Jacob’s cracked it in the Navy

Jacob Cooper

An 18-year-old Royal Navy recruit from Royton has marched out on parade to celebrate completing his basic training at HMS Raleigh in Cornwall.

Trainee air engineering technician Jacob Cooper has now completed nine weeks of intensive training.

The course culminates in the passing-out parade attended by families and friends.

Jacob, a former pupil at North Chadderton School, studied sport before joining the Royal Navy.

He said: “The Royal Navy offers a career that really does make a difference in the world and I joined to do something positive with my life.

“The sense of achievement is so high throughout basic training. My ambition now is to work alongside the Royal Marines Sea King helicopter squadron.” The Royal Navy’s basic training course is designed to teach recruits the basic skills they will rely upon throughout their time in the service.

It includes a series of mental and physical challenges to promote teamwork.

With the first phase of training complete, Jacob will transfer to HMS Sultan in Hampshire.

He will then learn how to make the necessary checks and repairs to ensure the Royal Navy’s aircraft remain at the peak of readiness, keeping the service as powerful in the air as it is by land and sea.

l Details of career opportunities within the Royal Navy are available online at www.royalnavy.mod.uk  or by calling the recruitment line on 08456-07 55 55.