Commodore Yeovilton's Award for Excellence
A young Leading Aircraft Engineer Technician (LAET) has been recognised by his Commodore for an excellent contribution to the implementation of change.
LAET Colin Drysdale (24) from Alloa in Scotland has been awarded the Commodores Award For Excellence (CAFÉ) following his secondment to the RNAS Yeovilton Change Management team in October 2013 to assist with the day to day practical implementation of various changes across Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton.
Throughout an extremely busy and challenging period of enduring change he quickly adjusted to working on the Command floor plate; an environment where he was by far the most junior and where his dependability and the quality of work has been witnessed and recognised by the Station’s senior managers.
LAET Drysdale said “I feel I have gained incredibly valuable life experience in a relatively short space of time – difficult to emulate elsewhere. Receiving this award has been a poignant way to round off my short career with the Royal Navy and I’m very pleased with what I have achieved overall”.
LAET Drysdale has had to liaise across the Air Station with all levels of management, both military and civilian to achieve his tasks, and he has delivered every time. Nothing has been too much effort, showing considerable foresight and maturity to de-escalate potentially difficult situations, particular when encountering resistance to change.
LAET Drysdale has time and time again proved his worth providing huge support to both the Station Change Warrant Officer (WO) Stewart Bryant and Plans Officer Lieutenant Commander (Lt Cdr) Andy Morse.
LAET Drysdale said “I am extremely proud to have been commended for my efforts whilst working on the Change Management team. It has been a steep learning curve, compared to my background and comfort in engineering but I have persevered to understand the job and carry it out effectively”.
Lt Cdr Andy Morse said of LAET Drysdale; “ has been a huge pleasure to have as a member of the Station Command team, at a time of major change there are many difficult aspects to manage and LAET Drysdale has stepped up to the plate delivering above and beyond every time”
WO Stewart Bryant said “He has proved to be an extremely reliable, conscientious and capable Junior Rating with an unwavering ability to ‘get things done’. He thoroughly deserves recognition for his efforts.
LAET Colin Drysdale is in the final phase of his short career in the Royal Navy. Nominated for the CAFÉ for his outstanding contribution over the past 5 months as part of the Change Management Team demonstrates his tremendous ability as he has also had to combine the organisation of his own resettlement into civilian life.
LAET Drysdale added “After a very fast 6 years in the RN, including intense technical training, communication, and teamwork and leadership development. Consolidation and preparation at RNAS Yeovilton, a deployment to the Arabian Gulf and a promotion to Leading Aircraft Engineering Technician have prepared me well for life outside of the Royal Navy”.
Lt Cdr Andy Morse added “he has tremendous potential and we wish him every success in his future career, he most definitely deserves it”