History-maker: First person passes out of Dartmouth as both a rating and officer

A Royal Navy sub lieutenant has made history after becoming the first person to pass out of Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth as both a rating and officer.

Sub-Lt Grace Penn began her training at BRNC Dartmouth in 2020 at the age of 22 when she went from civilian to Able Seaman.

Usually Navy recruits undergo training at HMS Raleigh in Cornwall, but due to the pandemic, BRNC Dartmouth started training new entrants for the first time in its history.

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Fast-forward three years and Sub-Lt Penn said it was "surreal" to be back at Dartmouth passing out as an officer in front of Prince William.

"It's definitely surreal, but I feel very lucky to be able to say that I’ve come here as a rating," she told Forces News.

"Having been here before as a rating, and doing the same pass out again but this time wearing a different uniform, marching through the main door, it's pretty amazing."

Sub-Lt Penn, who is from St Albans, added: "To come back as an officer and go through the whole 30 weeks and to see what it is like to live life as an officer, to learn how everything works, to learn all the navigation, to learn how to drive boats and then to pass out here at the end of it - there's nothing better."

Despite having passed out once at Dartmouth, Sub Lt Penn said she was still nervous for the occasion.

"You've still got to go up the steps, you're holding a sword instead of a rifle this time, so it's slightly different," she said.

"It's probably more special just because I know I have done it before and I've got the privilege to do it again.

"And not many people can say they have done that."