The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust mascot  Able Seaman ‘Jack’  spent a day at HMS Collingwood experiencing life as a modern day sailor with today’s Royal Navy.

AB Jack who joined the Royal Navy in 1922 wanted to see how the Royal Navy has differed from the Navy experienced. In a bid to get his task book signed, Royal Naval Benevolent Trust AB Jack came to the Phase 2 Training Establishment and undertook training in several departments.

Beginning his day with training divisions, Jack stood with the inspecting officers whilst the ships’ company of HMS Collingwood were on parade.

He witnessed the event which included a service from the Chaplain and concluded with a march past with the Parade Officer Commander Andy Phenna taking the salute.

First class of the day saw Jack have a quick weapons handling lesson with a class where he refreshed his knowledge on stripping, maintaining and fault finding with his General Purpose Machine Gun.

He then undertook some training in the Close Range Section with Petty Officer Andrew Paterson.

Under his instruction he ran a simulation task on the 20mm and 30mm close range and mini guns.

After a quick stand easy, under the instruction of Divisional Senior Rate Petty Officer Matt Sommerville, Jack then visited the Maritime Composite Training Systems (MCTS) to experience a scenario in the Operations Room onboard a Type 45.

Here he learnt about basic picture compilation and voice procedures in a cruising watch environment.

His newly obtained skills were then tested in a ‘Thursday War’ scenario where he sat as an Air Picture Supervisor monitoring hostile activity of aircraft.

Afterwards, Jack had a chat with his Divisional Officer Warrant Officer Paul Winch about the prospect of realising his potential in becoming a Leading Seaman Above Water Tactical in the future.