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Persistence with the pen wins Joseph essay award
13 November 2024
IF AT first you don’t succeed…
Marine engineer Joseph Hardiman re-wrote his submission for the Royal Navy’s annual essay contest ten times before finally handing it in.
His dedication – and persistence – were rewarded with the 2024 Lieutenant Commander Hooper Prize for the best essay by a member of the Service on a maritime subject.
The Portsmouth-based engineering technician beat 25 fellow essayists to take the title, impressing the judges with his exploration of the Royal Navy’s capability to operate independently in the southern hemisphere while unsupported by NATO or the United Nations.
The contest dates back to 1952 with a trust fund established in memory of Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey Hooper – and continued in more recent years by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. It is open to all junior ratings and aims to broaden both their essay-writing abilities and knowledge of current affairs.
ET(ME) Hardiman’s journey to winning the top prize is a result of his dedication and hard work – going far beyond the ten re-drafts of his words – plus the ability to access the RN’s Learning and Development Organisation (LDO).
Joseph joined the Royal Navy in 2019 after deciding not to complete his A Levels – he didn’t believe he had the capacity to turn his inquisitive academic character into results in an exam.
That mindset changed on his maiden deployment with HMS Queen Elizabeth amid Covid and lockdown, when he learned about opportunities for personal development – including becoming an officer.
Through study techniques to him at HMS Sultan, Joseph completed his professional training, but also gained the skills to attempt the academic work needed to provide a sound foundation for his aim of becoming an officer.
The analytical skills developed are so important for officers and translates to helping me perceive the world around me, how I engage with people I work with, understanding how politics are relevant to my job and especially demonstrates I’m capable of more.
“I entered the Lt Cdr Hooper Prize in 2022 but didn’t get very far as I didn’t really analyse the topic to the level I have this year,” Joseph said.
“Through the Royal Navy I have secured an A* in my English Literature A-Level and hope to get the same when I take the exams for History and later for Classic Civilisation.
He continued: “The Learning and Development Organisation provided an English tutor, have paid for my exams and I have used my annual £175 Standard Learning Credits to get extra tutor support to prepare me for my history exam.
“The analytical skills developed are so important for officers and translates to helping me perceive the world around me, how I engage with people I work with, understanding how politics are relevant to my job and especially demonstrates I’m capable of more.’
The facilities and a wide range of opportunities available in all the Learning and Development hubs, including those provided by the LDO Operations team to deployed units, are available to Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Maritime Reserve personnel.
“ET(ME) Hardiman has made excellent use of services such as access to tutoring, study skills and exams, all of which have helped him progress his career,” said Learning and Development Organisation operations officer Lieutenant Graeme Nolan.
“He will also be able to continue to access this support from the Learning and Development Organisation as he applies to become a warfare officer.”
Joseph’s winning essay can be read in The Naval Review. For further information about opportunities such as education for promotion, apprenticeships, Standard Learning Credits, GCSEs, A-Levels and resettlement, contact your local learning hub or, if you are deployed, speak to your education and resettlement officer.