HMS Example

Military experience

After gaining a degree in Management Science at Southampton University Chantal Strawbridge joined the Royal Navy in September 2002 prior to completing Common Fleet Time in HMS Chatham and Specialist Fleet Time in HMS Southampton.

Upon successful completion of Junior Warfare Officer’s Course she took up her first complement assignment as an Officer of the Watch in HMS KENT in February 2005 for a busy programme including post Upkeep trials, BOST, DCT and an Op TELIC deployment.

This was followed by PNO course and an appointment as the Operations Officer of HMS Mersey for 12 months of Fishery Protection, acting as the Navigator for 2 weeks out of every 6.

Reappointment to HMS Clyde as the Operations Officer for her first roulement in the Falkland Islands, coincided with her first winter visit to South Georgia. Returning for FNO course this was immediately followed by an appointment to HMS Kent in January 2009 as the Navigator at the start of her 5 month deployment work up.

This highly enjoyable appointment included DCT, a 6 month deployment to the Middle East in support of CTF 152 and Op CALASH prior to a very busy and varied programme of sea time in 2010, culminating in taking Kent into Refit in November 2010.

Joining the Navigation Training Unit at MWS Collingwood in January 2011 Chantal gained valuable teaching experience, primarily as the WECDIS course instructor as well as acting as the SME for NCHQ.

Upon completion of CODC, Chantal assumed Command of HMS Example, OiC of Northumbrian URNU in October 2011.

Chantal Strawbridge lives in Bath and enjoys horse riding, music, hockey, reading and spending time with her friends and family as well as attempting to develop an embryonic interest in decorating and gardening, but only when the sun is shining!