A diverse group of 67 Australians graduated as officers in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) at RAN College, HMAS Creswell.
For the 15 women and 52 men taking part in the graduation parade, the completion of New Entry Officer Course (NEOC) 45 marked the end of 22 weeks of initial training at RAN College.
The class NEOC 45 includes new officers hailing from Wollongong and Moruya on the New South Wales South Coast. Several graduates first joined Navy as sailors via the popular gap year program, before applying to become commissioned officers. One has even spent a decade working in Japan as a computer game programmer.
One Midshipman, Chanelle Smith , was inspired to don the uniform and become a Maritime Warfare Officer after attending a friend’s Navy graduation parade.
“ Seeing the transformation of so many young people, the way in which they carried themselves and the professionalism that was displayed; words cannot describe. I applied to join immediately the next day,” Midshipman Smith said.
Reviewing Officer for the parade was the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs .
Creswell ’s Commanding Officer, Captain Brett Chandler , watched the graduates develop as naval officers over the period.
“I’m very proud of what they have achieved in their time here,” CAPT Chandler said.
“The graduates have faced challenges, formed bonds with their fellow students, pushed their limits, and grown as people, as well as officers.”
During the five-month course the graduates have trained in areas such as leadership, seamanship, naval history, physical fitness and weapons handling.
“Today is a proud moment for the graduates and their families, and I wish them the best of luck in their careers as Navy’s future leaders,” CAPT Chandler said.
The new officers will now move on to the next stage of their training, specialising in fields including aviation, training, engineering, ship command, logistics, medicine and dentistry.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, December 02, 2011; Image: navy