8 December 2020
More than 150 graduates of the Navy’s latest New Entry Officer Course (NEOC) have become the first to affirm their commitment to the new Defence Values.
Reviewing Officer for NEOC 63 Commander Maritime Border Command Rear Admiral Lee Goddard told Navy’s newest officers they must live by the values of service, courage, respect, integrity and excellence.
“NEOC 63 has made history by being the first to affirm the new Defence values, as well as meeting all the challenges of the program in the midst of a global pandemic,” Rear Admiral Goddard said.
“You are one of the largest graduating classes in the history of the Royal Australian Naval College and combined with NEOC 62 you represent the highest number of graduates in any single year.
“You will always be a part of NEOC 63 and your classmates will always be part of the story of your Navy career.
“Bravo Zulu to you all and welcome to the family – our Navy family.”
Graduates worked together for 19 weeks, undertaking an intensive program that challenged them intellectually and physically, and supported them as they learned more about themselves and how to be leaders in the Navy of today and the future.
As a symbol of their place in history, NEOC 63 paraded on the Quarterdeck of HMAS Creswell, in the same location as the first graduating course in 1916.
Commanding Officer of the RANC Commander David Shirvington congratulated family and friends for their support during the course and said it would continue to be vital as they progressed in their careers.
“To the partners, family and friends who cannot be physically here due to the global pandemic, we thank you for the support you have shown throughout the past 19 weeks,” Commander Shirvington said.
“Over the last five months the new officers have shown immense growth personally and professionally, adapting to unusual circumstances and demonstrating the ability to persist through adversity.
“We are all proud of their achievements.”
Navy’s latest additions to the officer community will undertake further training as they embark on diverse careers across the Navy enterprise.
For the full coverage of the graduation, go to pages 10 and 11 of Navy News at: https://navynews.partica.online/navy-news/december-10-2020/flipbook/0/
