13 minute read
Puzzles
So you want to be... A SUBMARINER
Travel the world, work with cutting-edge technology, forge friendships… and row the Atlantic! Lieutenant Hugo Mitchell-Heggs tells us why a career beneath the waves offers opportunities and a few surprises
Submarines aren’t what they used to be. Banish those images of cramped, sweaty rooms jam-packed with cogs, dials and flashing lights. “I’m 6’4” and people always ask how I fit,” laughs Lieutenant Hugo Mitchell-Heggs from his office when he’s on land, at MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol. “The technology has advanced a lot. I work on a Vanguard-class submarine, which is 150m long, 12.8m wide and has four decks, so they’re significantly bigger than people expect.” There’s even room for a fitness suite, but it is in the same area as the missiles!
See the world Hugo always wanted a career in the military, attracted by the travel and adventurous training. First he went to university to study engineering, then got a master’s degree. He didn’t think of the Royal Navy until a careers advisor gave him the lowdown. “Joining the navy let me do an exciting engineering job, but also live an extraordinary life, challenge myself and see the world,” Hugo says. “And working with a nuclear reactor sounded pretty amazing!”
Get life skills and lifelong friends The transition from student to military was a smooth one, and Hugo relished his basic training at Britannia Royal College, Dartmouth.
“It was like 18 months of Sea Cadets, but as an adult,” he says. “We learnt life skills, like how to iron our uniform, polish our boots and get up early. It built our confidence as leaders and I made some great friends.” Time in the classroom and at sea followed before Hugo earned his ‘Dolphins’ – the mark of a qualified submariner. “This is a challenging process but the reward is incredibly special,” he says. “Getting your Dolphins means you’ve joined a professional elite; a unique family with 100 years of history.”
Prerequisites and personalities Hugo admits that being a submariner is not for everyone, but if you can be a good team player, take in information and communicate, you’re on your way. “Cadets will already have many of the skills needed,” he says. “They understand the importance of teamwork, self-discipline and rank. They already know half the language and are trained in seamanship. This really does help in the early stages and prepares you for basic training.”
How to get there
Whether you start as an officer or work your way up, here are some routes into the Submarine Service
ROUTE 1: OFFICER 1 To be an officer you need at least A-level qualifications or above and be aged between 17 and 39 (depending on which career you choose).
2Some of the more technical roles in the Submarine Service will require a degree in an appropriate subject.
3The Royal Navy can help fund university.
Go to royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/ joining/funding-and-scholarships.
ROUTE 2: RATINGS If university isn’t for you, there are still plenty of other career opportunities available to you.
1Warfare: using some of the most advanced systems in the world, you are the eyes and ears of the submarine, listening out for other navies’ ships and subs and identifying them by sound alone.
2Logistics: cook for the ship’s company or visiting VIPs on board by joining the catering services.
Get started
Visit royalnavy.mod.uk/careers to read about all the different roles and qualifications available across the Royal Navy.
Amazing opportunities and Atlantic voyages Cadets looking for adventure won’t be disappointed. Annual Adventurous Training weeks include climbing, kayaking, diving and mountain biking to develop physical and mental strength. Open-minded thinking is encouraged, as is tailoring your own challenges. Just like Hugo and his crew, who took part in the Atlantic Challenge – a 3,000-mile unsupported row from the Canaries to Antigua – to raise money for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. They were the fastest-ever serving military team to do it, in 37 days, six hours, 40 minutes.
The Sea Cadets guide to... A PERFECT ROWING STROKE Ready for getting back out on the water, and inspired by HMS Oardacious and ROW 3000, we thought we’d go over the basic principles of how to conduct an efficient rowing stroke in a Trinity 500. Follow these four simple steps to master the technique
2THE DRIVE
This is the most powerful part of the stroke. Push with the legs first, starting to open up the body by leaning back, but keep both arms straight, before bringing the arms into the body at the end of the drive. Keep the blade straight throughout and remember the following sequence of movements: legs, body, arms. 1 THE CATCH
At the start of the catch you should be sat symmetrically and comfortably, with your head up looking towards the back of the boat. Your back is slightly over your pelvis, arms outstretched and hands over your feet. Grip the oar and lift your hands to lower the blade into the water. Once the blade is in place, just below the water, the catch is taken and leads into the next part of the stroke.
