‘We need people like you’: Royal Navy welcomes future leaders as officers complete training

After up to 29 weeks of demanding instruction at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth – most undergoing a transformation from civilian to sailor – they formally passed out in front of friends, family and senior naval officers.

The Navy’s senior operational commander – Vice Admiral Andrew Burns who oversees the day-to-day actions of all Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel as Fleet Commander – was guest of honour.

“We live in a perilous world and as a Service we must respond to the challenges to our nation’s security, also with confidence – and that means we need people like you that can offer leadership of the highest quality,” Admiral Burns said.

“There is no greater commitment than to serve your country, and to lead others to do the same.”

The admiral took the salute not just from 148 Royal Navy but also 16 international officers, all of whom had successfully completed their demanding training, while a vintage T6 Texan training aircraft from Navy Wings and a front-line commando Merlin Mk4 helicopter from 845 Naval Air Squadron flew overhead.

Among the 148 new Royal Navy officers – including 17 men and women selected from the ranks and 13 warrant officers promoted to lieutenants – were two chaplains, including the Navy’s first non-Christian chaplain, Hindu Bhanu Attri.

Originally from Himachal Pradesh, the 39-year-old has undergone a slightly different course from other cadets: six weeks of officer instruction, including sea survival, four weeks at sea aboard frigate HMS Iron Duke and three weeks focused on the role of a military chaplain.

“To become the first ever Hindu chaplain in the Fleet is a profound honour,” Bhanu said. “As a Hindu brought up in India the chance to represent individuals from other diverse religions brings meaningful representation for the Hindu community and reflects the Navy’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and spiritual care for all.

“My family feels immense pride, a pride grounded in generations of faith, service, and resilience.”

Chaplain, warfare specialists, engineer or logistician, Briton or overseas cadet, all cadets who joined from civilian life went through Initial Officer Training which teaches the basics of serving in the military, such as drill and uniform, through the fundamentals of leadership, seafaring, naval history and strategy.

In addition to extensive time in the classroom and on the parade ground, cadets head out on to Dartmoor to learn/develop leadership and teamwork skills, spend time at sea aboard an operational warship, and conduct training on specialist Vahana boats on the River Dart and in the English Channel.

Sub Lieutenant Stephanie Winter now moves on to Worthy Down near Winchester to complete her training as a logistics expert.

“Officer training has highlighted the importance of working as a team, putting everything into the major leadership exercises on land and sea.

“Although these were the hardest times, they have also been the best because we all put everything we had into the exercise to pass, creating a great feeling of camaraderie.”

Budding Air Traffic Controller Midshipman Madison Bone has also been struck by the strong bond complete strangers have forged at Dartmouth – “seeing everyone cheer each other on through the highs and support each other through the lows.” The 29-year-old continued: “It’s been a steep learning curve, and I’ve surprised myself with what I have achieved.

“The highlights were the endurance course at the Commando Training Centre and going to Gibraltar.”

Midshipman Samuel Butler from Nottingham aged 24, who will become a warfare officer, found his sea time with destroyer HMS Dragon particularly useful.

“Getting the chance to join the fleet for the first time and live at sea was an incredible experience. Especially gratifying was the getting to take part in NATO’s Exercise Formidable Shield and see the operations room in action.”

All the successful cadets had now earned a place in their respective navies, Captain Andy Bray, Captain Britannia Royal Naval College, told them.

“Commissioning into the Royal Navy is a moment none of us forget, and it has been a privilege to follow these officers through their training,” he continued.