Week 1 - Waller Division Intake 267

Hello and welcome to GE267 – Waller Division. This week saw the entry of our newest recruits to the Royal Australian Navy. One hundred and fifty two (152) eager personnel joined our division on Monday 09 March 2009, ready to embark on their new career. To progress to the next stage of their career, our recruits must successfully complete the next 11 weeks of initial training.

Monday began with recruits flying in from their respective recruiting centres to HMAS Cerberus, Westernport, Victoria. On arrival to Recruit School, they were given a short induction brief before being introduced to their new home - Waller Division.

On Tuesday, the division was split into seven classes – Adelaide, Canberra, Sydney, Darwin, Melbourne, Newcastle, and Brisbane. Recruits were introduced to their new Recruit School Instructors and Divisional Staff before given their first marching lessons.

Sydney Class (Instructor LSMT Buck) practising drill prior to being issued their uniforms.

Melbourne Class (Instructor LSCK Chandler) standing “at ease” during drill practise.

The remainder of the week was spent conducting various administration briefs, and filling out vital paperwork including passports, security packs and most importantly, pay details! The briefs were broken up with the conduct of the RAN swimming test, an introduction to Physical Training, and most importantly the basics of drill and marching.

Canberra Class (Instructor LSET Brook) being briefed by Waller division physical training instructor (PTI) prior to 50 metre swim and 15 minute tread water which form part of the RAN swim test (image 1).

Canberra Class (Instructor LSET Brook) being briefed by Waller division physical training instructor (PTI) prior to 50 metre swim and 15 minute tread water which form part of the RAN swim test (image 2).

Darwin class being briefed by the PTI on how to complete the wall hang.

Four members of Darwin Class attempting the wall hang.

Waller recruits ready to do pushups.

Waller recruits ready to do situps.

Waller recruits running the 2.4km time trial (image 1).

Waller recruits running the 2.4km time trial. (image 2).

By the end of the week a noticeable change was already apparent in the recruits as they make the large and challenging transition to a military lifestyle.

Jack Speak

Matelot – From the French – pronounced Mat low. The Sailor’s name for himself.

Recruit Comment

“Best things from the first week have been learning how to march and learning how to work as a team”; RCTBM Chris Johnson 24 years from Legana, Tasmania.