New Entry Officers’ Course
A Ceremonial Sunset.
The New Entry Officers’ Course (NEOC) is designed to provide the skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours required of agile and resilient junior officers who are able to support the preparation of naval power in peace and war, and in routine or challenging strategic environments.
This residential course is approximately 15 weeks’ in duration and requires trainees to live at HMAS Creswell, which is located in Jervis Bay, surrounded by Booderee National Park.
Trainees are inducted through a three week initial training period (ITP) and are met with a number of challenges from the very beginning, including but not limited to: being separated from their known support network; living communally; following direction; physical exertion; making decisions whilst under fatigue; and moving with purpose. At the conclusion of ITP, the NEOC trainees will be exposed to a variety of learning experiences, such as combat survivability, weapon handling, first aid, firefighting and the law of armed conflict.
This course caters for differentiated learning by utilising blended learning methods, therefore knowledge and skills may be imparted through face to face instruction, online learning, group facilitation or even practical leadership exercises, all of which are demanding for different reasons. There is no leave granted during ITP as the training is conducted seven days a week – another challenge for the trainees is mobile phone access, for a defined period, is restricted to encourage communication and the development of social mastery.
NEOC is challenging and the demands on trainees are high, but dedicated staff are always on hand to provide vital guidance and support to assist trainees in operating at their highest potential, whilst they learn to uphold the Defence Values: service, courage, respect, integrity and excellence.
Training Summary
NEOC Graduation Parade.
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.
Officers conducting a brief.
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.
Division mustering.
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 Naval Officer Leadership Courses (NOLC).
Male and Female officers conversing.
Equity & Diversity Awareness
Being an equal opportunity employer, the RAN requires all its 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.
Standard military targets.
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.
Leadership in the field.
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.
Boats at mooring.
Maritime Studies (Boatwork)
Maritime studies covers learning to drive HMAS Creswell’s work boats and the Navy’s rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs).
Monitoring equipment.
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.
Equipment being moved with a jackstay.
WHS and Risk Management Induction
The RAN takes very seriously its responsibility to provide a safe working environment. This course teaches the principles of Work 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.
The Chaplain presenting a personal development lesson.
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.
The Pixley Cup.
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.
The Voyager memorial.
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.
Casulty under observation in Exercise.
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.
Three Huon Class Mine Hunters.
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.
Training vessel Seahorse Horizon.
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.
Various major fleet units at anchor.
The next exposure to sea will be on the Sea Training Deployment where trainees will join a Major Fleet Unit (MFU) for several weeks, for example the Landing Helicopter Dock HMAS Canberra, 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, is an additional advantage of this activity.
Helicopter conducting night operations.
Security Acquaint Course
This is a one day course on how security works within the military and, in particular, the RAN.
Firefighting training.
Standard Combat Survivability
This course is conducted at the RAN School of School of Survivability and Ship Safety (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.
Trainees in life raft.
Survival at Sea
A prerequisite for joining the Navy is serving at seam 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.
