Royal navy training organisation
Military unit
The Fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST ) is a Royal Navy training organisation.[ 1] FOST is the training organisation responsible for ensuring that Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels are fit to join the operational fleet.[ 1]
Commander Fleet Operational Standards and Training Headquarters (COM FOST HQ) is the HQ from where FOST is run, and this is headed up by a Commodore.[ 2]
Operations room staff on board HMS Illustrious during Basic Operational Sea Training. A. Cecil Hampshire's "The Royal Navy Since 1945" writes that
[U]nder the system of Home Service, General Service, and Foreign Service commissions which was introduced in 1954, warships required to be re-manned with completely new crews more frequently than in the old days of "running" commissions. Thus in September 1958 under a Flag Officer Sea Training, special "shakedown" or settling in courses lasting seven weeks were started to train the crews of newly commissioned ships in operating their equipment and give them experience in dealing with every eventuality likely to be met with in subsequent service at home and abroad.
Portland was the selected location and by the time Hampshire wrote in the early 1970s, "warships from other NATO and Commonwealth countries and from foreign navies" were undertaking the same courses of training.
Originally operating out of Portland ,[ 4] Flag Officer Sea Training moved to Plymouth in 1995 when Rear-Admiral John Tolhurst transferred his flag courtesy of HMS Iron Duke . FOST's superior officer changed from Flag Officer Surface Flotilla to Commander-in-Chief Fleet .[ 5]
As a result of the Royal Navy programme 'Fleet First', FOST became the single command responsible for all sea training. The submarine sea-training organisation came under FOST and surface ship training previously undertaken by Flag Officer Surface Flotilla and the squadron staffs also shifted to FOST.[ 6]
FOST operates a pair of Eurocopter Dauphin helicopters to allow its instructors to join vessels with minimal delay during intense training periods.[ 7] Plymouth Airport closed on 23 December 2011.[ 8] The aircraft operate from HMS Raleigh in Cornwall but are based at Newquay .[ 9]
As well as training Royal Navy personnel, it has also been an important source of revenue in training foreign naval crews to handle and fight their vessels, with around one third of its work used in this capacity.[ 7]
A March 2020 edition of Navy News noted that the Director People and Training took over the commands under FOST, namely BRNC Dartmouth , HMS Raleigh , Commando Training Centre Royal Marines , HMS Collingwood and HMS Temeraire .[ 10]
In May 2020, Flag Officer Sea Training became Fleet Operational Sea Training[ 11] and the position was taken up by a Commodore in the appointment of Commander Fleet Operational Sea Training (COM FOST).[ 12]
The main training and testing period is called Basic Operational Sea Training (BOST), which typically lasts six weeks. It combines surveys of the physical condition of the ship with tests of the crew's readiness for deployment, including a weekly war-fighting and damage control scenario known as a 'Thursday War '. BOST thus has elements of the US Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) and Composite Training Unit Exercise assessments. When USS Forrest Sherman underwent a short version of BOST in 2012, comments from her sailors included "I've been through other exercises, inspections, and deployment and this was by far the hardest ... It was even more intense than INSURV ".[ 13]
Flag Officer Sea Training [ edit ] Flag Officers Sea Training included:[ 14]
