A reported shortage of trained senior NCOs may explain rumours that Type 23 frigates could leave service. The first proposal would let fit senior petty officers and warrant officers remain beyond the usual retirement point, potentially to 60 or longer. Their value lies in judgment, leadership, and fault-finding rather than physical labour alone. The second proposal would restore warrant officer second class as a rank to which exceptional junior NCOs could be accelerated. Moving the best junior leaders upward would remove some of the strongest people from junior ranks, so this is a partial measure rather than a complete answer. Together, the proposals would retain proven expertise and give unusually capable sailors a faster route into senior responsibility.
Notable Point · 27:27-31:48
Retaining experience and accelerating promising naval NCOs
Two proposals would let fit senior NCOs serve longer and restore warrant officer second class as an accelerated route for exceptional junior leaders.