POSITIONS HELD
Assistant Supply Officer – HMNZS SOUTHLAND
Assistant Supply Officer – HMNZS WELLINGTON
Responsibility Centre Financial Advisor (for COMAUCK)
Captains Secretary – HMNZS PHILOMEL
Base Supply Officer – HMNZS PHILOMEL
Assistant Director of Manning – Naval Staff Wellington
Liaison Officer – HMNZS OLPHERT
COURSES
Officer Training School – Basic Training
The OTS Basic course was 5 months in duration and the Direct Entry Officers were in the same programme as the teenage midshipman. Some of the staff had clearly watched too many American military movies.
Apart from getting quite fit during the Basic course not much was learn’t.
Supply Officers Charge Certificate (5 Months & Practical Work)
After basic training we went off to our specialist courses. Most of the training was at the Supply School at PHILOMEL. The Course prepared us for our roles as Supply Officers. The main subjects covered during training were finance, personnel, military history and Military Law. As Supply Officers we were the Captains advisors when it came to maintaining order and discipline.
Harbour Watchkeeping Certificate (4 weeks & Practical work over 5 months)
This course involved learning to carry out the duties of Officer of the Day on a Ship at sea or alongside in harbour. The role involved supervising safety exercises, carrying out rounds, managing the basic Ships routine, control of security and safety, ceremonial duties including colours and sunset, and maintaining discipline. Looking back on the time it was quite a responsibility and we had many serious incidents to deal with including death on board, man overboard, fires and other serious accidents.
Establishment Watchkeeping Certificate (4 weeks & Practical work over 5 months)
Royal NZ Air Force Junior Staff Course ( 8weeks)
The last requirement to complete for my promotion to Lt Cdr was the staff course. I had completed the other exams and training for promotion and my next posting was to be to a Lt Cdr’s position as a T/LtCdr.
Damage Control & Fire Fighting Course (2 weeks)
One of the more practical and hands on courses. The trainers just loved putting us into fire chambers, trying to drown us in water chambers and throwing thunder flashes at us. When I struck the real thing training proved to be very valuable. We donned BA and fought fires of various types, were stuck in flooding chambers and had to stop several types of leaks in Ships holds.
Navigator’s Yeoman (2 weeks)
I completed this course while a rating in the Naval Reserve. One of the more enjoyable courses I attended. I took the course with a couple of other RNZNVR ratings and a group of RNZN ratings. During the course we learnt how to maintain and correct Ships Charts. Unit Security Officers Course (2 weeks)
As the Captains Secretary I was also the Unit Security Officer and the Classified Correspondence Officer. I spent two weeks at Waiouru taking the USO course. The course was at a fairly basic level, the real threat in New Zealand at that time was very low and about the worse incident we had were false bomb threats and activists breaching base security. Waiouru was as usual a very cold hole and the end of the day was usually signaled with a drink at the Officers Mess.
Flight Deck Officer ( 5 days & 100 Hours practical)
On ships at sea the Supply Officer also holds the role of FDO Flight Deck Officer) and DCC (Damage Control Co-ordinator). Based at Whenuapai for a week we had a 5 day training course to learn the basics of the FDO role. The FDO is responsible for the safety of the helicopter during take off and landing and the loading of the helo. It was a fairly simple role but if things go wrong they can turn to serious custard.
During one training flight in the helo we had a mechanical failure and crash landed. The Instructor was impressed with my coolness during the landing. Little did he know that I thought the crash was all part of the training and I had thought it was simulated. If I had been aware of the real problem I’m sure I would have peed my pants. The qualification was also worth 2 points on the pay scale so was worth having.
