by Bill Heaney
A class of Royal Navy submariners in the making passed-out from the Submarine Qualifying Course at HM Naval Base Clyde.
Eleven students who are being trained for service on board Astute Class submarines at Faslane have reached the end of their ten-week “dry phase” training. This means that they have successfully completed their classroom part of their course.
Director Submarines (DSM), Rear Admiral Andrew Perks MBE was in attendance and personally awarded each graduate with their certificate in the RNSTC Conqueror Lecture Room.
Rear Admiral Perks said: “It is great to be here in this brand-new training facility and see people at the early stages of their careers in the Submarine Service.
Today you have completed the first part of your journey to achieving your Submarine Dolphins. In doing so, you have also become part of the bigger challenge to transform the Royal Navy to warfighting readiness.”
He continued: “The Continuous at Sea Deterrent is the most important mission for Defence and as you train to become Astute-Class submariners it will be your job to protect those Vanguard-Class submarines delivering that mission. This mission keeps the UK and our allies safe every minute of every day.”
After joining and successfully completing SMQ “dry phase” of training, students then move onto their second phase – otherwise known as the “wet phase.” Aspiring trainees will then complete their SMQ training at sea on board a Royal Navy vessel. Only after completing all stages of training are they entitled to proudly wear the prestigious Dolphins and call themselves a submariner.
Seasoned submariners were also in attendance and were presented service recognition awards by DSM. Petty Officer (MESM) Greig received a Long Service and Good Conduct medal, and Petty Officer (MESM) Poppleton and Leading Hand (SSM) Hawes received Wider Service Medals.
The RNSTC is part of a long-term project to transform HMNB Clyde into a Single Integrated Operating Base for the RN Submarine Service. This project seeks to consolidate all submarine operations into a single location at HMNB Clyde establishing it as the Submarine Centre of Excellence.
RNSTC will ensure that Submariners will have the highest-quality training to enable them to fight and win both now and in the future. The new centre, or “Dolphin Building” will not only train personnel for service on the current Vanguard vessels but will also provide training for the future Dreadnought Class of deterrent submarines.