Britannia Royal Naval College PARADES
THE passing out parades at Dartmouth’s Britannia Royal Naval College and all they entail, underpin the core values of the Royal Navy, says ceremonial train- ing officer, Warrant Officer 1 Daz Honeychurch.
Officer Cadets at the college undergo intensive drills, under the command of WO Honeychurch who is assisted by two sergeant Royal Marines and two petty officers, to prepare for their big day on the parade ground, which marks the culmination of their training at the college. Training divisions are held on
Wednesdays and Thursdays, with up to 150 cadets and staff officers taking part in the practice marches. Parades, also known as Divisions, can potentially be called in any ship or Royal Navy establishment. Although a more natural element in training establishments, traditionally it was a way for commanding officers or visiting admirals to inspect and address a ship’s company.
Once they have passed out, many of the young officers are unlikely to march again. But all they have learnt from the experience will stand them in good stead for their Navy days, WO1 Honeychurch said. ‘Marching teaches them all the core values of the Royal Navy - cour- age, commitment, discipline, respect,
Ceremonial training officer, Warrant Officer Daz Honeychurch, giving orders at a passing out parade at BRNC.
integrity and loyalty. ‘Learning how to march is a huge team builder because the cadets identify as a unit and with a sense of belonging to a team and if you make a mistake you let the whole division down.’
During the initial Naval training pe- riod, young cadets are taught basic drill skills – how to stand, salute and dress correctly in Naval uniform. ‘We do get tested.
Some officer cadets might be very intelligent but they can’t walk in a straight line,’ WO1 Honeychurch laughed. ‘During ceremonial training they assemble on the parade ground,
‘There is not a lot of air movement on the parade ground, it can be very, very still and quite stifling. Before their passing out parades the cadets have to eat a proper breakfast and are advised not to drink the night before because they can become dehydrated.
‘Marching teaches them all the core values of the Royal Navy - courage, commitment, discipline, respect, integrity and loyalty.
march up the ramp, along the terrace and down the other ramp before marching off if they have done a good parade. If they haven’t, I make them do it again. ‘It looks easy but it’s not. You need
to learn physical control and physical fitness. You have to remember to step off on your left foot and keep an arms-length distance from the person in front of you and to your left or right. You have to look straight ahead unless you are told otherwise. During the parade the cadets are told ‘eyes right’ when they have to look right and salute the VIP or saluting officer, while still walking forward. That’s quite hard to do. ‘You also have to concentrate when marching because the formal passing out parades can last up to two hours, depending on who is doing the inspection, and it can get really hot out there.
‘I tell them to keep moving by wig- gling their toes and tongues – as long as I can’t see them doing it.’ Once the cadets have got to grips with basic marching skills, they then have to learn how to carry the ceremonial naval sword unsheathed. Instead of gripping the sword, it rests within an open
fist, balancing effectively on the index finger of the right hand. Cadets have to learn how to salute both standing still and on the march. All of the officer cadets take part in the passing out parades, not just those who have finished their training at the college, although they do take pride of place at the front of the line-up. The parade is also formed of new
entry cadet divisions and the rifle bearing ceremonial guard, formed of the more recent intake who are selected on their military bearing and drill skills. There is also the colour guard consisting of a white ensign carrier and a ceremonial cutlass bearer accompanied by two cadets. The Royal Marine Band, which can travel to Dartmouth from HMS Collingwood or Plymouth, also form part of the parades, of which there are four a year.
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