A Royal Navy Master-At-Arms (MAA) from Plymouth, who has helped induct over 10,000 recruits into the Service, is hanging up his uniform after a career spanning five decades.
MAA Ian Gritt has served at HMS Raleigh for the past six and a half years where he has been responsible for standards and discipline within the Initial Naval Training School.
This is his second stint at the training base in Torpoint. He also undertook the role between 2002 and 2004.
Originally from London MAA Gritt first joined the Royal Navy in 1979, arriving at the gates of the HMS Raleigh at the tender age of 16 for his own basic training.
MAA Gritt began his career as a junior seaman missileman. He served on three warships before transferring to the Royal Navy Police in 1991.
Since then he has served at sea on three further ships, include two stints on HMS Ocean, and abroad in Gibraltar and at the NATO Headquarters in Shape, Belgium.
The 54-year-old said: “To end my career where it all started is a major highlight, watching young civilians develop into sailors.
“I also feel a sense of pride serving with some of the training staff that I took through in my first role as the MAA here.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to have met the parents and families routinely on Fridays whilst conducting the passing out presentations on the recruits’ behalf.
“I can assure you that I would serve alongside any recruit that has passed out of HMS Raleigh.”
A keen footballer in his day, MAA Gritt is a previous captain of the Combined Services Gibraltar and the Plymouth Command Team.
He also successfully represented Devonport in 1985 at the Command Field Gun competition, held annually at Earl’s Court. While in Gibraltar, MAA Gritt was the chairman of the Combined Services water ski and wakeboard club.
He said: “I feel extremely proud to have served my country as a member of the Royal Navy for over 38 years, and it has also been a huge privilege to have spent the majority of my career in Plymouth, were the Services have always been made to feel so welcome.
“But it’s now my turn to sit on the Hoe and watch the next generation of sailors deploying, protecting the nations interest, but hopefully also having fun.”
