In the spring of 2008 Liskeard Branch of the Royal Naval Association had a visit from a Lt.Cdr. Marriott, now Commander, of HMS Raleigh. He had recently been attached to the Royal Marines and had observed the mentoring of their new entries by former Royal Marines. He regarded this mentoring as a help in producing good Royals and wished to see it operating in the Royal Navy. Hence his visit and talk on the aims and his vision of the scheme. Shortly after, a meeting of interested branches of the RNA was convened at HMS Raleigh. From this meeting a system developed whereby members of the local RNAs were attached to various divisions of HMS Raleigh, Being an ex tiff I naturally opted for the Fisgard division, now sadly no more, and by the summer I had been cleared for a pass to enter HMS Raleigh and attend the various evolutions. These included a self introduction with the new entries, Pier Cellars, Dartmoor, Distex and of course the Assault and obstacle courses and finally the Passing In (Out) Parade
Hopefully we do some good, it definitely does me good. It’s helped restore my faith in today’s youth and the Royal Navy. When you read that very few 16 year olds are joining it is not because they don’t want to, it is because the waiting list is so long. Very few New Entries get in before waiting 2 to 3 years, by which time many have acquired responsibilities like children and partners but yet still they join. It must be a rude shock for many (left at home) partners to lose their partner, both male and female for ten weeks. My wife knew I was in the Navy when we got married, and we all know people that decided to leave because their partner did not like the separation
Is it easier now? I don’t know. It’s different, but so are times. They live in better conditions than I did, the uniform is better, no Oilskins and of course no tot. But then most of us live in centrally heated homes these days and expect our employers to take reasonable care of us. It’s todays Navy, as mine was different compared with the pre-war Navy.
My two favourite evolutions are the mid course appraisal afternoons and the Passing Out day. The mid course appraisals are when the New Entries get their horoscopes read on a one to one basis with the Divisional staff. During that time we try to give them an understanding of the Royal Naval Association and then have a free for all of questions about our time in the mob. We take along photos and mementoes of our time and spin the dits; in return we get tea and bickies.
Passing Out day is made very special, far more so than in my day. In the forenoon the families are given a presentation of the previous ten weeks, the Divisional staff are introduced, along with us and the various awards are made to the New Entries. Finally they are all presented with their Royal Navy epaulets to exchange for the orange ones that have been their badge of New Entry for the past ten weeks. They then march off to get ready for divisions in the afternoon.
The afternoon starts with a class photograph in the old Raleigh drill shed, the only bit left from my days. By this time they are all fully buckled and spurred as are the Divisional staff. As the passing out class they are also the Guard, with their D.O and Deputy D.O leading and their Divisional P.Os as markers. Divisions precede as of old . The Guard then advances in review order. This is followed by an arms drill exhibition without orders and finally a march-past. When the rest of the Divisions have cleared the Parade Ground the class returns without arms and on the orders of the Chief of the Parade march off to Auld Lang Seine. Having now officially entered the Royal Navy the families and class meet in the bar for a few drinks and where the Captain and Inspecting Officer also meet the families. The most striking feature of all this is the pride the lads and lasses have in their achievement and of the Royal Navy. Completing the ten weeks is not easy and they have earned the right to be proud of themselves and so have the Divisional staff who have got them through it.
Shipmate John Bartlett Liskeard RNA
