CO HMS St Albans hosts schoolgirl visit
Twelve schoolgirls got a taste of Navy life when they stepped on board HMS St Albans in Portsmouth to mark International Women’s Day.
The pupils fromPortsmouthGrammar Schoolwere given an insight into the role and capabilities of the Type 23 frigate - one of two major RN warships commanded by a woman - and the careers available in the wider Royal Navy.
During a tour of the ship the students met Commanding Officer, Commander Catherine Jordan, and personnel from all branches, with some showing an interest in joining up.
Commander Jordan told the pupils: “Girls make up about 20 per cent of the ship’s company and serve in all roles. Today is about celebrating the success of women in social, political and economic roles within society but frankly the Royal Navy embraced this long ago.”
She added: “Having flown Lynx helicopters the front line and now commanding my third warship there are no longer any employment restrictions and provided you meet the right standard through training and on operations you can achieve your goals.”
Weapon engineer officer Lieutenant Alice Bindley, 23, said: “The opportunities in engineering are really exciting. I really enjoyed science at school and was sponsored by the navy at sixth form and at university. The training in the navy is really good and it gives you a lot of responsibility at an early age.”
Lana Watt, 15, from Portsmouth– who belongs to the school’s Combined Cadet Force - said: “I really enjoyed the visit, in particular the engineering department. I like the idea of flying helicopters so getting the chance to talk to the captain was great.”
Fellow CCF member Imogen Sheel, also 15, said: “I like science and technology at school so the visit was really interesting for me. I would not like an office job. I like the idea of an active lifestyle.”
HMS St Albans is currently in refit in Portsmouth and will return to sea in the summer as one of the most advanced frigates in the Royal Navy.
Catherine Jordan joined the Royal Navy in 1993 as a University Cadet Aviator, and after passing out from Britannia Royal Naval College, she read Law at Manchester University and graduated in 1997. Specialising as an Observer, she qualified on both the Lynx Mk 3 and Mk 8, before becoming the first Flight Commander of the then newly commissioned HMS ST Albans. During the build up to the Iraq War in 2003, she regenerated and commanded “Gibraltar Flight” for 3 months before returning to the Ship and completing an Operation Calash deployment in the Middle East.
She then undertook Principal Warfare Officer training, graduating as top student for the year in 2005. There then followed 3 short tours as an Operations Officer: firstly in HMS Iron Duke, whilst also the Gunnery Officer, then with the Combined Task Force 158 in Iraq and latterly in HMS Albion.
She then undertook Principal Warfare Officer training, graduating as top student for the year in 2005. There then followed 3 short tours as an Operations Officer: firstly in HMS Iron Duke, whilst also the Gunnery Officer, then with the Combined Task Force 158 in Iraq and latterly in HMS Albion.
Subsequently selected for Sea Command, she commanded HMS SEVERN from February 2010 to July 2011, during which time the Ship was awarded the Fleet Offshore Patrol Vessel Efficiency Trophy. She then took command of HMS Clyde in the Falkland Islands for 6 months, a period which included deploying to South Africa for a successful docking period.
Returning to her aviation roots in 2012, she formed part of the implementation team for the Fleet Air Arm Manpower Sustainability Project before being selected for both promotion to Commander and further sea command. Then, capping a truly outstanding year, her daughter arrived on Christmas Day 2012.
Commander Jordan is married and lives in Hampshire. She assumed command of HMS ST Albans on 10 December 2013.