New Entry Officer Course
The New Entry Officer Course (NEOC) teaches the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to be an effective junior naval officer. The course is approximately six months long and is residential, requiring students to live at HMAS Creswell.
Creswell is at Jervis Bay, surrounded by Booderee National Park, 90 minutes south of Sydney. The biggest challenge of the course is understanding what it means to be a naval officer. The primary responsibility of an officer is the welfare of their sailors and to uphold the Navy's core values of honour, honesty, courage, integrity and loyalty. The first four weeks of the course is the Initial Training Period (ITP). ITP is intensive and teaches the basics of military life. These include military discipline, how to wear a uniform with pride, how to move around in a military manner and to correctly interact with other officers as well as sailors. There is no leave during ITP as these activities run seven days a week.
The course's first challenge is learning to live in communally with your new division mates. Each trainee has their own single cabin, however all trainees share communal heads (toilets) and showers. Each cabin will be required to be set up in a specific fashion, with minimal personal effects unpacked during ITP, however once ITP is complete there will be the freedom to put out a limited number of personal effects.
NEOC is about naval leadership, requiring team member and team leader qualities. And development of mateship with fellow junior officers on the course is an important part of a career in the RAN.
Those completing the NEOC are recognized as RAN Junior Officers (non-specialist) and will also receive a Certificate IV in Frontline Management, as the RAN is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
Training Summary
Administration
This time is reserved for miscellaneous tasks. These include, but are not limited to, attending medicals, uniform issue, social functions and paperwork. This time can also be used to keep in touch with family.
Communications
These lessons teach communication skills within the military, including the format for verbal communications and the use of templates for written material. This is an important module, because officers are expected to be proficient communicators.
Divisional System
The RAN's Divisional System facilitates effective personnel management and the RANC creates the opportunity to experience it first hand. Trainees are taught how the Divisional System is applied throughout the rest of the RAN and given a brief introduction to the role of the Divisional Officer (DO). Formal training as a DO comes later in the Junior Officer Leadership Course (JOLC).
Equity & Diversity Awareness
Being an equal opportunity employer, the RAN requires all it's members to undergo Equity and Diversity (E&D) training. This course teaches the various ADF and Navy policies in regard to E&D and also the Equity Adviser Network, which exists to aid people in resolving E&D issues.
F88 Steyr Rifle Course
The F88 Austeyr Rifle is the primary service weapon of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Training in how to use this weapon is conducted over a week and covers safe handling, how to strip and assemble it, as well as a live range shoot at Canberra's Majura Field Firing Range.
Leadership
The job of a RAN officer is to lead by example. RANC provides lessons in leadership which includes learning how to apply the Navy's military leadership model to various situations, as well as opportunities to develop leadership potential through numerous practical exercises.
Maritime Studies (Boatwork)
Maritime studies covers learning to drive HMAS Creswell's work boats and the Navy's Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs). Completion of the course includes certification for a TL3 (National Power Boat Scheme) licence - obtainable from the NSW Maritime authority or the RTA.
Naval Weapons and Technology
"What sort of guns do the ships have?"is often the first question asked of Navy personnel. NEOC covers the RAN's range of weaponry and supporting technology such as radar, sonar etc.
9mm Pistol Course
This course is run over two days. Day one involves correct handling and firing followed by a test. Day two is devoted to practical skills at the Beecroft Range Facility at Point Perpendicular. A score of at least 64 out of 80 is required for a pass.
OHS and Risk Management Induction
The RAN takes very seriously its responsibility to provide a safe working environment. This course teaches the principles of Occupational Health and Safety and how they apply within the RAN.
Parade and Ceremonial
Ceremonies, drills and marching are part of the military. Towards the end of the course, trainees take the Power of Command test - an assessment of drill and command knowledge.
Personal Development
These lessons assist trainees identify personal strengths and weaknesses in themselves and others. They include application of Navy values as integral to moral and ethical leadership.
Physical Training
Physical Training Instructors (PTIs) raise trainees' physical fitness to required levels. PT includes what is known as Early Morning Activities (EMA), conducted at 0545h every second day. EMA activities include running, circuit training and pack marches, to name a few.
RAN History
In order to take advantage of past mistakes and successes the course covers RAN history. Course work is assessed through an exam as well as a military history essay. The person who writes the best essay will receive the Naval Historical Society Prize from the reviewing officer at the graduation day ceremonies.
RAN Initial First Aid Course
The RAN Initial First Aid Course is run over two and a half days and covers everything from Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Expired Air Resuscitation (EAR), to how to apply a Pressure Immobilisation Bandage (PIB) bandage to a snake bite, or even how to treat someone for hypothermia.
RAN Organisation
This course covers RAN structure. It includes the rank and rating system, honours and awards, and the ships and establishments of the RAN.
Sea Familiarisation
The first sea familiarisation experience for trainees is a weeklong adventure on board the College's vessel, Seahorse Horizon, where the basics of seamanship learnt in the classroom are applied. In the last 24 hours of this trip each division takes a turn at command, overseen by Navy staff.
The next exposure to sea will be on the four-week Sea Training Deployment. Each division will accompany a Major Fleet Unit (MFU), for example the Adelaide frigate HMAS Sydney, for whatever activities they are conducting. Trainees become crew members for this period, and are involved in all their activities. To appreciate the various departments on board ship, trainees also complete a task book during this time. Port visits, around Australia and overseas, are an additional advantage of this activity.
Security Acquaint Course
This is a one-day course on how security works within the military and, in particular, the RAN.
Standard Combat Survivability
This course is conducted at the Ran School of Sea Safety and Survivability (RANSSSS) located near the RANC. It covers threats to the ship and crew, which includes fighting fires, performing flood control, and reacting to various hazardous situations, commonly referred to as Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence (NBCD) training.
Survival at Sea
A prerequisite for joining the Navy is serving at sea., which requires being able to abandon ship correctly. Such knowledge includes how to: wear a thermal suit, enter the water from the side of a ship, use the life jackets, enter a standard RAN life raft as well as attracting rescuers' attention.
Systems Management
These lessons cover the various systems employed by the RAN including Microsoft Office through to the personnel management systems.
