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I joined C Section in 1971
Although today the Ferranti 1600B is a museum peace then it was cutting edge. There I began to work with a team on writing a manual for operating the new CAAIS, small ships Action Information System. Part of the time, I worked on trials of the new system, which would be eventually fitted to Type 21, 22, and the 23 frigates. It was also in this time frame their Lordships decided to let non-commissioned officers become helicopter controllers. My boss decided that I should take one of the first HCO courses, so I would be able to work with the CAAIS team at the Admiralty Surface Weapons establishment, (Pictured on the left on Computer and tablet on top in a phone) To look at helicopter integration in the system. It was very exciting work, and I really thought I could contribute to the advancement of the new computer system
Helicopter Controlling Officer (HCO)
I was one of the first NCOs to do the course at Portland in the middle of winter. It was quite a change from the warm air condition C Section back at HMS Dryad which never moved. First there was the Accommodation in Weymouth, and our landlady who was always looking for her pussies. Then the ship bounced, which was a little uncomfortable for a sailor who had spent two years on a 50,000 ton aircraft carrier and a 2 years on a Stone Frigate. It was after my course that I was called to the boss of C section and told they wanted to start my CW papers for officer.
So there I was after two years fully trained up on the new Action Information Systems, one of only five at the time. Studying in my own time and with my own money, FORTRAN programming. (Officer had the RN pay for it.) Then along comes the bashes of square pegs into round holes' brigade known as the Draft Section and I suddenly found myself off to the reserve Navy in Plymouth.
You simply could not make it up.
I think at this point my attitude to the Royal Navy suddenly changed, taking a joke can be acceptable only when it is a joke. This required something else, and with my wife pregnant with our first child. I played ball only to the point of my pay grade.
My motto now being.
'Illegitimi non carborundum.'
Don't let the bastards grind you down.
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