Royal Navy: "Proud" HMS Sultan dad watches daughter finish training at Gosport base in memorable family moment
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Warrant Officer 1 Scott Whiting watched his daughter, Heidi, Pass Out of her studies at HMS Sultan. The Probationary Leading Engineering Technician (PLET), specialising in Marine Engineering, completed her Engineering Technician Initial Career Course (ETICC).
“I’m very proud to be directly involved with my daughter’s passing out into the Branch as a Marine Engineer – something I thought I would never see,” WO1 Whiting said, “and that she is following in the modern version of my Naval apprenticeship makes it even more remarkable.”
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Heidi said: “I always knew that joining the Royal Navy was going to be an option. There are many reasons as to why I wanted to join but my dad has played a big part in this. From being small he would take me down into the engine rooms during families’ days on ship, and I believe this is where it started.
Heidi joined the Royal Navy in February, training as an Engineering Technician on an Accelerated Apprenticeship scheme. After completing 10 weeks Phase One training at HMS Raleigh, learning basic military skills, she joined HMS Sultan for Phase Two to develop her professional skills - being fast-tracked to Phase Three to learn more leadership capabilities.
Completion of ETICC sees trainees equipped with the necessary skills to join their first Marine Engineering Departments at Sea, supporting global Royal Navy operations. Heidi will soon be allocated to her first ship, with her also able to gain a Foundation Degree in Engineering from the University of Portsmouth.


She added: “I studied engineering at college which has landed me being successful in the selection for the Accelerated Apprenticeship Scheme for Marine Engineering, therefore since completing my course at ETICC I will be staying at HMS Sultan to complete my Phase 3, leading hands course and I am looking forward to what my future role will be.”
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Hide AdWO1 Whiting joined the Royal Navy as an Artificer Apprentice in 1984. He would go on to serve as a Marine Engineering Technician on HMS Intrepid, Ark Royal, Brazen, Brave, Hurworth, Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Enterprise. He has been awarded medal for operations in the Gulf as well as for the Gold, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee and has also received a Long Service and Good Conduct award and two clasp bars, in recognition over 35 years of distinguished service.
WO1 Whiting took on his present role in ETICC just three weeks prior to the completion of his daughter’s training. “Initially I was concerned that taking over the role there, might cause a conflict of interests, however, the divisional staff within my team handled what could be a delicate area with expert professionalism. With 40 years of Naval service, my role within ETICC will be my last before I retire. I hope that Heidi will also enjoy a long and successful career.”
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