Sabden man is Royal Navy officer now

A 23-year-old from Sabden has celebrated his formal commissioning as a Royal Navy officer on parade at Britannia Royal Naval College
Midshipman JayJay Rainford, from SabdenMidshipman JayJay Rainford, from Sabden
Midshipman JayJay Rainford, from Sabden

Midshipman JayJay Rainford was one of 115 officer cadets who took part in the parade, watched by their families, friends and distinguished guests, including General Sir Nicholas Houghton, Chief of Defence Staff, who was the VIP inspecting officer.

To earn his place on the parade ground JayJay completed an intensive 30-week training course, which was split 
into three distinct 10-week phases.

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While the first two took place predominately at the world-renowned college in Devon, JayJay spent the final phase of his training assigned to HMS Illustrious.

While he was on board, the ship visited Rosyth for the naming ceremony of 
the Royal Navy’s new aircraft 
carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, performed by the Queen.

The ship also visited Lisbon and took part in Exercise Deep Blue, an anti-submarine warfare exercise involving Merlin helicopters from the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose.

JayJay said: “Training is as much about change as development; due to this I am an all-round better leader.

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“Having started the path to this commission seven years ago at school I am more than ready to do my duty and to work hard for the interests of our nation.

“My future, as with all jobs in the fast-paced lifestyle of the Royal Navy, is unpredictable. However it would be an honour to eventually reach the rank of commodore and work within the international arena of diplomacy.”

A former pupil of Ribblesdale High School Technology College and Wellbeck Defence Sixth Form College, JayJay achieved a degree in electrical and electronic engineering at Loughborough University in July, 2013.

With the first phase of his training complete he will transfer to HMS Collingwood, in Hampshire to begin his 
professional training to 
become a weapons engineering officer.

Details of career opportunities within the Royal Navy are available online at www.royalnavy.mod.uk or by calling the recruitment line on 08456 07 55 55.