University Reserve Training Programme (URTP) Military Phase SAS SALDANHA Enquiries: Captain (SA Navy) M.J. GROBBELAAR mjgrobbelaar@yebo.co.za or 082 783 7469

Due to an acute shortage of qualified engineers in the SA Navy, a strategy has been initiated to improve the situation by promoting the SA Navy to engineers currently studying at universities. Engineers that qualify, are Mechanical, Electrical and to a lesser degree, Chemical. The first phase of the training consisted of a military phase that took place from 31 March to 5 April. Eight university students arrived at SAS SALDANHA with their sails set on joining the SA Navy University Reserve Training Programme.

Lt Mtsali conducting lectures with the students

Currently these 8 students are serving as Reserve Force members until such time that their studies have been completed. The first military phase is aimed to equip them as sailors for the remaining phases of the University Reserve Training Programme.

This is a SA National Defence Force initiative that has been running for the past 3 years. Capt (SAN) M.J. Grobbelaar is the person responsible for the SA Navy URTP’s recruitment, design of the course and promotion of this program at the different universities. During the pilot URTP programme, only students from the University of Cape Town and University of Stellenbosch will be included. Future URTP courses are envisaged in other provinces.

Male students standing by for inspection conducted by course instructor - WO 2 Thomas	Seaman Danica Bezuidenhout, the only female presently on course is standing by for inspection

The learners started the first phase of the pilot SA Navy URTP; that is the military phase; it exposed them to the naval environment, military culture such as, rank structure, seamanship, rope work and just being a sailor, drill work and survival at sea. The training forms part of the 1st phase for 2012. The remaining phases are as follows:

Students doing push ups. Keep fit boys	Students experiencing the life of a sailor in the SA Navy. Discipline is the cornerstone of the training
Students learning how to perform man overboard procedures	Students with their Divisional Officer Lt Cdr Nigrini on the HPV looking at the Naval activities in Saldanha Bay

Phase 1. Military training at SAS SALDANHA from 31 March – 5 April.

Phase 2. Engineering practical training : 2 - 20 Jul at Westlake Campus of False Bay College.

Phase 3. Engineering practical training : 3 – 7 Sep (UCT) and 10 – 17 Sep (US) at Westlake Campus of False Bay College.

Phase 4. Military training at Naval College from 19 November to 7 December.

Enquiries: Captain (SA Navy) M.J. GROBBELAAR mjgrobbelaar@yebo.co.za or 082 783 7469

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