Two officers pass inaugural Australian Submarine Command Course

Australia has successfully launched a sovereign training program to produce its own next generation of submarine commanders, with two Royal Australian Navy submariners passing the inaugural Australian Submarine Command Course.

CAPTION: Royal Australian Navy submarine HMAS Waller sails in company with HMAS Warramunga during the inaugural Australian Submarine Command Course off Australia’s east coast. Photo by Able Seaman Jarryd Capper.

The Royal Australian Navy conducted the course in early 2022 after decades of relying on allied navies for training to assess submarine commanding officers.

The four-month course culminated in a four-week high-intensity sea assessment of the candidates in a range of undersea and special-warfare scenarios using other Navy ships and submarines and Australian Defence Force aircraft and special forces units.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Matt Keogh said the home-grown capability would better meet Australia’s evolving workforce needs.

“The men and women of the Australian Defence Force are our most important capability, so upskilling them to meet our current and future needs is critical,” Minister Keogh said.

“Our Navy can’t wait until new capabilities are ready to train the next generation of leaders – these commanders must be fully equipped for when the submarines enter into service.”

The locally designed and delivered Australian Submarine Command Course is one example of how the Navy is evolving to meet workforce growth targets.

“By delivering the course in Australia, the Navy can determine the timing and content of the course and optimise it to meet our requirements,” Minister Keogh said.

“I congratulate the newly qualified submarine commanders for passing this demanding course.”

Before the launch of this Australian course, Royal Australian Navy submarine commanding officers had been trained in the UK with the Royal Navy, and then by the Royal Netherlands Navy.

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