Degree: Computer-Aided Mechanical Engineering at Glasgow Caledonian University
I started at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) in May 2021, learning the fundamentals of being an officer in the Royal Navy and culminating in the assessments ABLE (Assessed Basic Leadership Exercise) and MARL (Maritime Leadership Exercise). While at BRNC I also completed 6 weeks Initial Sea Time (IST) onboard HMS ARGYLL. This was an eye-opening experience for me as it was my first time on a warship.
After commissioning out of BRNC, I studied the Systems and Engineering Management Course (SEMC) 2A at HMS SULTAN. This phase of training covers the basic elements of Marine Engineering such as diesel generators, gas turbines, sewage systems and refrigeration plants onboard a variety of platforms from MCMVs up to Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.
I then completed 3 months Common Fleet Time (CFT) onboard HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH where myself and my peers met the ships at Naval Base Norfolk in the United States of America before spending a week in the heart of New York City and culminating in a trip to Oslo in Norway. During these operations I learned more about life onboard a warship across all the different departments and getting a hands on experience in what is expected of people onboard. It also gave me the opportunity to get up close and see first hand a Lockheed Martin F35-B Lightning.
I returned to HMS SULTAN to complete SEMC 2B. Where 2A looks at the basic engineering principles, 2B looks more in depth in electrical theory and management of a Marine Engineering department onboard a ship. At this stage of training I also completed a number of required Career Courses like Junior Officers Leadership Course (JOLC 1) and ISSC (Intermediate Sea Survival Course).
My Specialist Fleet Time (SFT) was spent onboard HMS RICHMOND. The aim of SFT for all Young Officers is to focus on your specific department and to develop and practice the skills of required of a Naval Officer. The aim of my SFT was to gain the necessary watchkeeping competencies from the most junior position to the most senior watchkeeping position. My time on HMS RICHMOND saw me participate in pre-operational training and visits to places like Falmouth, Rotterdam, Sweden, Estonia and the Middle East in high-tempo operations protecting merchant vessels transiting the Red Sea.
The final part of Phase 2 training is the Marine Engineering Qualification (MEQ). This is an intense 9 week course at HMS SULTAN which summarises everything you have learned over your entire training period to that point. This is assessed with a written exam and a 4 hour oral board with a Commander as board president, a Lieutenant Commander as vice president and a Lieutenant as junior board member.
The next stage of my career on completing Phase 2 training is now to return to a ship as a Deputy Marine Engineering Officer (DMEO) on an Frigate / Destroyer (FF/DD) or a Section Engineering Officer (SEO) on a capital ship. This will be my first role in a management position and will allow me to work towards my Marine Charge Qualification (MCQ). This will then allow me to act as the Marine Engineering Officer (MEO) on an FF/DD or Senior ME on a capital ship.
