In the Navy?

4 days and 3 nights aboard HMS Bristol as a Potential Officer Candidate (Warfare). Lots of lectures, marching and running. Hard to describe my thoughts really. Far too many going in a thousand different directions. Exciting. Very exciting. Dauntingly exciting. Haven’t felt so hopeful or so anxious about anything for a long while.

It’s difficult to actually describe the officers. They are the most hard working people I have met. Dedicated and disciplined they are more courageous than anyone else I have ever encountered. The warfare branch produce people of such a high calibre it is difficult to take it all in. They are in charge of hundreds of people, hundreds of millions of pounds of equipment and make on the spot decisions that could change the course of history every single day. They are leaders in every conceivable sense and they earn the utmost respect of their men. You can feel it.

In the very brief time I was there, I and the others on the course became infected with this contagious zeal and pride that saturates the entire organisation. We worked hard together, we lived together, we ate together we even slept together (…). We became so close in such a short space of time. And when we got time off, we played together and had more fun in a few hours than I have had in a very long while. When you actually deserve your time off and the luxuries that the officer branch entails, then you have a far better time than when time off and luxury comes all to frequently as it does when your avoiding university work.

It is a truly different world. I have total respect for the Royal Navy Officer. Before I went I had lots of doubt in the job and my ability. I’m not deluding myself; it is more than difficult. Not everyone is capable of demonstrating the skills they desire and I may not be any different. Many people have expressed extreme doubt in my ability. I thank them for their support.

I haven’t made any concrete decisions yet, but what have I to lose?