Royal Australian Navy Divers Ready for The Deep

Training & Education

Royal Australian Navy Divers Ready for Deep

A sailor who likes tough challenges has scooped the dux award and the ‘Gutz’ prize at the graduation ceremony for Basic Clearance Divers Course 80.

SMNCD Joshua Hilliard received the J.N. Ingram Memorial Shield as dux and the Bill Fitzgerald ‘Gutz’ prize for the Best Performer at Physical Training at HMAS Penguin on Friday, May 25.

SMNCD Hilliard, who is posted to AUSCDT-One at HMAS Waterhen, said he always wanted to be a diver because he loves the water and tough challenges.

“It was hard work but it was worth it because this is the job that will always challenge me mentally and physically,” he said.

SMNCD Hilliard, 22, was one of nine sailors who graduated from the Basic Clearance Divers Course.

OIC RAN Dive School, LCDR Russ Crawford praised the graduates for their dedication and the staff of the RAN Dive School for their mentoring which enabled the students to reach such a high professional standard.

LCDR Crawford said it takes a particular kind of courage and motivation to time and time again to pull on the wetsuit to do a dirty, dangerous and lonely job that many other people would not do.

“The nine graduates have been under constant instruction with countless assessments over the past nine-months, during which time they demonstrated the skills necessary to operate as Clearance Divers in the RAN,” he said.

The course covered basic demolitions, deep air, tools, Maritime tactical Operations, Mine Counter Measures, Ship Bourne Improvised Explosive Device Disposal, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Demolitions.

The graduates of BCDC 80 are SMNCD Dan Ryan, SMNCD Nick McMaster, SMNCD Pierre- Jean Roper, SMNCD Aiden Glenn, SMNCD Robert Abbott, SMNCD Steve Palu, SMNCD Luke Allen, SMNCD Joshua Hilliard, and SMNCD Joshua Lee.

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Naval Today Staff, June 19, 2012; Image: Australian Navy