University Royal Naval Unit
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A University Royal Naval Unit (URNU) is a Royal Navy training establishment connected to a University, or a number of universities concentrated in one geographical area. Each URNU has land-based facilities near the University in question, four training officers (members of the Royal Naval Reserve) and a training vessel, currently an Archer-class P2000 fast patrol boat.
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[edit] Units and Ships
The units and their ships are
- Aberdeen, HMS Archer (P264)
- Birmingham, HMS Exploit (P167)
- Bristol, HMS Trumpeter (P294)
- Cambridge, HMS Raider (P275)
- Glasgow, HMS Smiter (P272)
- Liverpool, HMS Charger (P292)
- Wales, HMS Express (P163)
- Oxford, HMS Tracker (P274)
- London, HMS Puncher (P291)
- Manchester, HMS Biter (P270)
- Northumbrian, HMS Example (P165)
- Sussex, HMS Ranger (P293)
- Southampton, HMS Blazer (P279)
- Yorkshire, HMS Explorer (P164)
URNU ships are part of the 1st Patrol Boat Squadron, 1PBS. 1PBS is commanded by Commander 1PBS, who is also Commander URNU. The mission statement of the 1PBS is to "provide support to allow the conduct of safe and effective P2000 operations in support of the URNU sea-training syllabus".
[edit] Aim
"The aim of the URNU organisation is to educate a wide spectrum of high calibre undergraduates who show potential as society's future leaders and opinion formers in the role and need for the Royal Navy."
The aim of an URNU is to provide an insight into naval life for "high calibre" undergraduates - however, there is no commitment for the students to join the Royal Navy or Royal Marines after graduation (although a significant proportion of the Royal Navy's new officer intake each year comes from the URNUs). It is hoped that if the students do not choose to join the Navy afterwards, they will take away a positive image and greater understanding of modern naval forces with them into civilian life.
[edit] Membership
While the URNUs as a whole are commanded by Commander URNU (also Commander 1PBS) they fall under the overall jurisdiction of Commodore BRNC (the officer-in-charge of the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. Each URNU is commanded by a RN Lieutenant (OiC) who also takes command (CO) of the unit's P2000. Each URNU comprises 51 undergraduates who join for up to three years of their study period.
Undergraduates join for three years, or in some cases the duration of their course. In their first year, members have the rank of Officer Cadet, and are promoted to Honorary Midshipman in their second year.
[edit] Training
Training focuses on navigation and seamanship, and this is put into practice during Sea Weekends, and longer deployments during the summer and Easter vacations.
There is also a social element to URNU life with formal Mess Dinners, and less formal socialising.
There are many Sporting activities held within the URNU units, informal contests between the units and a formal Sports Weekend. Wales URNU are the current champions of Sports Weekend.
