The Gunnery Rate ‘I’ Qualifying Course No. 1 was commenced at the Gunnery School of the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee, on 29th May 2023, with nine (09) Sailor Under Trainees, comprising three senior sailors and six junior sailors, for the first time in naval history.
The aim of this course is to impart further professional knowledge to sailors who have successfully completed the Gunnery Rate ‘II’ course. The syllabus of the course devotes 90% of the curriculum to gunnery related subjects, while 10% covers other relevant studies. The duration of the course is 15 weeks, and Sailor Under Trainees are given the opportunity to study the 100 mm, 76 mm, and 37 mm guns in depth onboard SLNS Parakramabahu and SLNS Vijayabahu considering the main guns that are presently used in the Sri Lanka Navy. Previously, the Gunnery Rate I Qualifying Course was conducted only at INS Dronacharya, India.
On successful completion of the course, trainees will be able to perform assigned duties as Gunnery Rate ‘I’ qualified sailors in a more professional manner.
The opening address and the welcome note of the inauguration ceremony of Gunnery Rate ‘I’ Qualifying Course No-1 were conducted by the Officer In Charge of the Gunnery School, Commander Dhanuka Rathnayake, RSP & Bar, psc. All the other officers and sailor instructors of the Gunnery School also participated in this historical event.
