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ENTRY TO NAVY

TRAINING OF OFFICERS WARTIME SYSTEM. INDICATION OF TESTS. The need to produce officers as rapidly as possible has led to the introduction of a system of promotion in the Royal Navy which has superseded the method in force in time of peace, when years of training as a cadet and midshipman were required. Now, the candidate for a commission must do at least two months’ sea training as a rating, and in practice will almost certainly do very much more. He must also pass four official boards. “Direct entry.” by which a man could get a temporary commission at once, is reserved under present conditions for specialists, such as doctors and technical experts. When a man joins the Navy and is sent to a training establishhment, he is given a questionnaire on which, as well as the usual personal details, he states his education, work in civil life and special qualifications. If in the opinion of his divisional officer, by whom he is interviewed, he has the makings of an officer, the man goes before his first board, the members of which will probably be the commanding officer of the establishment, the training commander and the schoolmaster. All who pass this preliminary board are known as C.W. candidates—C.W. standing for Commission (and) Warrant. Others may be recommended for a commission when they have left the training establishment.

During his months of early training the C.W. is given classes to drill, so that he may accustom himself to the exercise of command. This stage is a difficult one, involving the drilling of men fresh, like himself, from civilian life, and is carried out under the supervision of a petty officer who will, when necessary, issue a reprimand. Next comes a period at sea, when life in the forecastle mess deck provides an entirely new experience. The active service rating, making the Navy his career, is apt to look down on the H.O. (“hostilities only”), who has come from a totally different life and has everything to learn. All the time the C.W. is watched by his officers. How does he get on with the men? How does he shape as a seaman? Does he show resource? How does he react to action? On the answers to these questions will depend whether or not he passes his second board, taken by the captain of his ship and other officers, possibly from other ships. If he passes he continues to serve in his ship, perhaps for a few months in home waters or perhaps for a year or more elsewhere. Sooner or latei' he will be sent to Portsmouth for a stiff medical examination. Failure in this means that the C.W. cannot become an executive officer. If the disability is a slight one —second-class eyesight, for instance —he will probably be recommended for the special branch. The third board comprises a rearadmiral, a captain and an instructorcaptain. They ask questions about civil occupation, sea career and personal interests, and then confer in private. An unsuccessful candidate will either return to barracks or serve at sea for another three months. The C.W. who passes the third board will find that for the next few months he is required to study, drill and exercise harder than he has ever done before. He will have examinations every week, physical training before breakfast every morning, extra classes at night and private study after that, until he comes to the last obstacle, the final board.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAITA19430226.2.46

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 February 1943, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
580

ENTRY TO NAVY Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 February 1943, Page 4

ENTRY TO NAVY Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 February 1943, Page 4

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