Vice-Admiral William G. Crawford , September 1958-August 1960 Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Gretton , August 1960-December 1961 Rear-Admiral Horace R. Law , December 1961-May 1963 Rear-Admiral Patrick U. Bayly , May 1963-April 1965 Rear-Admiral Philip G. Sharp , April 1965-July 1967 Rear-Admiral John C. Y. Roxburgh , July 1967-May 1969 Rear-Admiral J. Anthony R. Troup , May 1969-March 1971 Rear-Admiral E. Gerard N. Mansfield , March 1971-October 1972 Rear-Admiral John O. Roberts , October 1972-April 1974 Rear-Admiral James H. F. Eberle , April 1974-April 1975 Rear-Admiral John R.S. Gerard-Pearse , April 1975-November 1976 Rear-Admiral Gwynedd I. Pritchard , November 1976-November 1978 Rear-Admiral Anthony J. Whetstone , November 1978-September 1980 Rear-Admiral David M. Eckersley-Maslin , September 1980-April 1982 Rear-Admiral John M. Webster , April 1982-May 1984 Rear-Admiral Michael H. Livesay , May 1984-December 1985 Rear-Admiral Barry N. Wilson , December 1985-June 1987 Rear-Admiral John F. Coward , June 1987-June 1988 Rear-Admiral Roy T. Newman , June 1988-December 1989 Rear-Admiral A. Bruce Richardson , December 1989-July 1991 Rear-Admiral Michael C. Boyce , July 1991-September 1992 Rear-Admiral John G. Tolhurst , September 1992-April 1996 Rear-Admiral Peter M. Franklyn , April 1996-July 1997 Rear-Admiral R. John Lippiett , July 1997-September 1999 Rear-Admiral Alexander K. Backus , September 1999-November 2001 Rear-Admiral James C. Rapp , November 2001-April 2004 Rear-Admiral Roger S. Ainsley , April 2004-June 2006 Rear-Admiral Anthony J. Rix , June 2006-May 2007 Rear-Admiral Richard J. Ibbotson , May 2007-February 2009 Rear-Admiral Christopher A. Snow , February 2009-July 2011 Rear-Admiral Clive C. C. Johnstone , July 2011-April 2013 Rear-Admiral Benjamin J. Key , April 2013-July 2015 Flag Officer Sea Training and Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Training)[ edit ] Post holders include:[ 15]
Commander Fleet Operational Sea Training [ edit ] Commodore Andrew Stacey, circa June 2020[ 16] ^ a b "FOST Royal Navy" . www.royalnavy.mod.uk . MOD, 2017. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2017 . ^ "Who is the new Flag Officer Sea Training" (PDF) . whatdotheyknow.com . Whatdotheyknow. 27 April 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020 . In response to your request, I can advise you that the title Flag Officer Sea Training will cease to exist on 1 May 2020 and is replaced by the 1* post of Commander Fleet Operational Sea Training ^ Navy marks 50th year of world-renowned training Archived September 30, 2011, at the Wayback Machine ^ Joris Janssen Lok, 'FOST: Preparing the RN's ships for action,' Jane's Defence Weekly , 15 July 1995, p.31 ^ Richard Scott, Jane's Defence Weekly January 2005, 27. ^ a b FOST page at helis.com ^ BBC Devon - Plymouth Airport Closed - 23 Dec 2011 ^ "This is Plymouth - FOST Helicopters Move - 21 Dec 2011" . Archived from the original on 12 January 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2012 . ^ "Integrating the way we work" . Navy News . 31 March 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2020 . ^ Flag Officer Sea Training Organisation Renamed , UK Defence Journal, June 29, 2020. ^ "Who is the new Flag Officer Sea Training" (PDF) . whatdotheyknow.com . Whatdotheyknow. 27 April 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020 . In response to your request, I can advise you that the title Flag Officer Sea Training will cease to exist on 1 May 2020 and is replaced by the 1* post of Commander Fleet Operational Sea Training ^ "American warship put to the ultimate test by Royal Navy trainers" . Navy News . 26 April 2012. ^ Mackie, Colin. "Senior Royal Navy Appointments from 1865: Flag Officer, Sea Training" (PDF) . Gulabin . Colin Mackie, p.245, January 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017 . ^ Mackie, Colin. "Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865" (PDF) . gulabin.com . Colin Mackie 2018. p.245. Retrieved 7 June 2018 . ^ Flag Officer Sea Training Organisation Renamed , UK Defence Journal, June 29, 2020. Hampshire, A. Cecil (1975). The Royal Navy Since 1945 . London: William Kimber & Co. Ltd. p. 176. ISBN 0718300343 .
