The Commandant of the King Fahd Academy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has visited HMS Raleigh where some of his students are undergoing a summer training programme.
Rear Admiral Khalid Al Saeed met with the Service and civilian staff responsible for the delivery of the eight-week programme, which began in May.
He was also able to watch his students being put through their paces during an assault course run and team building session. The summer programme is being delivered under a contract with International Defence Training (IDT) Royal Navy in collaboration with Babcock Flagship.
While the main focus of the programme has been English Language the 72 Officer Cadets have also been given the chance to improve their teamwork and leadership skills by undertaking elements of the Royal Navy’s initial naval training course.
They have completed three military exercises in the local area and have also had lessons on seamanship techniques and fitness training.
This is the sixth year the summer school has taken place at HMS Raleigh. Commander Scott Sellars, IDT Royal Navy, said:
“This programme is an integral part of the training relationship between the Royal Navy and Royal Saudi Navy.
“It is seen as a reward for the top performing Saudi cadets at the end of the first year of their three-year officer training programme.”
During his time in the UK, Rear Admiral Al Saeed also visited Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) in Dartmouth.
Saudi Arabia is one of the countries that regularly send Cadets to the world-renowned College to train alongside their Royal Navy counterparts.

Press Release, June 18, 2013; Image: Royal Navy

 LHD ship Juan Carlos I set sail from Rota Naval Base on June 6th and arrived at Pontevedra Estuary to embark nearly one hundred Naval Academy students, future Spanish Navy officers; more specifically, 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students as well as candidates to the Supply Corps.
They are all students of the new Academic Plan recently implemented in the Naval Academy whereby the midshipmen will become not only Lieutenants (Junior Grade), but mechanical engineers of the Defense University Center.
During the training cruise the students will continue their formation participating in exercises and collaborating in maneuvers, like Exercise MAR-31 where F-100 frigates from the 31st Escort Squadron are scheduled to participate. They will also participate in the amphibious training exercise MARFIBEX to be held from the 17th to the 21st of June, and the MAR-32 Exercise with units from the 41st Escort Squadron (24-26 June).
In this cruise of barely a month, the Juan Carlos I’s capabilities will be made available to improve the students’ curriculum. They will also have the opportunity to visit the cities of Rota, Malaga, Melilla and Lisbon.
Once the training program comes to an end, the Juan Carlos I will disembark the students in Lisbon on July 9th and will return to her home port in Rota Naval Base.

Press Release, June 18, 2013; Image: Spanish Navy

Sailors and midshipmen from the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) visited approximately 35 students at the Center for Special Education at the Columbine College during a port visit to Subic Bay, June 13.
The Center for Special Education, sponsored by the Lotus Foundation, Inc., and funded by Lotus Hilfs Programme e. V., is one of the few schools aimed toward students with special needs.
The students, a majority of which were deaf, entertained the Sailors and midshipmen with several dances. Inabilities to communicate verbally were quickly overcome with pen and paper and some sign language.

“I truly enjoyed the opportunity to interact with the students,” said Seaman Aaron Montoya. “The students, who could not hear but, could make you laugh, gave you a greater perspective on life.”

Emilia Sanchez, special education coordinator, and Norman Tuzon, retired Marine liaison volunteer, explained that the school educates children from early elementary school through college.
Currently, the school system in the Philippines is undergoing a transition. Previously, high school in the Philippines was four years from ages 12 to 16 following six years of elementary school. The program is moving to a K-12 system that mirrors the United States’ school system. This resulted in many college students ages, younger than American counterparts.
Chosin is currently on deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Press Release, June 18, 2013; Image: US Navy