Sharpest sword in the armoury
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FINE COLLECTION: Members of the Submarine Warfare Officer Course 1/06, including dux of the class, LEUT Michael Drake, with the Raytheon Sword.
Photo: ABPH Jarrad Oliffe |
By Michael Brooke
After six-months of intense training that included a challenging sea assessment phase in HMAS Rankin during RIMPAC, LEUT Michael Drake has been crowned dux of the 2006 Submarine Warfare Officer’s Course (SMWOC).
LEUT Drake was presented with the Raytheon Sword of Excellence at the SMWOC 2006 Course Graduation at the Submarine Training and Systems Centre on August 4.
Raytheon Australia Director Operations WA, Richard Drains said LEUT Drake pipped LEUT Mike Spearman of the Canadian Navy for the top prize.
LEUT Drake said being crowned dux of the 2006 SMWOC had inspired and motivated him to tackle bigger career challenges.
He joined the RAN via ADFA on January 22, 1996, and was promoted to LEUT on January 1, 2002.
LEUT Drake completed his Part 3 Training in HMAS Rankin to qualify for his Dolphins on August 22, 2002.
He has served in HMA Submarines Dechaineux and Sheean and SUBOPS.
LEUT Drake and the other three SMWOC graduates have posted to RAN submarines as sonar officers for about 12-18 months, during which time they will consolidate their SMWOC skills and understudy the Operations Officer.
LEUT Drake excelled in the 26-week course which consists of instruction, simulator assessments, a major theoretical exam and a practical sea assessment phase.
CMDR Tim Brown, Head Submarine Warfare Training (HSMWT) said the modules included the six-week Common Warfare Course at HMAS Watson, the two-week Narrow Band TMA course conducted by the USN at Pearl Harbour, and a one-week Sonar Course conducted by Sonartech Atlas in Sydney.
CMDR Brown said the course concluded with the Sea Assessment Phase which spanned 10 days and was conducted in HMAS Rankin during RIMPAC off the coast of Hawaii.
With a suitable recommendation, the warfare officers will progress to the Executive Officer position after completing the MFU CO/XO DESIG and the SMXO courses.
With suitable sea time and a CO’s recommendation, the officers will undertake the Submarine Command Course (SMCC aka Perisher) before being able to command a Collins class submarine.
