A REDDITCH teenager recently graduated as a warfare specialist from HMS Collingwood, Hampshire, as she completed her Phase 2 training, with Victory Squadron.

Able Rate Samantha Kirk, aged 19, originaly from Cape Town, joined the Royal Navy in July 2012. Miss Kirk, a former pupil of Redditch’s NEW College, said that passing out from Phase 2 had been a “real achievement”.

She joined the Maritime Warfare School at HMS COLLINGWOOD three months ago after completing her basic training at HMS Raleigh.  

At HMS Collingwood, she undertook the warfare specialist training course to learn how to set up and operate the Royal Navy’s systems that provide information to ships on air and surface activities. 

After successfully completing the course, she is waiting to find out which ship she will join to exercise her training in a practical setting.  

HMS Collingowood is the home of the Maritime Warfare School which contributes to the operational capability of the fleet by providing first class training to all officers and ratings of the Royal Navy in their professional specialisations, which include weapon engineering, communications, and warfare. 

The training they receive is relevant, agile and flexible in order to keep pace with the challenging operational needs.