As many as 234 trainees, including women and Coast Guard trainees, who completed the Naval Academy Course (NAC) and the Naval Orientation Course (NOC) at the Indian Naval Academy (INA) at Ezhimala here passed out on Saturday on completion of their training.
The passing out parade of the trainees of the 79 th NAC and ninth NOC was reviewed by Vice Admiral K.N. Sushil, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-IN-C), Southern Naval Command. The NOC had
commenced in January 2007 in the INS Mandovi, the erstwhile Naval Academy in Goa, and completed here, while the NOC had begun here in June last. After reviewing the parade Admiral Sushil awarded medals, including the prestigious President's gold medal, to meritorious trainees.
Addressing the trainees, he said that the parade symbolised the ability of the institution and their ability to respond to the training and how they executed the training with precision and co-ordination. The training at the INA provided the foundation that would prepare the trainees to be capable officers trained to take part
in operations. "In doing so you are expected to have competence, character and courage", he said adding that the nation expected them to do their duty.
Academy cadet Captain Mario Chandi was awarded the President's gold medal. He was adjudged first in the overall order or merit in 10 + 2 NAC. Academy cadet Adjutant Ravikant Tiwari was awarded the Chief of
the Naval Staff silver medal for being adjudged the second in over all merit in the 10 + 2 Naval Academy course. Squadron Cadet Captain Aditya Raut,who was adjudged third in the merit, was presented the
bronze medal.
Shweta Parashar was adjudged first in the overall merit in the NOC and presented the Chief of the Naval Staff silver medal. Carl Tryon was awarded the INA Commandant Bronze medal for standing second.
Shweta Parashar was awarded FOC-IN-C South silver medal for being adjudged the best woman trainee of the NOC.
The passing out ceremony ended with the trainees forming two columns and marching past the quarter block in slow march to the tunes of 'Auld Lang Syne', a traditional martial tune played across the armed
forces when saying good bye to colleagues and comrades. On completion of the parade, the 'Shipping the Stripe' ceremony was conducted at the southern plaza of the INA. During this ceremony, parents of the NOC
trainees shipped the Naval and Cost Guard stripes of their wards. It symbolised the award of the President's commission to the young officers. The chief guest and other senior officers congratulated the trainees. The trainees magazine 'Ahoy' was released at the function.
INC officials said that on completion of the training at the INA, the officers would proceed for short attachments on board frontline warships of the Navy, followed by specialisation training in fields for which they had been selected while the cadets would proceed for their sea cadets training and subsequently mid-shipmen trainees on board the training ships of the Navy.
Commandant of the INA Rear Admiral Anurag G. Thapliyal was also present at the parade.
