|
||||||
I was lucky enough to spend 2 years on HMS Ark Royal, an aircraft carrier, in the late 80s. While on deployment in the Mediterranean, we had a 17 year old prospective Medical Assistant join us for 3 weeks. Hed just finished basic training and had several weeks to wait before his MA course started. This guy was 17 going on 12, very naive – in the nicest possible…. Continue reading Man Overboard – HMS Ark Royal 1987! 
On of the early ‘fun’ things the RN likes you too get a handle on is ‘damage control”. This is something, that at the time, you never really think you’ll need. Well, fast forward to 1982 and the Falklands conflict – you are now thanking your lucky stars that you have been trained for shoring up holes that are gushing water into your ship…. Continue reading Too short for damage control… So here I am, at Royal Naval Hospital Haslar in Gosport, its February 1974. I’ve learnt how to row a whaler, how to march, shoot, tie knots and a host of other nautical stuff – not forgeting, the importance of spitting on shoes! Now it’s time for my part 2 training – the medical stuff!…. Continue reading You want me to stick it where….? 
What is is with spit? Some of us have it and some don’t. I, unfortunately, am a ‘don’t’. What am I rambling about? Well, the services, including the RN, are big on spit and polish. This is a charming technique of spitting on your boots and then applying polish…. Continue reading What is it with spit……..? It’s a lovely view from the sea wall, isn’t it? Well no, not really. Particularly when you are running alongside it in mid-winter, at dawn, dressed only in shorts and vest freezing your bits of. Yes, we are still at Haslar in early February 1974 undergoing part 2 training…. Continue reading Murder ball………! 
I am still serving on HMS Yarmouth. We are now acting as guard ship in the West Indies. So what is a guard ship? Basically the ship’s duties are to patrol the islands and to respond to any requests for help, particularly in disaster areas…. Continue reading Boys will be boys…! 
So here I am, fully trained. I am now an MA (Medical Assistant) ready to take up medical duties wherever I may be drafted. So, will it be a ship, abroad or a shore establishment? Any of these would be exciting for me. My first draft? The army cadets, of course! I will be going to spent 2 weeks based at Tidworth…. Continue reading Trained and ready for action….! 
Yep – the RN can come up with some exceedingly fun things to do. In the unlikely event you are still alive after your helicopter hits the water – the RN, bless em, will have trained you in what do in this inconvenient scenario….. Continue reading Underwater escape training – oh yes..! Seen here with one of my best mates – Andy (Beanie – for obvious reasons!). This was taken sometime in 1979/80 while serving at HMS Osprey in Portland. Both, now fully qualified LMAs (Leading Medical Assistants). Now we could be relied upon to be responsible at all times – yeah – right!…. Continue reading Reliant robin…! 
Now, at HMS Osprey, Portland – a naval airbase. I am now an LMA (Leading Medical Assistant) – so, am experienced and responsible. It was here that I was to have, a somewhat ludicrous, run in with a particularly jumped up young Surgeon Lieutenant (a doctor). I was on duty, one morning…. Continue reading Tea and toast….! | ||||||
