Prince William kicks off navy training

This week saw Prince William begin his training with the Royal Navy in Dartmouth, Devon. William has jumped in head first, joining other recruits practicing maneuvers on the river Dart. William will be known as Sub-Lieutenant Wales during his 2 month attachment to the Navy.

Those two months will be broken down into a 3-week training session (which he began this week), and then a 5-week attachment on HMS Iron Duke. While on the frigate, William will participate in patrols of the Caribbean looking for drug boats.

Iron Duke's commander Mark Newland said, "His activities will be primarily based around watch-keeping, ship-driving as well as contributing to the counter-drugs planning. He will have a primary role in our disaster relief planning operations as well."

Prince William's training will include basic navigation and sea safety. He was also required to learn how to operate a Picket boat, performing an 180-degree turn and dropping anchor. Picket boats are small and fast, and often used on patrols.

Commander Paul Halton is the director of training at the Britannia Royal Naval College, where all Royal Navy officers begin their training. He said, "Sub-Lieutenant Wales is, of course, already a commissioned officer so we don't need to concern ourselves with the new entry elements of training. Rather we need to focus on ensuring that he has a good appreciation of the roles and capabilities of the Royal Navy."

In this short statement, he has summed up the goal he hopes Prince William will achieve during his 2 month stint with the Royal Navy ~ simply to gain an understanding and appreciation of what the Royal Navy is all about.

Prince William's first day of training was heavily covered by the press, and a short video is available on the BBC website. Click here for a link.