Ross is top instructor

By Annie Casey

MCAUST RADM Raydon Gates presents WO Ross McRae with his certificate.

The Royal Australian Navy’s WO Ross McRae, Fleet Direction Assistant with the Sea Training Group (STG) at Maritime Command has won the 2002 Instructor of the year award in the “On- The-Job” training category.

The winner was selected by the Director General of Navy Personnel and Training, CDRE Simon Hart and the award is open to all instructors in the RAN.

Each winner receives $300, a framed certificate and a letter of congratulations from DGNPT.

One of the major roles of the STG is to facilitate and consolidate the theoretical and basic knowledge sailors gain ashore and help them put it into practice at sea.

WO McRae said “The Training Establishments ashore provide a good product to work with. My job is one of the most satisfying in the Navy, as I can see the product and an end result.

“While training people over a five to six week period I can see how much they have gained in that time. I see the sailors gain confidence and increased competency to carry out their work with initiative.”

WO McRae has received and spent his prize money on a CD burner and a couple of books while MCAUST RADM Raydon Gates recently presented the framed certificate.

RADM Gates said, “A Combat Systems Manager with 23 years experience, Ross McRae has demonstrated a faultless knowledge of Action Information Organisation procedures and a capacity to clearly explain and guide personnel at all rank levels.”

As an STG member Ross instructs Combat Systems Operators to maximise the effectiveness of the combat systems they control. Their role is a crucial link in the chain of command, providing key information, which must be correct and complete to Command, enabling it to make sound decisions.

After Operational Readiness Evaluation (ORE) has been assessed, if areas of the ship are identified as needing further training or experience the STG follows up these aspects.

Once satisfied ORE has been achieved STG then informs COMFLOT (Commodore Flotilla), who in turn advises MCAUST of a ships preparedness to be deployed or tasked for future operations.

DGNPT commented, “Ross McRae’s contributions across many platforms during 2002 were considered absolutely outstanding. His unflagging energy and zeal, overall dedication and professionalism marked him as an instructor of extraordinary prowess and quality.”

He added, “Consolidation of initial and category training has been particularly challenging at sea in 2002 and 2003. Our ability to sustain our workforce will largely depend on how well we bring new faces through their first jobs at sea.”

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