Sea of Opportunities - Episode 17 "Operations Room to Ocean Crossing: What It Takes to Lead Naval Warfare" with Lieutenant Navy Buxton
On this special episode of the EdUp Canada Podcast, Sea of Opportunities, host Michael Sangster sits down with Lieutenant (Navy) Buxton, Weapons Officer aboard HMCS St. Johns, as the ship crosses the Atlantic on deployment.
With 18 years of service and nearly seven more to go on his current contract, Lt(N) Buxton shares his journey from a 19-year-old recruit to a senior operations room officer commanding critical warfare systems. He discusses why he joined (hint: paid university education at Royal Military College was a major draw), what keeps him serving, and his honest advice for anyone considering a naval career.
From 12-hour watch shifts to coordinating complex warfare operations, Lt(N) Buxton provides a rare insider's perspective on what leadership actually looks like in the Royal Canadian Navy. He also opens up about how the Navy's culture has evolved—with dramatically improved mental health supports and family services that make deployment more manageable for service members and their loved ones.
Whether you're a student exploring technical careers, an educator guiding workforce development, or a leader interested in modern military employment practices, this episode reveals why the Navy remains an attractive career option for skilled Canadians.
Key Topics:
Career progression and opportunity in the Royal Canadian Navy
The role of a Weapons Officer and Operations Room Officer
How career college training (like supply chain management) applies to naval service
Evolution of military culture: mental health and family support
Work-life integration during deployment
Educational pathways through Royal Military College
What it takes to succeed in a demanding operational environment
What to Expect
00:00 - Opening: "There's as much opportunity as you want" - Lt(N) Buxton on what makes a naval career rewarding
03:00 - Why join the Navy? The power of paid education and career pathways for young Canadians
05:00 - Inside the operations room: Technical trades, career progression, and coordinating complex warfare operations
07:00 - Career advice: "The job can be as rewarding as what you want to put into it" - making the most of military opportunities
08:00 - Culture shift: How the Royal Canadian Navy has evolved its mental health and family support services since 2013