Royal Navy welcomes next generation of officers at last passing out parade of 2024

More than 130 naval officer cadets have celebrated the completion of their training at the last passing out parade of 2024.

Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin was the guest of honour for the parade at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) Dartmouth.

The nation's most senior military leader took the salute as personnel formed up on the famous parade ground at BRNC.

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One hundred and thirty-three officer cadets from eight nations successfully completed the initial officer training course which turns civilians into junior naval officers, testing them in a variety of scenarios – in the classroom, on Dartmoor, the River Dart and at sea on board an operational warship.

They were joined on parade by 26 officers from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the Royal Navy's crucial support fleet, plus 16 senior upper yardmen and 11 warrant officers promoted from the ranks.

"It's an immense privilege," Midshipman Nicholas Reynolds told BFBS Forces News.

Having joined only eight months ago, he has also been nominated for the best cadet in his intake, which means he could potentially be rewarded with the King's Sword at the Lord High Admiral's Divisions next year.

He added: "To have the CDS here makes it just that little bit more special and to have him drive home the point that we are naval officers as of this morning and the responsibility that comes with that is absolutely immense."

Midshipman Emma Baptiste had plenty of family support in attendance to cheer her on.

"I've got my mum, and my dad, my grandmother, and my little brother, and my godfather here today. I'm feeling ecstatic."

She added: "I'm really over the moon, it's not really sinking in at the same time.

"We got so lucky with the weather as well. It's been really a brilliant day. It's been a long journey getting here.

"I think definitely of some of those lows, those period zeroes in the pitch black on the parade square, in the pouring rain as well. But at the same time, it's those moments that really bring you and your division together so they're highs as well."