"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 NavyThe role of a Weapons Officer and Operations Room OfficerHow career college training (like supply chain management) applies to naval serviceEvolution of military culture: mental health and family supportWork-life integration during deploymentEducational pathways through Royal Military CollegeWhat it takes to succeed in a demanding operational environmentKey Moments: 03:00 - Why join the Navy? The power of paid education and career pathways for young Canadians05:00 - Inside the operations room: Technical trades, career progression, and coordinating complex warfare operations07:00 - Career advice: "The job can be as rewarding as what you want to put into it" - making the most of military opportunities08:00 - Culture shift: How the Royal Canadian Navy has evolved its mental health and family support services since 2013Read the full transcript here: https://share.descript.com/view/4AkDLnqUlFJ Explore a career in the Royal Canadian Navy⁠: https://forces.ca/en/naval-experience-program/