Image of the 1st Sea Lord, Admiral Tony Radakin CB ADC, seen here at Britannia Royal Naval College today (13/08/2020).
For the first time in the history of the Royal Navy sailors and officers passed out side-by-side.
The parade ground of Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth – the spiritual home of the officer cadre for the past 115 years – witnessed a unique ceremony as 34 ratings and 130 officers completed their training.
Britain’s most senior sailor, First Sea Lord Admiral Tony Radakin, welcomed the ratings – who formed a guard of honour – and officers into the naval family as the guest of honour.
Traditionally, the nine-week transformation from civilian to sailor takes place at HMS Raleigh in Torpoint, but with a surge in interest in joining the Navy, an additional course was provided at Dartmouth.