Navy

Milestone ceremony: HMS Raleigh officer cadets complete restructured training programme

10th August 2026 at 4:37pm

Officer cadets pass out at HMS Raleigh

Congratulations are in order for officer cadets at HMS Raleigh who have completed their 10-week initial training course alongside ratings.

The service marks the end of a new programme where the two cohorts worked side by side for the first time to build the skills needed for mission-ready leadership, before officers continue their training at Britannia Royal Naval College in a redesigned 14-week commissioning course.

In a short ceremony on HMS Raleigh's parade grounds, cadets and their loved ones came together to celebrate the conclusion of this initial training stage.

Modernised approach to training

Speaking at the ceremony, Commanding Officer Colonel Chris Hall said the event "marks a significant milestone, both for the individuals concerned and for the Royal Navy".

He hailed the success of the new programme and the hard work required to complete it, saying the officer cadets had "demonstrated commitment, resilience and leadership potential required of today's naval officers, rising to every challenge with determination and professionalism".

The revised foundation course means cadets like these are better prepared for the changing operation requirements of a modern service force (Picture: MOD)

The CO also stressed how proud the cadets should be as they progress to the next stage of their careers, noting their ability to lead with "confidence and distinction in the years ahead".

According to the Royal Navy, these 67 officer cadets have been trained in a way that more accurately mirrors the reality of modern naval service than previous pathways.

With officer cadets and ratings now working together from the start, training facilities and specialist equipment can be used more effectively.

Journeying onward

But these cadets aren't done just yet. They will continue on to the Royal Naval College to train in another newly restructured programme.

The service maintains that the updated Officers' Commissioning Course in Dartmouth remains a fundamental part of training with improvements made to coherence and efficiency across training.

"Everyone completing all of our courses must meet the immovable high standard which the Royal Navy demands," Rear Admiral Andrew Rose, Director of People and Training, explained at the time the changes were announced.

Together, these changes signal a strengthening of officer training from the very first stages of the job.