Degree: Mechanical Engineering at Aston University
I begin BRNC in September 2022, during which I completed 6 weeks Initial Sea Time (IST) onboard HMS RICHMOND, where we completed exercises off the south coast. My time at BRNC gave me an understanding of the RN, an increase to my fitness levels and helped me to develop my leadership style.
After gaining my commission from Dartmouth, I went to HMS COLLINGWOOD & spent 3 months on Systems Engineers Management Course (SEMC) 2A. This course taught me about the fundamental principles of radar, sonar, and communications as well as other modules on subjects such as above water weapons.
I then completed 3 months onboard HMS RICHMOND for my Common Fleet Time (CFT), where I experienced the lifecycle of a warship from maintenance periods to operations, learning from all departments onboard. I got to travel to Norway, Estonia & Sweden with the ship, places I had never been to before and hope to visit again.
Once I had completed CFT, I went back to HMS COLLINGWOOD for another 3 months on SEMC 2B & a selection of pre-joining trainings (PJTs). SEMC 2B focused on the policy, procedures, and management of an engineering department, whereas the PJT package involved instruction on sea survival skills, firefighting, & how to safely store explosives on ship.
It was then back to ship after this for my Specialist Fleet Time (SFT) onboard HMS IRON DUKE. The aim of this period at sea was to fully understand how a Weapons Engineering department works, meaning I worked closely with the management team to understand their priorities. During this time the ship underwent a training package, and I got to visit Belfast.
From here, it was back to HMS COLLINGWOOD to undertake my final examination to show that I am now ready to be a deputy head of department on ship. Moving forward, I am currently working in recruitment whilst waiting for my first complement job onboard ship. I have greatly enjoyed being on ship, as no two days are the same and the travel has been fantastic.
During my Deputy Weapon Engineering Officer (DWEO) job I will work to complete my Weapon Charge Qualification (WCQ), which will (hopefully) take around 18 months. By passing this I will prove I am ready to be the Weapon Engineering Officer (WEO) on ships up to destroyer size, or Senior WE (Snr WE) on a capital ship (aircraft carriers or Landing Platform Dock (LPD).
I joined the RN to travel A highlight of my time so far has been being able to spend a week at the Naval Outdoor Centre Germany (NOCG) where I did a multiactivity week of paddleboarding, klettersteiging & mountain biking. I have also been skiing and played at hockey development camps.
