48 Years Of Service For Taff
16 October 2009
LCDR Dennis 'Taff' Sweeney, currently the 2IC of the RAN Diving School at HMAS Penguin (CMDR Michael Hickey), has completed a remarkable 48 years of service with the Royal Navy and RAN.
LCDR Sweeney has recorded 24 years of service in the RN and will complete 24 years of service in the RAN on 4 January 2010, providing a life-time of service as a Clearance Diver in both Navies.
LCDR Sweeney joined the RN in 1962 as an Underwater Weapons Junior Seaman at HMS Ganges. After a number of sea postings he commenced the Clearance Divers Course at HMS Vernon in 1966 and completed the Advanced Clearance Divers Course in 1972.
In 1977, LCDR Sweeney graduated from Britannia Naval College as a Special Duties Sub Lieutenant and became a Mine Clearance Diving Officer in 1979.
After an exchange posting to Australia from 1982-85 as the Diving Training Officer at Penguin and a posting as OIC of the Diving Team in the Falklands, LCDR Sweeney transferred to the RAN on 4 January 1986 and took up positions within the Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving community including 2IC and OIC of the RAN Diving School, as well as two years as the Commanding Officer of HMAS Protector (now the DMS vessel Seahorse Horizon).
LCDR Sweeney retired from the Permanent Naval Force at age 55 on 3 October 2001 and immediately began continuous full-time service as the 2IC of the RAN Diving School, where he views his position as a "very rewarding face-to-face job".
During his time in both Navies, LCDR Sweeney said that his highlights included qualifying as a Clearance Diver and Advanced Clearance Diver as a Leading Hand, graduating from Britannia Naval College and joining the RAN.
LCDR Sweeney's time as OIC of the RAN Diving School, Leadership Management School and CO of Protector has been highlights of his service during his time in the RAN. He now looks forward to completing 50 years continuous service in the navy to round off a rewarding and challenging career.
LCDR Sweeney received three Commander in Chief's Commendations for Diving and Explosive Ordnance related work while in the RN.
