He has spent the past month on board replenishment ship HMAS Sirius as part of Exercise Bersama Lima.

He enjoyed rugby in his old local haunt, Rooty Hill RSL, and supported the Mt Druitt Dragons before he joined the RAN in 1978 with plans to travel the world.

Mr Harrod was initially a marine technician but later became a steward.

He is now a Naval Police coxswain and helps maintain the discipline of navy personnel.

He is the Sirius ship co-ordinator and has a big input into what happens on board.

``My job on board Sirius is very challenging and there is a lot to deal with at any given time,'' Mr Harrod said.

Mr Harrod's deployments include the Gulf War in 1990, Timor in 2002, Bougainville in 2003-04 and Iraq in 2005.

He recently experienced his 38th trip to Singapore and has travelled to Hawaii, Hong Kong, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia and the South Pacific.

``I love the job because it is a challenging and rewarding career and I get to do it in all parts of the world,'' he said.

``All the deployments I have been a part of have been highlights in addition to being promoted to a chief petty officer.''

Mr Harrod lives in Perth, has been married for 27 years and has three children.