UK: HMS Collingwood Welcomes Kings College CCF

Kings College Combined Cadet Force (CCF) experienced a taster of Royal Navy life when they visited HMS Collingwood, Fareham, Hampshire recently.

Seven cadets accompanied by Leuitenant Keith Marsay made the journey from London to the Phase 2 training establishment in Fareham, Hampshire to witness life in the modern services for the day.

Their programme saw the visitors spend the morning in the Bridge Simulator where cadets were put through a challenging ‘Thursday War’ scenario, a colloquial name given by the Royal Navy to the major war-fighting exercise with various situations that are designed to test a ships company’s ability to react and deal with any encounter.

Cadet Thomas Vanderstickele commented on his experience in the bridge simulator,

“Its pretty amazing in here, I can’t believe how realistic it feels; the motions are just like being on a ship.”

Terrible weather caused an alteration to the programme and the cadets weren’t able to put their team building skills to the test at the Royal Navy Leadership Academy.

Warrant Officer Rosie Dodd was only too happy to accommodate the cadets the Communications School to demonstrate ship’s systems onboard Type 23 Frigates.

HMS Collingwood is the home of the Maritime Warfare School which contributes to the operational capability of the Fleet by providing first class training to all officers and ratings of the Royal Navy in their professional specialisations which include, Weapon Engineering, Communications, and Warfare.

The training they receive is relevant, agile and flexible in order to keep pace with the challenging operational needs.

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Press Release, July 22, 2013; Image: US Navy