RN Instructor Specialisation - Royal Naval College Greenwich Centenary 1873

Royal Naval College Greenwich Centenary 1873 - 1973

Changing Emphasis
The original Science Departments were all closed by .the Ministry of Defence (Navy) by 1971 as it was decided that their work could be more conveniently done at the Royal Naval Engineering College, Manadon, at Portsmouth and at other establishments (including Civilian Universities). The Department of Naval Architecture moved for similar reasons to University College, London, bringing to-a close a near century-old association between Greenwich and the Royal Corps of Naval Constructors. Once the only school of naval architecture in the world, this Department had an inter-national reputation for exacting work and high professional standards. Nearly 600 students, many from abroad, had learnt how to build ships in it and much of the world's navies, and virtually all ships of the Royal Navy, were designed by its graduates.

In 1959 a Department of Nuclear Science and Technology was opened (though there had been some nuclear instruction at Greenwich before this). The SSAC moved to Chatham in 1956 and the Instructor Officers' Course closed in 1970. The JOWC ended in 1958 as the entry age into the Navy had been raised to 18 and an academic 3rd-year added to the Dartmouth course as recommended by the Murray report. The Department of History and English was reduced in size as a result. and renamed first the Department of ,Humane Studies and then the Department of History and International Affairs. A Special Duties Officers'. Greenwich Course was started in 1958 and a Lieutenants' Greenwich Course in 1961.

The Present Organisation
The policy for Naval Education and Training is deter-mined by the Admiralty Board advised by the Naval Education Advisory Committee, a body of civilians distinguished in various fields of education. The Governor of Greenwich College is the Under-Secretary of State (RN) Ministry of Defence. The Admiral President is in command of the College and is also President of the War College and Staff College. The Captain of the College is accountable to the Admiral President for administration and discipline and is President of the Mess. Embodied in the Royal Naval College are the Lieutenants' Greenwich Course and the courses of the Staff College and the War College, together representing three levels of staff training; the Special Duties Officers' Greenwich Course and tile WRNS OTC. All of these courses are served by the Department of History and International Affairs.

In addition there are the courses provided by the Department of Nuclear Science and Technology in support of the naval nuclear power programme.

Since 1919 an Instructor Captain has held the office of Dean. He is responsible for general educational administration and assists the Admiral President with the co-ordination of the education and training activities. He also acts as Chairman of a Board of Studies constituted of the Heads and representatives of the Departments. In all there are some 50 naval and civilian lecturing staff and 28 supporting staff for about 300 students naval and civilian of all ranks.

The Office of the Chief Naval Judge Advocate is located in the College.

The Secretary, a Civil Servant, is responsible for the civil administration of the College, and all supporting services are provided by civilian non-industrial and industrial staff. The care of the buildings is in the hands of resident representatives of the Department of the Environment. The care of souls is under the Chaplain.

From 1972 the role of the Admiral President has been extended. He is now responsible to the Commander in Chief Naval Home Command not only for all that goes on at Greenwich but also for advice on the overall pattern of officer education (excluding engineering degrees) and staff training. Other tasks are to foster good relations with the public (including providing resources to other Service and civilian authorities and organisations), to assist in determining Nuclear education training requirements and standards, and to act as a 'point of contact' outside the MOD for Universities and other institutions concerned with Defence Studies. Greenwich, he is bidden to keep as a 'working National Monument' used 'to the best advantage of the Royal Navy'.