Navy News
Direct from the front-line, the official newspaper of the Royal Navy, Navy News, brings you the latest news, features and award winning photos every month.
‘Stand ready to lead our Navy into the future’ – Dartmouth celebrates final pass-out parade of year
19 December 2024
Pride, passion and excitement were on display at the spiritual home of the Royal Navy’s Officer Corps today as 186 future leaders were welcomed into the naval family.
The nation’s most senior military leader, Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, took the salute at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth marking the end of the cadets’ transition from civilians to junior officers.
The parade marked the culmination of 29 weeks of intensive training for all those passing out: some 133 Officer Cadets from the UK and eight partner nations – Oman, Qatar, Lithuania, Ukraine, Thailand, Indonesia, Kenya and Bahrain – successfully completed the initial officer training course.
They were joined on parade by 26 officers from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the Royal Navy’s crucial support fleet, plus 16 Senior Upper Yardmen and 11 Warrant Officers promoted from the ranks.
Among the scores of officers passing out en masse, there was a personal touch for budding helicopter observer 27-year-old Midshipman James McDermott from the West Country.
He – and his comrades in Howe Division - marched around the parade ground to the strains of a bespoke four-minute written march by his father, the former Royal Marines Bandmaster at Dartmouth, Warrant Officer 1 Michael ’Mac’ McDermott: This Is Howe We Do It.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Britannia,” said James. “A major highlight was the assessed maritime leadership task, known as MARL.
“Being able to invest myself into a maritime military operation and bring together all the skills I have learnt summarises the strength of the training programme at the college.”
Former children’s sports coach Midshipman Emma Baptiste is determined to carve out a career as warfare officer.
“I chose to join the Royal Navy as it offers more capability to make a difference,” said the 24-year-old from Epsom in Surrey.
“Joining the Royal Navy is part of being a team and part of a larger family all working towards the same goal.”
She will now be assigned to Portsmouth-based destroyer HMS Dauntless to continue training as a warfare officer.
Midshipman Nicholas Reynolds is the first member of his family to join the UK’s Armed Forces.
“Training has been challenging and tough, especially the unforgiving weather on Dartmoor but it’s also been uplifting and challenging and very much worthwhile,” said the 20-year-old from Cheshire, who will join now frigate HMS Sutherland in Plymouth to continue his warfare officer training.
“To be aboard HMS Prince of Wales and have Chinooks flying above and HMS Dauntless to our side has been one of the highlights.”
Completing officer training at BRNC has built on my previous skills gained in the RAF and has opened a door to an extended career, meeting like-minded people and undertaking challenges only the Royal Navy can provide.
And 29-year-old Sub Lieutenant Kieran Cliffe from Bury in Greater Manchester joins the Royal Navy after a nine-year career already in the RAF. He switched Services to seize the opportunity to deploy around the world.
“Completing officer training at BRNC has built on my previous skills gained in the RAF and has opened a door to an extended career, meeting like-minded people and undertaking challenges only the Royal Navy can provide,” he said.
He will remain in Dartmouth to progress that career undertaking the Initial Warfare Officer course.
The College’s Commanding Officer Captain Andy Bray thanked both Cadets and their loved ones for the commitment and dedication to reach this point in their fledgling naval careers.
“My favourite thing about today is meeting and welcoming all the friends and families to Britannia Royal Naval College and introducing them into the naval family, as well as celebrating with me their loved one’s success and achievements.
“Joining the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary as an officer is a life-changing moment, one filled with excitement, anticipation and pride on a day they will never ever forget.
“Commissioning at Dartmouth still remains as special as it always has been and something which unites all of us. I am immensely proud of everyone passing out into our Royal Navy today, and I wish them all good luck.”
His words were underscored by Admiral Radakin, who himself stood on the same parade ground nearly 35 years ago at the beginning of his career which took him to head first the Royal Navy as First Sea Lord (2019-21) and now as Chief of Defence Staff.
He said: “Today you stand ready, ready to wear this uniform, ready to lead our Navy into the future, ready to serve your country come what may, it’s quite a transformation and quite a commitment.
“Today I say congratulations and also thank you, because the bonds of friendship you have forged here in Dartmouth will serve all our nations for many years to come.”
The newly-commissioned officers will now undergo extensive further professional training specific to their chosen branch or specialisation before embarking on their first ship, submarine, or aircraft to serve around the globe.