All at sea — but loving every minute

WHEN THE TOUGH GET GOING: Vicky supervises press-ups on board HMS Somerset

IT’S a tough job, but someone’s got to do it!

Imagine the ‘daily grind’ of putting young marines through their paces in some of the most exotic locations in the world.

Well that’s exactly what former Royton and Crompton pupil Vicky Jarvis is doing as leading physical trainer on board the Royal Navy warship HMS Somerset.

Conducting four rigorous training circuits a day for the ship’s company, the Royal Marines and the Royal Navy, Vicky is currently heading to an area east of the Suez Canal during an exercise to enforce the freedom of navigation to shipping, which is key to the global economic recovery.

With the ‘Fit to Fight - Fit for Life’ ethos, she is preparing the ship’s company for their forthcoming maritime security mission.

And en route she continued the Royal Navy tradition of running the Rock of Gibraltar where, in fancy dress, she and over 20 members of the ship’s company negotiated the gruelling landmark.

Charged with ensuring the men and women in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines are physically and mentally fit for combat, Vicky gave her reasons for joining the RN: “To become a physical training instructor and travel around the world meeting new people while developing my knowledge.”

And her most important job right now: “To get the ship’s company fit, healthy and acclimatised to the intense heat that we will be subjected to in the Middle East.”

She added: “I’m doing my best to make it fun, but we’re all out here to do a serious job.”

Vicky’s other prime role is at the helm of the 4,500-ton warship, where she spends watches steering the ship from the bridge.

She also organises fixtures for the ship’s sports teams while harbour-hopping around the world, as well arranging inter-rank sports on board to develop the grit and moral fibre of the ship’s company.