Sunday, July 21, 2013

Royal Navy Recruits pass out of training at HMS Raleigh

Another post on John's Naval, Marine and other Service news

Royal Navy Recruits pass out of training at HMS Raleigh

Saturday, July 20, 2013

By REBECCA RICKS Defence Reporter @RebeccaRicksTH

STANDING in line the recruits of Cornwell Division were given the order they have been longing to hear for the past ten weeks.

"For the final time... dismissed!"

Throwing their caps into the air proud family and friend clapped and cheered marking the end of Royal Navy basic training for the 52 passing out.

From a starting division of 61, those passing out battled with the sweltering heat as they stood on HMS Raleigh's parade ground for more than 90 minutes yesterday afternoon.

They were inspected by Rear Admiral John Westbrook as their family and friends looked on.

Of the four The Herald has been following over the past two and a half months, three made it to the end.

Chris Kennedy, Jordan Nethercot and James Pernett came through the challenges to move forward with their careers in the Royal Navy.

Speaking after the parade, Divisional Training Officer Warrant Officer Dickie Bays said the Port and Starboard classes had been "above average".

"It's been emotional but we've made it. I think they have been an above average group – I will see them in the Fleet."

Beaming Kathleen Kennedy, mum to Honicknowle recruit Chris, said: "Seeing him on parade was fantastic, I was very proud."

Former Army soldier, Chris, said: "It was lovely, it was a bit much in this heat but it's all done now.

"Training was completely different to what I expected and completely different from the Army.

"It's been really good but I can't wait to get out of here if only for a few days."

James Pernett, from Ivybridge, also had his family proudly watching on.

He said: "It [training] has been intense, I have enjoyed it, at the times when I was struggling I just wanted it to be over but now it is over it's a bit sad."

Dad Steve added: "He has had some challenges but he came through them, I think he has grown in confidence and even an inch in height but how he's done that I don't know. I'm very proud of him."

Jordan Nethercot, from Torpoint, said he was "relieved" basic training was now over.

"It's a good feeling to be out of basic training, it was more stressful than I had expected, not so much hard but just stressful – I'm relieved it's over with. "I was a bit non-plussed about the pass out until I marched out and I was like this is pretty cool actually."

All three of the local recruits to pass out will now move on to Phase Two training where they will learn more about their specialisations.

James and Jordan will train to be Hydrographic Meteorological Oceanographic Specialists and Chris is set for a life under the waves as a Marine Engineering Submariner.

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Sunday, July 21, 2013