Recruitment

For more information on a career in the QARNNS go to http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk and follow the links'

QARNNS Reserve

The QARNNS(R) are currently looking to recruit nurses from ITU, A&E, Theatres and Orthopaedics who have qualifications in these specialisations.  Life in the QARNNS(R) means that you get the best of both worlds.  For more information go to the Reserves page

Royal Navy recruit swaps music for medicine

A former Royal Marines Band Service member who used to play music at HMS Raleigh passing out parades has found herself in turn passing out to music played by her old Royal Marines Band colleagues, prior to embarking on training to become a naval nurse.

Just three months before Royal Navy recruit Laura Downer, from Dover, found herself on the parade ground at HMS Raleigh for her passing out, she was a regular on parade providing the military music at the weekly ceremony as a member of the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Plymouth.

Laura originally joined the Royal Marines Band Service in 2002 and played the clarinet and the violin during engagements all over the world. Although enjoying Service life, the 27-year-old wanted a career change to nursing and decided to transfer to the Royal Navy to fulfil her dream.

She began her nine-week basic training course at HMS Raleigh in June of this year – just two days after playing at her final parade with the band. Designed to teach recruits the basic skills they will rely on throughout their Royal Navy careers, the course culminated with the passing out parade, when Laura and her fellow recruits marched out to music played by her former Royal Marines Band colleagues.Laura said:"I was really proud to be on parade with the Royal Marines Band playing at my passing out. It brought back some great memories of my time with the Band Service. I have enjoyed my basic training and am really looking forward to the next phase of my training. I hope to be a good nurse and to go on to have a successful career."

With her basic training complete, Laura will shortly leave HMS Raleigh to begin a three-year nursing course at the University of Central England in Birmingham.

HMS Raleigh contributes to the operational capability of the Fleet by providing first class training to all ratings joining the Service along with professional courses in a variety of specialist areas including military training, seamanship, logistics and submarine operations.

New recruit Laura Downer (second right) with some of her former colleagues from the Royal Marines Band          [Picture: Dave Sherfield]