MANAGEMENT CHANGES IN THE ROYAL NAVY

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS<O:P> </O:P>

Changes in the way that the Navy operates, is manned, supported and trained are being implemented. Though fleet strength has fallen by over 30% in the past 10 years the level of demands on the fleet remains undiminished. Therefore, a variety of measures are being undertaken to make best use of the ships in service and to streamline the command and HQ system. The chain of command diagrams of recent years have now been overtaken by fundamental changes and this is explained below. <O:P></O:P><O:P></O:P>

Examples of changes are everywhere, not least the fact that the system of Squadrons of ships and submarines, each commanded by a Captain (F), (D) or (SM), has gone. Previously, the Commanding Officer of an individual ship would know that his Captain (F) was the person to whom he was responsible for the operational performance of his ship as a fleet unit. The Squadron staff, mostly based in Captain (F)’s ship, was there to advise the less experienced specialists in individual ships. However, a shrinking but busy fleet, deployed worldwide, has meant that individual ships rarely met up with their Captain (F)’s ship. A more supportive and efficient command/management system was needed and now it is being put in place. <O:P></O:P><O:P></O:P>

Next, there is the question of sea training and in the past ships went to Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) at Portland to be mercilessly chased for six weeks before emerging hopefully with a 'Sat', not to return for perhaps two years. That has all changed and FOST is now responsible for training at sea on a continuing basis for all surface ships and submarines �?'from cradle to grave'. These are examples of two of many changes.<O:P> </O:P>