Volume 49, No. 18 , October 05, 2006
By Don Deakin-Bell
Families and friends joined with official guests to congratulate the six graduates of Principal Warfare Officer (PWO) Course 38 at a ceremony held in the Captain Darling Building at HMAS Watson recently.
The six-month long PWO course is the premier war fighting course in the RAN. It is recognised as one of the most challenging courses facing Seaman officers, in both theory and practical aspects.
Students have to master theory in tactical planning, Above Water Warfare, Aviation, Communications, Electronic Warfare, Surface Warfare, Anti Submarine Warfare and Mine Warfare, Amphibious Warfare as well as Operations Other Than War.
They put this theoretical knowledge into practice for four weeks in the simulators at Watson. This culminates in the PWO sea week, successful completion of which is essential to gaining the qualification.
CDRE Trevor Jones, the head of the surface warfare community, told the new PWOs in his keynote speech that “their education as Warfare Officers was just beginning and it was essential that they kept abreast of changes in warfare technology in their role as the Captain’s warfare advisor”.
In 1914 superior gunnery gave HMAS Sydney the edge over SMS Emden and in 2006 it was superior gunnery that gave LEUT Tom Squier the edge in gaining the Sydney-Emden Award as dux of the PWO 38 Course.
LEUT Squier won two awards, the St Barbara Association Certificate for the best results in practical gunnery and the Sydney-Emden Award for the best overall results in the PWO Course.
LEUT Squier will serve as Gunnery Officer in HMAS Melbourne, helping bring her through the FFG Upgrade process.
LCDR Michael Parker was awarded the Naval Warfare Officer’s Association Certificate for the highest marks in warfare theory. LCDR Parker is a Minewarfare specialist who has now broadened his skill base and will serve as the Operations Officer in HMAS Manoora.
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