HMS Raleigh is the Royal Navy's largest training establishment in the South West with a main site covering 239 acres.
HMS Raleigh
Navy News digital edition
Part of the Flag Officer Sea Training organisation, Raleigh provides a diverse range of training. This training ranges from the ten-week initial induction for all new rating recruits to specialist training in areas such as seamanship, submarine operations, logistics, military and board and search skills.
First class resources are used to make training as realistic as possible. A decommissioned minesweeper, the former HMS Brecon, provides recruits with their first taste of life onboard ship. The vessel is also used for seamanship training, board-and-search training and to give trainee chefs and stewards the opportunity to experience life in a ship’s galley. Other facilities include extensive rifle ranges and a sinking ship simulator used to teach sailors vital skills to deal with an emergency at sea.
As well as the main site, HMS Raleigh consists of a ‘sea sense’ training centre on the River Lynher, Pier Cellars, close to Torpoint in South East Cornwall and Gutter Tor refuge on Dartmoor, both of which are used as a base to conduct leadership and team-working exercises.
On a typical day there could be around 2,000 people on site, which includes Royal Navy and civilian staff based at HMS Raleigh and personnel under training. HMS Raleigh also provides training for Royal Marines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel and members of the Royal Navy Reserve. The base is home to the National Sea Cadet Training Centre and the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth.
COMMANDING OFFICER
- RANK:
- Captain
- JOINED:
- 1980
- SPECIALISATION:
- Logistics
- PREVIOUS UNITS:
- HMS York, HMS Fearless
Military experience
Stephen Murdoch joined the Royal Navy as a supply and secretariat officer in 1980.
He served in HMS London, RFA Diligence (stationed permanently in San Carlos Water in the Falkland Islands) and HMS York, during the first Gulf War.
Other drafts include supply officer of HMS Gloucester for two years and Commander Logistics on assault ship HMS Fearless.
Appointments ashore have included assistant secretary to the First Sea Lord, military assistant to the Assistant Chief of Defence Staff and executive assistant to the Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff.
Promoted to Captain in 2006, he was appointed as the Chief of Staff in the Joint Supply Chain, an organisation comprising over 6500 personnel and charged with delivering transportation requirements for MOD personnel, storage and movement of equipment and spare parts, procurement of a variety of commodities and disposal of equipment and items no longer required by the military.
Other drafts include supply officer of HMS Gloucester for two years and Commander Logistics on assault ship HMS Fearless.
Appointments ashore have included assistant secretary to the First Sea Lord, military assistant to the Assistant Chief of Defence Staff and executive assistant to the Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff.
Promoted to Captain in 2006, he was appointed as the Chief of Staff in the Joint Supply Chain, an organisation comprising over 6500 personnel and charged with delivering transportation requirements for MOD personnel, storage and movement of equipment and spare parts, procurement of a variety of commodities and disposal of equipment and items no longer required by the military.
Before taking charge of HMS Raleigh, Capt Murdoch served as the executive assistant to the First Sea Lord for two years.
A keen sportsman who has been involved in rugby union for most of his life, playing for too long before coaching for a number of years and then retiring to the stand.
He was appointed President of Royal Navy Rugby League in 2008 and is by choice a keen golfer and, by necessity, a regular gardener.
He is married to Alyson and they have one daughter and one son, both currently at university; their family home is in Somerset.
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TAKE A LOOK
Image Gallery
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Initial Naval Training (Ratings)
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Initial Naval Training (Ratings)
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Initial Naval Training (Ratings)
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HMS_Raleigh
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Capt Steve Murdoch the Commanding Officer of HMS Raleigh salutes as the white ensign is lowered on the day
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HMS Raleighs Senior Dental Surgeon Surgeon Commander Paul Moore showing visitors the role of a Royal Navy dentist
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Leading Regulator Gareth Brazendale taking the fingers prints of Becky Ball who is with her mum Louise from Plymouth
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Lucy and James Folley from Torpoint try out a Royal Navy survival raft
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Members of the public take a look around the weapons handling rig in the Royal Navy Submarine School
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The Band of Her Majestys Royal Marines Plymouth perform the finale
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Visitors are shown how Royal Navy recruits are taught fire-fighting techniques
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Volunteers are checked out by a Ministry of Defence police sniffer dog
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VT Flagships Debbie Crossan and her daughter Emma take part in the design a warship competition
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Recruits briefing the Secord Sea Lord on the hazards at the fort using a map they have made
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The Second Sea Lord chats to the trainees undergoing Exercise Bright Diamond
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The Second Sea Lord chats to the trainees undergoing Exercise Bright Diamond
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The Second Sea Lord inspecting the latest recruits to pass the Initial Naval Training Course
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The Second Sea Lord inspecting the latest recruits to pass the Initial Naval Training Course
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CPO Mark Craddock carries the ceremonial key signifying the Freedom of the Town
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Sailors from HMS Raleigh stand to attention ready for inspection.
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The Parade formed up at the ferry lanes in front of the Commanding Officer of HMS Raleigh, Captain Steve Murdoch, and the Mayor of Torpoint, Councillor Eddie Andrews
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The Mayor of Torpoint, Councillor Eddie Andrews reviews the Guard of Honour made up of new recruits undergoing their initial naval training at HMS Raleigh.
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Councillor Eddie Andrews and Captain Steve Murdoch take the salute as the parade makes it way back through Torpoint.
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The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth lead the parade through the streets of Torpoint
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The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth lead the parade through the streets of Torpoint
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The Guard of Honour make their way through the streets
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Father David Yates conducting the Armistice Day Service.
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A bugler from the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth plays the last post.
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Standing side by side members of the Algerian and Kuwaiti Navies and Royal Navy personnel.
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Royal Navy and civilian personnel stand to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
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