Students set high standard

MIDN Darren Taylor (centre) receives his DGNPT Academic Commendation from DNPR (E&L) CAPT Peter Law (left) and CO HMAS Cerberus CAPT Clinton Thomas.

By LCDR Daryl O’Rourke

The Navy’s Engineer Officer Scheme students have set the standard at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) for another year.

Each year the Navy sponsors former sailors to study engineering degrees at the RMIT. Throughout 2002 the RAN sponsored 66 full-time engineering undergraduates who are set to become the WEEOs, MEOs and AEOs of tomorrow.

Navy Officers are enrolled and assessed at RMIT as any other engineering undergraduate, however their results are anything but ordinary.

Director General Navy Personnel and Training (DGNPT) academic commendations are awarded each year to those students achieving a high distinction average (above 80 per cent), whilst the Director of Naval Officer’s Postings (DNOP) awards similar commendations to those achieving a distinction (70 per cent) average.

This year 27 DGNPT academic commendations were presented by CAPT Peter Law - Director of Navy Professional Requirements (Engineering & Logistics) on behalf of CDRE Simon Hart (DGNPT), including one to MIDN Darren Taylor (ex LSETSM) who achieved the highest average of 95.4 per cent for the 2002 academic year.

CAPT Clinton Thomas presented a further 18 DNOP commendations.

With many of the remaining students achieving credit level averages, the dedication and professionalism of the Navy’s RMIT students have brought credit not only to themselves but also to the RAN.

Details on the Engineer Officer Scheme can be found in ABR 10. Further information can also be found on the DEFWEB at http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/navysyscom/sormit/index.htm. Alternatively interested sailors may contact the supervising officer at RMIT (SORMIT), LCDR Daryl O’Rourke on 03- 9326 8551.

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