Cornwall, England - Davonne
Bethel of Freeport, Bahamas, graduated November 27th with full honours from the
Royal British Navy’s Lead Military Training School, HMS Raleigh in Cornwall,
England.
Bethel, now 23, was born in Freeport and raised in the local Grand Bahama Children’s Home for a period of time before joining the family of Richard and Patricia Hobbs. Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs, residents of The Bahamas since 1990, stated that “Davonne has always had a sense of structure in his life, from the respected reinforcement of the Children’s Home, to the supporting strength of our entire family, and now with the ongoing discipline of the Royal Navy.”
Bethel completed his high school education in The Bahamas and Canada. The family attended the induction ceremonies and were proud to note that “Davonne was elected as head of the unit by his commanding officers and fellow recruits. He was also given the Ganges Award as leader of the class that excelled in all phases of training.”
Bethel originally joined the Royal Marines a year ago but injured his back in training. Rather than quitting, he underwent extensive rehabilitation in England and re-entered basic training two months ago in the Fisgard Division of the Royal Navy.
“Joining the Royal Navy is a big step,” according to Warrant Officer First Class, Alphie Hines, Bethel’s senior training officer. “Naturally, you will feel nervous as the time approaches and your head will be full of questions about what your new life will mean to you, and how you will cope with the changes.”
Bethel confirmed the demands placed upon each recruit during the transition. “Despite the initial strangeness, I adapted quickly and really enjoyed the experience, the camaraderie, and the unique challenges … the Navy gives you as much support as they can to help you reach your goal … the rest is left up to you.”
HMS Raleigh is the Royal Navy's premier training establishment located at the South East corner of Cornwall on the outskirts of the town of Torpoint, in an area known for its outstanding natural beauty.
“This is where all recruits joining the Service receive the critical first phase of their Naval training,” adds Warrant Officer First Class, Hines. “The nine week phase one training course is designed to be challenging, exciting, maritime in its focus, and relevant to the operational environment individuals will find themselves in. It aims to develop individuals as part of a team, inculcate naval ethos and a sense of being part of the naval family.”
HMS Raleigh also provides professional courses in military training, seamanship, logistics and submarine operations as well as vital training for ships' team preparing for operational deployments. Raleigh is also home to the band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Plymouth.
The Navy’s website (HMS Raleigh - Training E#261033) details the venerable history of HMS Raleigh, a unique and complex Establishment with many diverse and important tasks, running almost 100 different courses per year with a throughput of some 44,000 people. One of the most significant safeguards of the future capability of the Royal Navy is the achievement of very high standards of training here.
Bahamian Davonne Bethel
The new Lead Naval Military Training School has been designed and constructed for the requirements of the 21st century,” says Warrant Officer First Class, Hines. “It has a requirement to train large numbers of personnel, ranging from the most recent ratings to join the Service through to Commanding Officers, in a varied and wide spectrum of specialized training.”
According to Bethel, “typically, 10% of recruits do not pass the first phase of training. It is rigorous, demanding, and simply not for everyone.” He adds that “the training includes Commanding Officer courses, Warfare courses, Royal Naval New Entry training, Ship Protection Organisation courses, Northern Ireland training, Basic rifle and pistol courses, Board and Search Pre Deployment training and a variety of training courses for other International Navies.”
Asked what division of the Royal Navy Bethel intends to pursue, his answer was clear. “I’ve applied to become an Officer’s Steward, which will allow me to best focus on my education for the next five years, which the Navy pays for while serving wherever posted worldwide … following that, a career as a medic really appeals to me.”
Bethel will be stationed in Plymouth for the next year while completing Phase Two Training, which begins in January, and at its completion hopes to be stationed on any ship in the fleet.