3THE EXTRACTION
In the final part of the stroke you remove the blade cleanly from the water. Push down on the grip of the oar to lift the blade out of the water – this is a smooth movement as your hands move down towards your lap. Take care to finish the drive completely before trying to remove the blade from the water – this will result in ‘snatching the oar’ (when it is not at a right-angle to the water, so it doesn’t come out cleanly).
4THE RECOVERY
This is effectively a reversal of the drive. The body movement should be smooth and controlled throughout. Keeping the arms straight, the hands lead the body forward while your legs and feet provide balance and stability. Remember this movement sequence: arms, body, legs. You are now ready to lower the blade for the next catch. The recovery is slower than the drive, allowing the boat to travel.
Oar depth A bad habit to develop is to dig too deep with the blade. This creates more pressure on the oar (and the rower) and can lead to poor rowing technique. A simple way of showing the correct depth of the blade is to ask each crew member to let go of their oars whilst the oar is sitting in the rowlock and let the blade float in the water. The level that it naturally sinks to is the depth that should be used while rowing. You could mark the blade with tape. TOP TIP
Focus on: SEA KAYAKING AND TOURING
BZ is a naval term that means ‘well done’. It comes from the Bravo and Zulu nautical signal flags being flown together.
Sea kayaking and touring bring travel, exploration and adventure to paddlesport! Offering confidence and new skills, they provide a unique kind of challenge, whether it’s a short trip or a multi-day expedition
The first visit of the year: @TSAcornSCC
CAPTAIN'S BZ
What can cadets expect from the courses? Sea kayaking is about planning and undertaking journeys on the sea. Touring is carried out in long kayak touring boats or open canoes, paddled tandem (two people) or solo. Both awards provide lessons in manoeuvring, how to rescue someone if they capsize, and learning about the environment around you. And it’s not just about being on water; cadets who have done sea kayaking and tours also loved camping, one of the great attractions to the course.
What skills and qualifications do you get? British Canoeing Sea Kayak Award or the British Canoeing Touring Award are available, depending on which course you take. You’re also sure to make friends, build on your paddling skills and learn something new about yourself!
What are the highlights of the courses? All of the above! Planning and making journeys, learning how to pack a boat for camping, rescue skills, boathandling skills, and seeing and experiencing new places to paddle. If it’s part of a multi-day expedition you may also be camping out overnight so you need to ensure you’re prepared and have everything you need to keep you going.
Who can sign up for the courses? Cadets (usually over 14 years old) and volunteers who have already completed their British Canoeing Explore Award (or previous scheme BC 2 Star/PaddlePower Discover) can get involved.
What do unit instructors need to do to run this course? Any Paddlesport Instructor or Coach Level 1 who has suitable skills and experience can deliver the basics.
Have fun and make new friends Learn new skills on a canoeing tour
To qualify the students, a Coach Award or Leader (Sea or Touring) needs to award the qualification.
Once they’ve completed the course, what can cadets do with it? Use your planning and preparation skills on expeditions, follow canoe trails or use paddling as part of your Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Or, if you want to take the skills further, you can enrol in Coach Award Core Training, or move onto the Coastal Sea Kayak Award or Open Water Touring Award and start your journey to becoming a pro!
Where do I sign up? Check out your Area Paddlesport Calendar or speak to your unit’s Training Officer. Sea Kayaking is also run as a national course at SCTC Weymouth.
Don’t take our word for it. Here’s what cadets have said about the course:
“Throughout the week I have gone from wet to dry, hot to cold, from tired to energetic; but overall I have had an amazing time! Trying something new has helped me develop skills and do things I thought I’d never experience.” CADET DANI
“I have been a cadet for six years, but I have never been on an expedition before. Afterwards, I wished I had done this a lot sooner as it was one of the best experiences I have ever had!” CADET CASEY
Salisbury won the Canada Trophy, awarded to the unit considered to have attained the highest standard of all-round efficiency in that year. Salisbury has excelled at boating, averaging 145 hours per cadet!
