navy Exchange and deployed to the USS John Young (DD-973) as part of the Middle East Force.
Captain Hay held positions in the Tactical Development Group, leading the tactical advancement of anti-submarine warfare, and RAN Experimentation, developing future ASW capability.
Captain Philippa Hay
In 2010, Captain Hay joined HQJTF639, the Australian Defense Force’s contribution to maritime security, where she was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for her role as Director of Operational Plans.
In 2015, she was appointed Executive Officer of the HMAS naval base coonawarra and joined the Fleet Combat Staff where she was promoted to Commander and Chief of Staff in August 2018.
In January 2019, Captain Hay was the first commander of Task Force 637, Australia’s regional engagement mission in the South West Pacific. Most recently, Captain Hay deployed as Chief of Staff Commander Task Force 635.3, for the first Star-led Royal Australian deployment to the South China Sea and Pacific in 20 years. She was promoted to Captain to perform the duties of Task Force 635.3 Commander and Task Force One RIMPAC Commander.
Captain Hay holds a Bachelor of Science (double major in Chemistry). She also holds a graduate degree in education. She is a graduate of the Institute of Company Directors, a graduate of Next Generation Female Executive Leaders, and a strong advocate for boards of directors and nonprofit sports organizations.
In November 2020 Captain Hay assumed command of HMAS Moreton and as Senior Naval Officer, South East Queensland.
She was recently in India, in Visakhapatnam, as part of the Indo-Pacific Endeavour, one of Australia’s major regional engagement activities.
In an email conversation with His historyshe traces her career in the Royal Australian Navy and talks about the challenges as a woman in uniform and more.
Edited excerpts from the interview:
HerStory (HS): Can you tell us about your early years?
Captain Phillipa Hay (CPH): I grew up in Hobart, Tasmania. Hobart sits on the River Derwent, the gateway to the Southern Ocean, and is famous for being the finish line of the ‘Sydney to Hobart’ yacht race.
Sailing, whether on dinghies, racing yachts or cruising, is very popular and competitive in Hobart. I went to ‘The Fahan School’, a fabulous school for girls whose founders believe in educating girls to the highest standards in the humanities, sciences, maths and languages. Sports and outdoor education have played a huge role in our school life. I was, and still am, involved in summer and winter sports of all kinds, with a love for field hockey. I was attacking. These days I’m made for tactics, not speed, so I’d rather be a fullback.
HS: You come from a family of sailors. Can you tell us about your travel experiences since the age of ten? And how has it shaped your personality and broadened your horizons?
HPC: My parents had a 42-foot yacht, which my father built. We spent weekends racing and almost every holiday on ‘Beyond’. When other families were driving or flying to a destination, we navigated. As a teenager, I skippered a 12-foot canoe, with a crew of two boys. Of the 13 dinghies in the squadron, I was one of only two girls sailing and the only female skipper. My freshman year was brutal. I capsized almost every race because my crew was too light, the winds were too strong and I didn’t know how to handle the boat well. We gave up more races than we finished. At the end of the year awards evening, I received a prize: a toilet seat, for the most capsizing. So after that disastrous first year, I had to take stock and get back on track. I spent pre-season getting out on the boat with just my dad and I, learning, listening and training. By the end of the second year, I was finishing all the races and even managing a few places (much to the chagrin of the boys!).
Sailing is both exhilarating and challenging. You are subjected to harsh weather and the frigid southern seas and have to deal with challenges such as breaking rigs, capsizing, tangled sails and collisions (luckily only in dinghies!) with other racers, and finally trying to win. At the end of the race, you come home, cold, tired, and you have to derig the boat, wash, pack up and hope there’s still hot water in the showers.
All the lessons I learned while sailing, I apply them to my life. Never give up. Complete the challenges and keep going until you cross the line.
HS: What prompted you to join the Royal Australian Navy (RAN)?
HPC: I joined the Navy when I was 17 and went to the Australian Defense Force Academy. Obviously, my life associated with the water made joining the Navy an easy choice. I like being in the ocean, the adventure, the challenges and working in a team. Navy ticks all of these boxes.
HS: Tell us about your career in the Navy.
HPC: At the Defense Academy, I studied chemistry alongside my military studies. After graduation I spent the next two years studying navigation and seamanship to become an officer of the watch and second in command of a patrol boat and a high speed catamaran (definitely a highlight of “navigation” at 42 knots).
I have played roles in training, future military capability, operations ranging from peacekeeping to border security and exercises, and have operated with nations throughout the South Asia region in the Pacific. The highlight is serving with the most amazing, young and smartest Australians, all of whom volunteer to serve, and going overseas to interact with other Marines. There is a common bond between those who wear a military uniform, and it is an honor to be part of it.
Currently I am the commander of the Australian Amphibious Task Force. Together with the Commander of Australian Land Forces, Colonel Doug Pashley, we are privileged to lead the training, readiness and operation of the Australian Amphibious Force. It is extremely satisfying to see ships, aircraft, landing craft, sailors, soldiers and airmen working together to generate a cohesive amphibious force that can be deployed to the region to conduct a range of missions from humanitarian aid for evacuations and security operations.
HS: You are the first Australian woman to be appointed to command a multinational naval force in 50 years of complex combat exercises off the US coast. Can you tell us more?
HPC: Being Commander of Task Force 1 at RIPMAC 2020 gave me the opportunity to lead multiple task forces from so many different nations, across multiple platforms. It was complex, chaotic and challenging and it was a huge privilege.
HS: Can you tell us about your current visit to India as part of the Indo-Pacific Endeavour?
HPC: Indo-Pacific Endeavor is Australia’s flagship regional engagement activity. The activity aims to further strengthen important relationships and establish whole-of-government partnerships. Here in India, the task force and the Indian Armed Forces will participate in joint activities and training exercises in the areas of maritime law, humanitarian and gender relief, peace and security, as well as than military engagement. Strong cooperation, understanding and trust, and the ability to work with Indo-Pacific security forces are essential to sustaining an open, inclusive and resilient region, with ASEAN at its heart. Australia is committed to working with its Indian partners and building relationships within government.
HS: As a woman in uniform, what are the biggest challenges you have had to face so far?
HPC: When I got to 17, I went through the command’s well-structured training path. Women had only served at sea for a few years, so life at sea was not always pleasant for the few. Fortunately, many men could see that women were just as capable of serving at sea as men and supported us.
I had no deviation from marine life until I turned 30, when suddenly I was married, pregnant, promoted and selected for command. It wasn’t in the Navy recruiting brochure! Since then, the biggest challenge has been twofold. Debunking the myth of “work-life balance”. Balance means giving each side equal attention or effort. I’ve found that over the course of a day, a week, and a year, I constantly have to prioritize either family or work, but it’s never an even split.
The second challenge has been advocating for a change in policies that unnecessarily impede a woman’s ability to serve, especially with a family. Simple things like not having to take a fitness test for up to 12 months after giving birth and being able to access daycare close to work all alleviate stress that keeps you from serving your full potential.
HS: What more can be done to attract and retain women in the armed forces? What are the challenges on their way?
HPC: The women put on a uniform and want to serve. They want to be valued and know they are making a difference. By removing absurd political obstacles, you will get the most out of your staff. Policy change can be slow and requires advocacy. It takes a courageous hierarchy to commit to change, and not just talk, but walk.
HS: You’re also a strong advocate for boards and not-for-profit sports organizations. Can you tell us more about this aspect of your career?
HPC: Giving back to the community is very rewarding and enjoyable. In a world where volunteering continues to decline, there’s nothing more enjoyable than seeing an organization grow.
