Officers receive wings and degree

The foundation course is recognised by the Open University

A training programme to get more people into the Royal Navy has seen its first graduates collect their wings.

Four of the officers collecting their wings at a ceremony at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset also achieved a foundation degree as part of their training.

The Royal Navy says this kind of training represents the future.

"We can compete against universities now, we can offer £25,000 while you are in our academy and offer a career and pension," said Cdr Ivor Milne (Retd).

The foundation degree course is accredited by the Open University.

Vice Admiral Adrian Johns, head of Fleet Air Arm Yeovilton, said in the past parents and teachers would had advised people to go to university first then join the Royal Navy.

"Why not join the Navy now do your flying training get a foundation degree and the navy will pay you to do your bachelor's?"

The next stage of their careers will be postings on active service where they will complete their full degree courses.