Plymouth - HMS Vivid

Military experience

Commander Ian Pethick joined the Royal Naval Reserve at HMS Vivid in 1989 as a member of the Seaward Defence Branch. He was promoted to Sub Lieutenant the following year and continued in the branch until its demise in 1994 when he transferred to the embryonic Logistics Specialisation. During this time his civilian career took a steep change as he left NatWest Bank after 10 years to read for a Bachelor of Arts and PGCE at the College of St Mark & St John in Plymouth. On graduation he took the opportunity to work as an Instructor at Churchtown Farm an Outdoor activity centre for people with disabilities.

Promoted to Lieutenant in September 1996, in that November he began an initial 6-week contract working for COMUKTG in the build up to the Ocean Wave deployment. This led to him undertaking the role of Deputy Group Logistics Co-ordinator embarked in HMS Illustrious for the 9 month 23-ship deployment that included the hand over of Hong Kong to China. On return to the UK he accepted a 2-year FTRS commitment as a Personnel Selection Officer at HMS RALEIGH and 3 months later was selected to become the first RNR Officer to lead a RN Phase 1 training division. He completed the Reserve Officers Staff Course in 1998.

Continuing as a Divisional Officer until 2001, when he moved over to the RN Supply School to establish RNR Logistics Training. Within 6 weeks he was mobilised to run a Forward Logistics Site in Oman as part of Op Veritas after the 9/11 incident. Returning to the school in 2002, he now manages and instructs Forward Support Logistics Training at the Defence Maritime Logistics School and manages RNR New Entry Training. He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in March 2004.

Throughout his time on FTRS he has continued to take an active part in RNR events. He was selected to be Guard Officer of the Royal Guard on Horse Guards for the RNR 100 celebrations and continues attending HMS VIVID. He has consistently maintained his annual Operation Capability Training commitment managing Forward Logistics Sites in Joint and Maritime Supply Chains and in 2006 he undertook an operational tour with the Yemeni Coast Guard working with them to improve their logistics capabilities.

In September 2006 Cdr Pethick was appointed Head of the RNR Logistics Specialisation as SO1 OC Logistics and was selected for promotion in Sept 2009.