Navy thinking the unthinkable!
Navy thinking the unthinkable!
Navy training college where the Queen met the Duke of Edinburgh looks set to close over cutbacks | Mail Online
If this happens then any moral and historical reasons the RAF may have for keeping Cranwell open could be kicked into the weeds? Unless of course the RAF closes RAF Halton and moves all recruit trg to Cranwell?
If this happens then any moral and historical reasons the RAF may have for keeping Cranwell open could be kicked into the weeds? Unless of course the RAF closes RAF Halton and moves all recruit trg to Cranwell?
Considering their locations both Dartmouth and Sandhurst would fetch tidy sums when sold off as hotels / flats. On the other hand Cranwell will be safe, who wants to move to Lincolnshire. 
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For the last decade, there have been rumours of moving all RAF Phase 1 (initial) training to Cranwell and closing Halton. However, there have always been reasons found to keep Halton open, not least I guess the need for Families' Quarters for HQ Air. As already stated, the BRNC option is often touted. Incidentally, VX275, Lincolnshire isn't too bad - house prices cheaper than Wendover for a start!
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A regular old chestnut - purely put up to show MoD that they are thinking about it. Not sure what the BRNC accounts look like right now - how many International YOs are there at the College these days? They certainly used to make some money in the past.
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BRNC closure always put forward during options, so not news unless it happens.
A regular old chestnut - purely put up to show MoD that they are thinking about it.
This revolves around the very sensible idea of co-locating initial naval training for Officers and Ratings. The problem lies in a required capital spend to bring either BRNC or RALEIGH upto the required standard to take the other group of people.
There are some significant questions regarding the sale of BRNC - it doesn't seem as simple as flogging it on the open market for oodles of cash. Equally, there's significant amounts of space at BRNC that could fit in most of the output of RALEIGH, but a large capital spend would be needed to get it to the required standard.
I don't know many (serving)Naval Officers who would object to the co-location of training, retired Officers are a completely different breed.....
There are some significant questions regarding the sale of BRNC - it doesn't seem as simple as flogging it on the open market for oodles of cash. Equally, there's significant amounts of space at BRNC that could fit in most of the output of RALEIGH, but a large capital spend would be needed to get it to the required standard.
I don't know many (serving)Naval Officers who would object to the co-location of training, retired Officers are a completely different breed.....
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BRNC is built upon land belonging to the Duchy of Cornwall so, in answer would it fetch a tidy sum - in short probably not as I cannot see PoW allowing the next Hotel to be built on it!
Would it be feasible if we do what what the USA ROTC program whereby formalise the UOTC, URNU and UAS as when you;ve graduated from uni and done the required training weekends, summer camps, specialist courses and get a reserve commission (in TA its 3 weeks at Sandhurst for the commissioning course) then transfer to regular commission.
But then again our system of having to go through OASC, AIB, AOSB then Cranwell for half a year, Dartmouth and Sandhurst for a year has ben working for the last century or so.
IIRC majority of the officer corps in the USAF, USA, USN, USMC are ROTC graduates as opposed to Colorado Springs, West Point, Annapolis.
But then again our system of having to go through OASC, AIB, AOSB then Cranwell for half a year, Dartmouth and Sandhurst for a year has ben working for the last century or so.
IIRC majority of the officer corps in the USAF, USA, USN, USMC are ROTC graduates as opposed to Colorado Springs, West Point, Annapolis.
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The college was built on land bought by Compulsory Purchase under the Defence Act – local legend in Dartmouth has it that if the Navy ever decide to get rid of it then it must be returned to the trustees of the Raleigh Estates, who were the original owner!
the college has an immense emotional hold on all who go through it, however having had to go back recently, I was very struck by how dated it is, and how old much of the facilities are. The MOD is essentially having to use a 19th century public school & grounds to deliver maritime training.
I suspect the final solution will be to move all initial training to RALEIGH,but keep BRNC on for leadership courses etc, rationalising the estate, maybe use it for passing out parades, but then put the money into a seriously good training estate at RALEIGH.
I'm struck that BRNC is a bit of an oddity now, and they seem keen to emphasise how much more they can do than just initial maritime training.
I suspect the final solution will be to move all initial training to RALEIGH,but keep BRNC on for leadership courses etc, rationalising the estate, maybe use it for passing out parades, but then put the money into a seriously good training estate at RALEIGH.
I'm struck that BRNC is a bit of an oddity now, and they seem keen to emphasise how much more they can do than just initial maritime training.
Wasn't this a big story last October in the run up to the SDSR being announced? It went nowhere then, either, other than to kick up a fuss in the Mail and Telegraph.
Same story again now, tbh.
Same story again now, tbh.
Chopper - there used to be a system at BRNC where if you'd done all 3 years at an URNU, and were recommended by your CO, you would only do 2 terms (instead of 3). It was scrapped, I've no idea why.
As Jimlad says, there is a case that phase 1.1 ("navalisation") could be done at RALEIGH, and then move to BRNC for extended leadership, staff and academic training.
As Jimlad says, there is a case that phase 1.1 ("navalisation") could be done at RALEIGH, and then move to BRNC for extended leadership, staff and academic training.
"Chopper - there used to be a system at BRNC where if you'd done all 3 years at an URNU, and were recommended by your CO, you would only do 2 terms (instead of 3). It was scrapped, I've no idea why"
That was about the time I went through there - a lot of the Cdts were either not that great in reality, or failed to live up to expectations. Others felt that they wanted to do the extra term and felt under pressure.
In reality the scheme failed to deliver due to a lack of a coherent URNU syllabus, which could be fixed - e.g. join URNU, do AIB end yr1, if selected then do some form of more fixed syllabus which replaces elements of BRNC and then subject to passing some stringent tests on arrival then fasttrack.
That was about the time I went through there - a lot of the Cdts were either not that great in reality, or failed to live up to expectations. Others felt that they wanted to do the extra term and felt under pressure.
In reality the scheme failed to deliver due to a lack of a coherent URNU syllabus, which could be fixed - e.g. join URNU, do AIB end yr1, if selected then do some form of more fixed syllabus which replaces elements of BRNC and then subject to passing some stringent tests on arrival then fasttrack.
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Most plans to dispose of BRNC have foundered on its Grade 1 and 2* listed status - who on earth would buy it and make it pay? Best option is to upgrade the facilities and fill it with RN trainees. Give Raleigh to the RMs - strangely the Govt announced that 45 Cdo were leaving Arbroath to move back to the SW....presumably to fill up Raleigh!
A misplaced hope
When I read the headline to the thread, I foolishly thought it meant the Royal Navy and the RAF were going to stop squabbling.....
I foolishly thought it meant the Royal Navy and the RAF were going to stop squabbling