Australian Sea Trainer Awarded as Top Instructor

Instructor of the Year On-the-Job for 2103, Warrant Officer James McEwan was presented with his award at Garden Island, Fleet Base East on Friday 18 July.

As the Fleet Gunnery Assistant for Sea Training Group from February 2011 through January 2014, Warrant Officer McEwan trained ships’ companies in close range and small arms gunnery, boarding parties and force protection.

Training Force recognises two people for Instructor of the Year annually with Warrant Officer McEwan being awarded for training people in their workplace.

With the Royal Australian Navy for 30 years, Warrant Officer McEwan said he was pleased to have won the award even though he had just been doing his job.

“Knowing I had some input into a ship’s unit readiness is a highlight. However, going that extra mile to get a ship to mission readiness was also very satisfying.

“Sea Training Group provides the ship with an external set of eyes to set bench marks and rate a ship’s preparedness. This is generally conducted early in a work-up to tailor the training where it is required most. I encouraged ships to set themselves goals and to strive to reach those goals within the work-up time frame.

“It was not just significant for me, but my family also recognised that the time I spent away from home was worthwhile,” he said.

Upon presenting the award, Commodore Michael Rothwell, Commodore Training, said he was very pleased to be recognising Warrant Officer McEwan’s significant contribution to Training Force, and his tremendous role in bringing 15 major fleet units to unit readiness and seven to mission readiness.

“Warrant Officer McEwan is an exceptional Warrant Officer and instructor, and well deserving of this award. In a period of high operational tempo, he actively sought responsibility and a lead role in the planning and implementation of the procedures necessary to assure the Fleet’s readiness to fight and win,” Commodore Rothwell said.

“He regularly embarked in target vessels to provide on-the-spot direction, mentoring and training of boarding teams. Warrant Officer McEwan was able to generate and execute realistic mission-specific training within the short timeframe available, and as result, Sea Training Group were able to meet training schedules, whilst ships were well prepared.”

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Press Release, July 28, 2014; Image: Australian Navy