Reservist submarine controllers’ skills put to test

Reservist officers hoping to control submarines have taken part in their annual validation exercise.

Members of the Royal Navy Reserve Submarine Operations specialisation headed to Gibraltar for their Command Post Exercise (CPX16) – a high-tempo scenario designed to test future submarine controllers on how to command and control NATO submarines in an escalating operational environment.

Based in RAF Gibraltar’s headquarters, the submarine control officers were joined by communications and information systems (CIS) reservists to test their skills communicating and routing submarines, and what to do in a submarine emergency.

Head of the Submarine Operations specialisation, Commander Brian Ramsay, said: “CPX is our annual opportunity to train and validate specialist submarine control personnel in a demanding, tailored exercise scenario.

"Travelling as a group to Gibraltar, with excellent operational and recreational facilities, was a great way for us to train together in a realistic environment.”

Reservist Submarine Operations officers deploy both on shore and at sea to augament Battlestaff teams as skilled subject matter experts.

Reservists are used whenever submarines are deployed with a naval task force – on NATO exercises or in a time of crisis - regularly deploying with multi-national task forces around the world.

Contrary to popular opinion the RNR Submarine Operations specialisation is open to all junior officers and ex-regular transferees - and you don’t have to be a submariner to join.

New joiners are fully trained on courses at the RN Submarine School and on NATO exercises.  Once qualified, officers deploy with a Battlestaff at sea as a Submarine Advisory Team Watchkeeper.