A BUDDING sailor from Chesterfield was among the successful Royal Navy recruits on parade at HMS Raleigh to mark the end of basic training.
Trainee Diver Richard Allen, 29, arrived at the Royal Navy training base in Cornwall in November, last year. During a 10-week course he has been given a thorough induction into the Royal Navy culminating with a passing-out-parade attended by families and friends.
The former Brookfield Community School pupil and former business recovery administrator was appointed class leader.
Richard said: “I joined the Royal Navy for an exciting job with lots of career prospects and a chance to travel. Becoming the class leader was a highlight along with the physical training and learning how to operate the weapons. Training has been a mix of long days and short weeks. My ambition is to dive is every sea and ocean in the world.”
With the first phase of his training complete, Richard will transfer to HMS Collingwood, in Hampshire, where he will undergo his specialist training to qualify as diver.
Royal Navy divers can be called upon to perform a variety of tasks from identifying and destroying mines or other explosives that pose a danger to a warship, to disposing of Second World War weaponry dragged up in a trawler’s net and carrying our major engineering jobs on the ship’s propeller or hull if needed.
Recruits learn about navigation, get to take the helm of a boat, undergo training in combat and survival and undergo fitness training.
Details of career opportunities within the Royal Navy are available online at www.royalnavy.mod.uk or by calling the Recruitment Line on 08456 07 55 55.
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