Eight sailors made history at HMS Temeraire – the first to qualify as Royal Navy physical training instructors straight from civilian life.
Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Martin Connell presented coveted branch badges to the eight successful candidates – and their nine colleagues who passed out via the traditional route for joining the Navy’s PT branch.
The latter began their Naval careers in other branches, such as engineering, warfare or logistics before deciding upon a change.
That route remains open to sailors who fancy switching branches, but now people can join the RN directly as a clubz – as Physical Training Instructors are affectionately known – from civvy street, just as they would becoming a diver, seaman specialist, or chef for example.
Once they’ve completed their basic military training to convert them into sailors at HMS Raleigh in Torpoint, they head to the School of Physical Training at HMS Temeraire in Portsmouth.
To mark completing the demanding 26-week Physical Training Qualifying Course to join a proud family, rich in tradition and tireless in the pursuit of excellence, the 17 successful candidates laid on a dazzling afternoon of acrobatics, club swinging, vaulting, rope climbing and even a short comedy sketch.
Around 100 family, friends and Royal Navy VIPs attended the passing-out parade at the home of NAVYfit in Portsmouth, which started with a vibrant video clip showing the progression of the candidates from recruit to qualifying and ended with the award of certificates and prizes.
The thrilling displays showcased the physical excellence of the Service’s PTIs – and what they had learned over their six months of instruction – before they go on to influence and inspire members of the RN throughout their careers, at sea and ashore.
“The display is a great way of showing families what they have been up to over the last 26 weeks,” explained course leader Petty Officer Physical Trainer Adrian Barker.
“It’s been a privilege to watch the 17 qualifiers passing out grow over the past 26 weeks and I look forward to hearing about the great work they will no doubt get up to in the Fleet.
The newly-qualified clubz will now be assigned to bases, units and establishments throughout the UK.
The successful candidates were: LPTs Solomon, Makepeace, Benson, Everitt, Shannon, Neale, Molloy, French, Davis, Ryan, Blacklock, Utton-Smith, Hussell, Munden, Donaldson, Hutchin and Clark.
Pictures: Keith Woodland
