111216-International warfare Officer Course

The Initial Warfare Officer (Foundation) course, known locally as IWOF is the professional course undertaken by warfare officers normally after passing out from initial officer training. Delivered at Britannia Royal Naval College the fourteen week course concentrates on development of navigation and maritime skills along with enhanced, continued academic studies.

The present course, which commenced in September, includes an international student for the first time. Sub Lieutenant Nathan Milky of the Bangladesh Navy leapt at the opportunity to enhance his training before returning to his native country.

Nathan Baker Milky is a former student of the Comilla Cadet College in Bangladesh where he admits to an influence towards his present career in the navy being due to the college principal being a former captain.

“As I came to leaving school I had the chance to study electrical engineering at university but decided I wanted to join the Bangladesh Navy. To be honest the opportunity for travel appealed to me,” Nathan confessed.

In January 2009 he joined the Bangladesh Naval Academy for the two-year course which combines physical fitness, leadership training and academics. He graduated as top cadet in December 2010. It was then he learned he had been selected to attend BRNC, the first Bangladesh Navy cadet to do so since 1994.

“I was very excited when I learned I was coming to BRNC but quite emotional too as I am representing both my service and my country. I knew it was a huge privilege to get the chance.”

Nathan arrived at BRNC in January this year to undertake the Initial Officer Training course. He had studied English at school but received no additional language training before starting alongside his Royal Navy counterparts.

“Speaking and learning in English all the time is quite tiring,” said Nathan “but the biggest shock was the temperature change. I left home on January 8^th and it was 22 degrees to arrive in Dartmouth where it was only 3 degrees!”

Sub Lieutenant Milky’s performance throughout initial training was of an extremely high standard and he modestly attributes that to all the staff in the college.

“I am a long way from home and all the staff and cadets have been so generous in their support and guidance. Everything is designed to prepare you for the next stage, including the tough physical training. You just have to be open to that” he commented.

The Initial Fleet Time which takes up most of the second stage of training saw Nathan join HMS Ocean. When the ship was diverted to Op Ellamy off Libya the contingent of international cadets disembarked to pursue an alternative programme.

“Although we were disappointed to leave Ocean we were quickly occupied and visited a variety of platforms and learned so much in the process,” he explained. “The highlight for me though was to shadow the Commanding Officer for a day. I was able to achieve that in HMS Ocean and Captain Andrew Batten was so interesting to talk with and gave me lots of advice.”

It was after the Passing-out Parade in August that he learned there was the possibility to follow the IWO(F) course in September.

“I went home to see my family during summer leave and then found myself returning for continued studies and the role of Senior International at BRNC. I could hardly believe it. The young officers on course have been a terrific support to me and so patient too.”

As the Senior International Sub Lieutenant Milky has been encouraging and supporting the other international cadets under training. He has organised additional rule of the road and navigation training sessions and to improve language skills he has organised debates on a variety of subjects including the respective merits of the English and Spanish football leagues.

As this term’s IWO(F) course draws to a close Sub Lieutenant Milky’s counterparts are preparing to move on to HMS Collingwood for the next step and to specialist fleet time working towards their Bridge Watch-keeping Certificate. Nathan will return home with a similar professional aim.

“I have made friends from all over the world during my time at BRNC and to be honest I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. I am so looking forwards to returning to Bangladesh and getting the opportunity to share my experiences and disseminate the knowledge I have gained during my year here.”

The IWO(F) course has developed over recent years and is fully accredited through Plymouth University. It forms part of the intention for RN young officers to have the opportunity to gain a first degree through training. Incorporating all the elements of the training pipeline for young officers a foundation science degree in maritime studies can be awarded on completion of the Initial Warfare Officers Course at HMS Collingwood, on average after 2 years. The service then supports a distance learning package to enable an individual to progress to an honours degree.