Media Advisory
Wednesday, 16 December 2010

Naval Graduation Parade

In front of an audience including their proud families,15 Junior Officers and 19 trainee sailors will graduate from their initial training courses in a combined Graduation Parade at 9.30 am, Friday 17 December 2009, at the Devonport Naval Base.

As well as the formal ceremonial parade the graduates will show off their newly acquired skills with physical training, weapons handling and ceremonial drill displays. The Honourable Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Defence, is the Reviewing Officer for the Parade and will welcome the new officers and sailors into the Navy. He will also award prizes for academic and leadership performance including the Spencer Tewsley Cup and Tankard, presented to the best all round Naval Trainee.

The newly trained officers and sailors have completed initial training at the Navy Leadership and Development Group in Devonport. Over the last 22 weeks for officers and 13 weeks for sailors, they have been mentally and physically challenged, including learning the professional skills they will need as sailors to keep themselves, their shipmates and their ships safe.

The maritime and naval environment is introduced though activities such as naval history lessons, instruction in naval customs and ceremonies. During their initial training, the trainee sailors learnt discipline, how to look after themselves, their kit and their accommodation, and begin to understand and adopt the Navy core values of Courage, Commitment and Comradeship. A foundation of the course has been the physical training such as circuit training, cross country runs and sports. This helps to underpin another vital aspect of basic common training; the development of team work through activities such as team sports, parade training and practical general drills.

Another special feature of the Graduation Parade is the performing of the Royal New Zealand Navy Haka. The Haka talks of the Royal New Zealand Navy core values, the key land marks that surround the Devonport Naval Base and the vision to succeed. The Navy Band will also entertain guests with a musical repertoire of popular sea shanties.

The graduating junior officers and trainee sailors represent many regions of New Zealand from the far North to the deep South. After a short period of leave, they will return to commence their specialist trade/branch training.

Hometowns of the Graduates
Auckland - 7 Christchurch - 1 Dunedin - 1
Fielding - 1 Gisborne - 3 Hamilton - 1
Manurewa - 1 Napier - 3 Nelson - 1
New Plymouth - 1 Opotiki - 1 Philippines - 2
Pukekohe - 2 Taranaki - 2 Tauranga - 3
Waimati - 1 Wellington - 1 Whakatane - 1
Whitford - 1

ENDS

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