oversight TLB holder TLB group under TLB holder Fleet Command maritime forces amphibious forces maritime operations naval training regional forces navy personnel and capability naval personnel naval capability aviation and carriers Deputy Director Naval Aviation – submarines surface ships support policy finance and resources
Leadership Components
History and future Operating forces Fleet Ships Administration Senior officers Personnel and training Equipment Former leadership
Direction and control of Admiralty and Naval affairs Boards and offices under the First Lord Direction of Admirals Naval/Sea Lords War and Naval Staff Secretariat and staff under the First Sea Lord Operational planning, policy strategy, tactical doctrine requirements Divisions and sections under the War and Naval Staff Offices of the Sea Lords Admiralty civil departments and organisations under the Sea Lords Admiralty Area Cash Offices Admiralty Central Dockyard Laboratory Admiralty Central Metallurgical Laboratory Admiralty Civilian Shore Wireless Service Admiralty Compass Observatory Admiralty Constabulary Admiralty Constabulary Headquarters Admiralty Engineering Laboratory Admiralty Experimental Station Admiralty Experiment Works Admiralty Gunnery Establishment Admiralty Interview Board Admiralty Labour Department Admiralty Marine Technology Establishment Admiralty Materials Laboratory Admiralty Mine Design Department Admiralty Mining Establishment Admiralty Naval Aircraft Materials Laboratory Admiralty Record Office Admiralty Regional Offices Admiralty Research Laboratory Admiralty Signal Establishment Admiralty Signals and Radar Establishment Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment Admiralty Surveying Service Admiralty Torpedo Experimental Establishment Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment Admiralty Underwater Weapons Launching Establishment Architectural and Engineering Works Department Air Equipment and Naval Photography Department Air Department Air Materiel Department Air Personnel Department Amphibious Warfare Headquarters Armament Supply Department Board of Invention and Research Board of Longitude Boom Defence Department Boom Defence and Marine Salvage Department Britannia Royal Naval College Chemical Board Chemical Department Civil Catering Department Civil Engineer in Chiefs Department Coastguard and Reserves Branch Combined Operations Headquarters Commissioner for Property and Income-tax for the Naval Department Compass Department Contract and Purchase Department Council of Naval Education Dental Examining Board Department of Radio Equipment Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy Department of Aeronautical and Engineering Research Department of Miscellaneous Weapons Development Department of Naval Assistant (Foreign) to Second Sea Lord Department of Naval Education Operational Research Department of Personal Services and Officer Appointments Department of Physical Research Department of Physical Training & Sports Department of Radio Equipment Department of Research Programmes and Planning Department of Superintendent of de-magnetisation Department of the Admiral of the Training Service Department of the Chief Inspector of Naval Ordnance Department of the Chief of Naval Information Department of the Chief Scientist Department of the Civil Engineer-in-Chief Department of the Comptroller of Steam Machinery Department of the Comptroller of Victualling and Transport Services Department of the Controller of the Navy Department of the Controller-General of Merchant Shipbuilding Department of the Controller for Navy Pay Department of the Deputy Controller for Auxiliary Shipbuilding Department of the Deputy Controller for Dockyards and Shipbuilding Department of the Director Contract-Built Ships Department of the Director-General Aircraft Department of the Director-General of Manpower Department of the Director-General, Supply and Secretariat Branch Department of the Director of Aircraft Maintenance and Repair Department of the Director of Contract Labour Department of the Director of Dockyards Department of the Director of Electrical Engineering Department of the Director of Manning Department of the Director of Merchant Shipbuilding Department of the Director of Merchant Shipbuilding and Repairs Department of the Director of Merchant Ship Repairs Department of the Director of Naval Construction Department of the Director of Naval Equipment Department of the Director of Naval Recruiting Department of the Director of Naval Weather Service Department of the Director of Personal Services Department of the Director of Physical Training and Sports Department of the Director of Torpedoes and Mining Department of the Director of Transports Department of the Director of Underwater Weapons Department of the Director of Underwater Weapons Materials Department of the Director of Unexploded Bombs Department of the Director of Warship Production Department of the Director of Welfare and Service Conditions Department of the Director of Wreck Dispersal Department of the Flag Officer Sea Training Department of the Engineer in Chief Department of the Paymaster Director-General Department of the Inspector of Anti-Aircraft Weapons Department of the Inspector of Dockyard Expense Accounts Department of the Inspector-General of Naval Hospitals and Fleets Department of the Medical Director-General of the Navy Department of the Physician of the Navy Department of the Physician General of the Navy Department of the Storekeeper-General of the Navy Department of the Surveyor of Buildings Department of the Surveyor of Dockyards Directorate-General, (Naval Manpower and Training) Directorate