JJ CHALMERS INSPIRES STAFF AT HM NAVAL BASE CLYDE

FORMER ROYAL MARINE TURNED TV PERSONALITY JJ CHALMERS VISITS HMNB CLYDE Pictured: Lunch time pop up food bar hos Today, 31 Jan 2024, Former Royal Marine turned TV personality JJ Chalmers visited HMNB Clyde for the first “NED Talk”. Mr.Chalmers visited an Astute Class Submarine in the morning, followed by the first of 2 briefs on his life given to base personnel. A pop up food course was then on for lunch, and people took the opportunity to get together and speak to JJ about his life. Human performance encompasses a wide array of activities and influences every aspect of our daily lives, including our ability to handle everyday tasks and respond to emergencies or stressful situations. Recognising the multitude of factors that shape our individual and collective actions can significantly improve our efficiency and satisfaction, both in the workplace and in our personal lives. By understanding that mistakes are inevitable, we are better prepared to tackle setbacks. Acknowledging the critical importance of sleep shifts our perception from considering it a luxury to viewing it as a vital necessity. “Sleep is a weapon,” I was once told upon starting a FOST period, and like any weapon system, it requires proper maintenance. The first ‘NED Talk’ featured JJ Chalmers, a former Royal Marine Reservist, Invictus Games medallist and trustee, television presenter, and contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. JJ captivated a packed room in the Supermess with attendees from across Clyde, encompassing both civilian and military personnel at all levels. He began with his motivation for joining the Royal Marines Reserves, the challenges he encountered early on, and his experiences in Afghanistan with 42 Commando during Operation Herrick 14. It was there that JJ’s life was profoundly changed by a Taliban IED. With vivid [often uncomfortable] detail, he took the audience through his harrowing journey of recovery, illustrating how his and his comrades’ training came into play. *** Local Caption ***

FORMER ROYAL MARINE TURNED TV PERSONALITY JJ CHALMERS VISITS HMNB CLYDE Pictured: JJ Chalmers visiting an Astute Today, 31 Jan 2024, Former Royal Marine turned TV personality JJ Chalmers visited HMNB Clyde for the first “NED Talk”. Mr.Chalmers visited an Astute Class Submarine in the morning, followed by the first of 2 briefs on his life given to base personnel. A pop up food course was then on for lunch, and people took the opportunity to get together and speak to JJ about his life. Human performance encompasses a wide array of activities and influences every aspect of our daily lives, including our ability to handle everyday tasks and respond to emergencies or stressful situations. Recognising the multitude of factors that shape our individual and collective actions can significantly improve our efficiency and satisfaction, both in the workplace and in our personal lives. By understanding that mistakes are inevitable, we are better prepared to tackle setbacks. Acknowledging the critical importance of sleep shifts our perception from considering it a luxury to viewing it as a vital necessity. “Sleep is a weapon,” I was once told upon starting a FOST period, and like any weapon system, it requires proper maintenance. The first ‘NED Talk’ featured JJ Chalmers, a former Royal Marine Reservist, Invictus Games medallist and trustee, television presenter, and contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. JJ captivated a packed room in the Supermess with attendees from across Clyde, encompassing both civilian and military personnel at all levels. He began with his motivation for joining the Royal Marines Reserves, the challenges he encountered early on, and his experiences in Afghanistan with 42 Commando during Operation Herrick 14. It was there that JJ’s life was profoundly changed by a Taliban IED. With vivid [often uncomfortable] detail, he took the audience through his harrowing journey of recovery, illustrating how his and his comrades’ training came into play. *** Local Caption ***

HMS AUDACIOUS ARRIVES AT CLYDE HOME HMS Audacious, the fourth of the Royal Navys Astute-class submarines, has arrived at her new home at HM Naval Base Clyde. The new submarine and her 98-strong crew arrived at the Naval Base in Argyll and Bute today (April 7), flying the White Ensign after sailing from BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness. Welcoming the vessel to her new home were members of the Submarine Flotilla SUBFLOT based at Clyde. It is with great excitement that we welcome HMS Audacious to the Clyde, joining her three sister submarines, said Commodore Jim Perks OBE, Head of the Submarine Service. HMS Audacious represents an ever improving example of the world-leading Astute class submarine. She is right at the cutting-edge of technology, built here in the UK by our own people. She will provide the country with remarkable security at sea to protect our nations interests. HMS Audacious will join sister-submarines HMS Astute, HMS Ambush and HMS Artful which are already in-service and operating from Faslane. A further three boats named Anson, Agamemnon and Agincourt – are currently under construction at BAE in Barrow. The Astute-class vessels are among the most sophisticated submarines ever constructed for the RoyalNavy.

By Kim Hardie

MILITARY and civilian staff welcomed JJ Chalmers to HM Naval Base Clyde where he delivered the first in a series Human Performance Lectures in the HMS Neptune Supermess.

JJ, who is a former Royal Marine Reservist, Invictus Games medallist and trustee, television presenter, and contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, captivated a packed room in the Supermess with attendees from across the Base.

He began with his motivation for joining the Royal Marines Reserves and the challenges he encountered early on in his career.

It was while deployed in Afghanistan with 42 Commando during Operation Herrick 14 that JJ’s life was profoundly changed by a Taliban Improvised Explosive Device.

With vivid, and often uncomfortable detail, he took the audience through his harrowing journey of recovery, illustrating how his, and his comrades’ training came into play.

JJ talked about physical and mental resilience, particularly its inherent vulnerabilities and this resonated deeply with the audience.

Their reactions and the feedback given to JJ emphasised the impact of his words. The term ‘inspiring’ was frequently used, reflecting JJ’s ability to emerge from the darkest of times.

His story provided a profound insight into human performance under extreme conditions, highlighting the significance of training, well-being, and the importance of supporting each other and ourselves.

After the lecture, attendees had the opportunity to treat themselves to lunch at the ‘pop up’ street food event hosted by catering staff.

On offer were loaded jacket potatoes with a choice of delicious curry or chilli. The chefs are looking forward to creating themed menus for future events linked to the Human Performance Talks.

In addition to sharing his inspiring story with Naval Base staff, JJ was also treated to a tour of an Astute-class submarine to find out a bit about the life of a submariner.

HMS Neptune staff plan to hold more of these informative and motivating sessions which aim to explore all aspects of human performance through talks by experts in various fields and inspiring stories from individuals recounting their experiences.

JJ’s father, the Very Rev John Chalmers was a minister at Renton Trinity Parish Church and is a former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

JJ Chalmers, Royal Marine Reservist, Invictus Games medallist and trustee, television presenter, and contestant on Strictly Come Dancing

Picture Captions:

JJ Chalmers addresses the audience in the HMS Neptune Supermess.
Naval Base staff listen to JJ’s amazing story.
JJ visits an Astute-class submarine.
Staff enjoy some lunch at the pop-up street food event.
Others are with Prince Harry and taking part in the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing show.