First Navy journal out now

All about the Wardroom

For the first time, trainee midshipmen will undertake a ‘Wardroom Living Module’ as part of their Junior Officer Common Training course. This month JOCT 21/01 had two hours in HMNZS TE KAHA, then another hour at the HMNZS PHILOMEL wardroom. Lieutenant LJ Littleton, JOCT course officer, says the idea is to set up the trainees for success when going onto a ship and joining a wardroom. “They need to know where to find the mess rules and know who they should be talking to in order to enjoy their home away from home.” The officers receive a separate lesson in table etiquette towards the end of their course.

Did you know?

The act of drawing a sword in the Wardroom Mess without permission is punishable by a fine. The object of this is to avoid misinterpretation, particularly in the days when duelling was prevalent.

The Royal New Zealand Navy Journal – out now!

The inaugural edition of the Professional Journal of the Royal New Zealand Navy (Volume One, Number One, December 2020) is now available online.

You can find it at www.nzdf.mil.nz/navy and click on ‘Public Information’.

The Journal is a medium for critical and well-informed thinking on Naval and maritime affairs.

ROY COLIN SEFTON QSM Petty Officer Radioman NZ15394 21 June 1938 – 5 January 2021 Operation Grapple veteran Roy Sefton was farewelled in a service in Palmerston North on 11 January.

Mr Sefton, the President of the Operation Grapple Group, was a tireless advocate who fought for official government recognition of the genetic damage suffered by the veterans of nuclear tests in the Pacific. For this work, he was awarded the Queen's Service Medal in the 1999 New Year's Honours. Sefton himself served in HMNZS PUKAKI during Operation Grapple, a series of nuclear tests – involving both atomic and hydrogen bombs – conducted in the mid-Pacific by the British Government from May 1957 to September 1958. Many of the veterans of Operation Grapple featured in a Denise Baynham photographic exhibition at the Navy Museum, which concluded last month (Navy Today #248).

VOLUNTARY EDUCATION STUDY ASSISTANCE (VESA)

Semester One, 2021 applications are now being accepted. You may submit your request for funding within 90 days of your study start date. Apply online at NZDC, Defence Learning Toolkit VESA Application (e-form).

Applicants should be aware of their responsibilities prior to making an application IAW DFO 3/2016. Prior to starting the application process, applicants are to:

• Confirm the level of study is right for them with NZDC DLearn • Advise their 1UP of their study intentions • Provide supporting paperwork including study documentation from the official learning provider website (ready to attach to your e-form application) Contact your local DLearn Adult Learning Tutor who can assist you with your application. If you have any further queries, please email our Tertiary Services & Support Advisor at nzdcdlearnvesa@nzdf.mil.nz

POLICY (terms and conditions) SADFO 3/2016 VESA Policy SADFO 3/2016 VESA Policy (terms and conditions)