General Training Dockyards and Fleet Maintenance Department Dockyards Branch Dockyard Expense Accounts Department Dockyard Schools Electrical Engineering Department Engineer Branch Engineering Department Experimental Department Fire Control Group Greenwich Hospital Department Inspector of Telegraphs Inspector of Repairs Joint Warfare Establishment Medical Consultative Board Medical Examining Board Historical Section Hydrographic Department Marine Department Marine Pay Department Materials and Priority Department Medical Consultative Board Medical Department Medical Examining Board Movements Department Nautical Almanac Office Naval Artillery and Torpedo Department Naval Engineering College Naval Equipment Department Naval Historical Branch Naval Construction Department Naval Intelligence Department Naval Medical Service Naval Law Division Naval Manpower Department Naval Mobilisation Department Naval Ordnance Department Naval Ordnance Inspection Department Naval Ordnance Stores Department Naval Personnel Services and Officer Appointments Department Naval Publicity Department Naval Regional Offices Naval Reserve Department Naval Security Department Naval Stores Department Naval Training Department Naval Works Department Navy, Army and Air Force Institute Navy and Army Canteen Board Navy Works Department Navigation Department Observatory at the Cape of Good Hope Office of the Admiral Commanding Coast Guard and Reserves Office of the Admiral Commanding, Reserves Office of the Admiralty Chemist Office of the Adviser on the Naval Construction to the Board of Admiralty Office of the Assistant Controller Office of the Assistant Controller Research and Development Office of the Clerk of the Journals Office of the Chief Polaris Executive Office of the Deputy Controller of Navy Office of the Deputy Controller Production Office of Extra Naval Assistant to Second Sea Lord Office of the Inspector Gun Mountings Office of the Keeper of Records Office of the Senior Psychologist (Naval) Office of the Senior Psychologist of the Navy Office of the Translator of French and Spanish Languages Office of the Vice Controller Air Office of the Vice Controller of the Navy Organisation and Methods Department Packet Service Regional Organisation for Merchant Shipbuilding and Repairs Royal Corps of Naval Constructors Royal Flying Corps Royal Marine Police Royal Marines Office Office of the Chaplain of the Fleet Royal Naval Academy Royal Naval Aircraft Workshops Royal Naval Air Service Royal Naval Air Stations Royal Naval Armaments Depot Royal Naval Auxiliary Service Royal Naval Cordite Factories Royal Naval Propellant Factory Royal Naval College Royal Naval College and the School for Naval Architecture Royal Naval College, Dartmouth Royal Naval College, Greenwich Royal Naval College, Keyham Royal Naval College, Osborne Royal Naval Engineering College Royal Naval Film Corporation Royal Naval Hospital Royal Naval Medical Depot Royal Naval Minewatching Service Royal Naval Mine Depot Royal Naval Patrol Service Royal Naval Scientific Service Royal Naval Sick Quarters Royal Naval Torpedo Depot Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Royal Naval War College Royal Naval War College, Portsmouth Royal Navy Dockyard Royal Navy Medical Service Royal Navy Shore Signal Service Royal Observatory, Greenwich Royal School of Naval Architecture Salvage Department School of Mathematics and Naval Construction Scientific Research and Experiment Department Sea Transport Branch Sea Transport Department Sea Transport Division Ship Department Ship Design Department Signal Department Signal School Sixpenny Office Statistics Department Steam Department Superintendent of De-magnetisation Torpedo Experimental Establishment Transport Department Undersurface Warfare Department Victualling Department Volunteer Boys and Cadet Corps Weapons Department Weapons Department (Naval) Women's Royal Naval Service Wireless Telegraphy Board Direction/Command of the Fleet Naval formations after 1707 1st Fleet 2nd Fleet 3rd Fleet Commander-in-Chief, Africa Atlantic Fleet Commodore, Arabian Seas and Persian Gulf Australia Station Cape of Good Hope Station Cape and West Africa Station Battle Cruiser Fleet Battle Cruiser Force Caspian Flotilla Channel Fleet Channel Squadron Commander-in-Chief, Coast of Ireland Cork Station Coast of Scotland Commander-in-Chief, China Commander-in-Chief, Dover Flag Officer, East Africa East Indies Station East Indies and China Station Eastern Fleet Far East Fleet English Channel Grand Fleet Flag Officer Gibraltar Harwich Force Home Fleet Jamaica Station Leith Station Commander-in-Chief, Levant Levant and East Mediterranean Commander-in-Chief, Leeward Islands Mediterranean Fleet Medway Newfoundland Station New Zealand Division New Zealand Naval Forces Nore North America and West Indies Station Commander-in-Chief, North Sea Admiral Commanding, Orkneys and Shetlands Pacific Fleet Pacific Station Admiral of Patrols Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth Queenstown Station Royal East African Navy Royal Indian Navy Flag Officer Submarines Commander-in-Chief, Rosyth Reserve Fleet Scotland and Northern Ireland Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic South East Coast of America Station Commander-in-Chief, Thames and Medway West Africa Squadron Flag Officer, West Africa Commander-in-Chief, Western Approaches Naval formations before 1707 Direction of Naval Finance Departments under the Parliamentary and Financial Secretary Direction of Naval Administration and the Admiralty Secretariat Branches and offices under the Permanent Secretary Civil Administration Departments under the Civil Lords Legal