The Commander Brown Trophy was awarded to POC Daniel from Weymouth, for outstanding achievement, excelling at Sea Cadets, gaining multiple qualifications and his Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
The Captain Rodie Casement Sword went to Lt (SCC) William Elliott RNR from Milford Haven. William embodies the Sea Cadets values and his drive to inspire them in cadets is infectious and his commitment is endless.
Five-a-side football winners A massive well done to all who took part, especially those going away with medals and trophies. The skill, dedication and sportsmanship was brilliant to see!
BZ to the FSL cadets who are leaving after an amazing year: POC Madeleine,
POC Heather,
POC Zeta, POC Megan,
POC Jemima and POC Daniel.
Cadet to run a marathon! Cadet Lauren is fundraising for her unit. Support her here: gofundme.com/f/26-milestowards-an-amazing-unit “I want to help those who may be future cadets,” says Lauren.
THE WOMEN OF SEA CADETS
We asked you to share your pictures of some of the inspiring women in your life to celebrate International Women’s Day back in March. Here are some of our favourites from the best ones you shared with us on social media. Thanks to everyone who took part!
Follow us on social media @SeaCadetsUK
Take a break to see if you can beat our nautical-themed wordsearch, test your knot know-how and get a word of advice from the First Sea Lord Cadets. This issue, we bring you top tips from the FSL cadets for Eastern and London Areas on how to get the most out of training and courses
CADETS’ MESS
R A X S O R O D O R T I C R T C R R W E A L C R W A T E R R O B O A C T E C E C A F R U S S A R T H C M T L E G R I S E S R T E S O O B B L A D S T R E C O V E R Y H V T E A M S W R S R T B X O B N V R O F L O A T V K I I Y T R I N I T Y E T P I C A C S T E I Y R R T O A R K W S X B S I E L R C K W A V E S O L A L R B C E A N P T D E H
Know your knots!
Use this step-by-step to learn how to tie a reef knot, and then see if you can answer our brain teaser about where you would use one
“Don’t be scared to travel around the country to Area or National Training Centres to try new activities and gain new qualifications, such as paddlesport or aviation. Ask your Unit Training Officer or senior cadets what opportunities are available.” POC JONATHAN, FIRST SEA LORD CADET FOR EASTERN AREA
Wordsearch: rowing
Now you’ve learnt the perfect rowing stroke, heard from someone who’s rowed the Atlantic and been inspired by our ROW 3000 campaign, can you find all these words on rowing?
1. Row 2. Oar 3. Stroke 4. Blade 5. Drive 6. Extraction 7. Recovery 8. Catch 9. Water 10. Trinity 11. Grip 12. Float 13. Balance 14. Stability 15. Depth 16. Waves 17. Surface 18. Crew 19. Team 20. Rowlock
“The more dedication you put into Sea Cadets, the more opportunities come your way. Attend as many parade nights as you can, as you’ll hear about more courses, where you’ll meet new cadets and volunteers and form new connections. Progress can only be made possible through the time that you put into your cadet career at the start.” CADET CPL LAURELLE, FIRST SEA LORD CADET FOR LONDON AREA
Brain teaser: what is a reef knot used for? a) Joining two ends together b) Tying up to a post or c) Towing a dinghy
Know your knots answer: a
Experience the 2012 Olympic cycle route with Sea Cadets and Prudential Ride London 100 MILE CHALLENGE!
Achieve a personal triumph by completing the pinnacle of all cycling events in the world’s greatest festival of cycling. Ride the world-famous 2012 Olympic route on 100 miles of closed roads through the capital and across the spectacular Surrey countryside.
Sunday 16 August 2020 You must be 18 or over on the day 100 miles £45 entry fee and £500 fundraising minimum
Scan this code with the camera on your smartphone to fi nd out more and get involved!
W h e n y o u j o i n o u r t e a m , y o u ’ l l r e c e i v e a f u n d r a i s i n g p a c k , S e a C a d e t s c y c l i n g j e r s e y o t h e r g o o d i e s . W e ’ l l s u p p o r t y o u l e a d i n g u p t o t h e e v e n t a n d p r o v i d e a n a m a z i n g t e a m o n t h e d a y . W h e n y o u f n i s h y o u ’ l l g e t a l i m i t e d e d i t i o n f n i s h e r s ’ m e d a l !
