Sixty-four recruits have completed ten weeks of initial naval training at HMS Raleigh and formally joined the Royal Navy during a pass-out parade attended by the Second Sea Lord.
Vice Admiral Paul Beattie inspected the Gould 25/14 intake inside the base’s drill shed after poor weather forced the ceremony indoors. The recruits will now move on to specialist training in roles including submariner, aircraft handler, chef, warfare specialist and seaman specialist.
The Navy stated that Admiral Beattie, appointed Second Sea Lord and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff earlier this autumn, toured the training establishment before the parade, meeting personnel from Nelson 25/19 who are still undergoing their initial training and holding a town hall session with service and civilian staff.
The service said the highlight of his visit was presenting each recruit with Royal Navy epaulettes. The organisation added that several awards were also handed out, including the Captain’s Prize to Aircraft Engineering Technician Khinvasara as the best overall Phase One trainee, and the Ganges Trophy to the Gould 25/14 Starboard Class for maintaining consistently high standards. HMS Raleigh’s Base Warrant Officer, WO1 Gaz Head, received his first clasp to the Long Service and Good Conduct medal for 25 years of service.
The ten-week course is designed to instil discipline, teamwork, leadership and core naval ethos while introducing recruits to drill, kit maintenance, sport and the basics of naval life and operations.
There’s a lot of Lords on here this week ! 🤔😉