Media release
17 April 2014
Swept Away by the Sea
Blair Milligan, 18, is one of the newest graduates from the Royal New Zealand Navy, celebrating the completion of the
naval Basic Common Training Course (BCT) today in front of his proud family.
The Waihi College old boy is one of seventy-seven sailors who graduated from the thirteen-week naval training course
which introduces participants to the Navy.
Milligan had a unique nautical link before he started his naval career. In 2011 he sent a message in a bottle to sea
which later turned up in Australia.
Ordinary Marine Technician (OMT) Milligan is now focused on his maritime career and will shortly begin his trade
training as a marine technician where he wants to specialise in propulsions systems.
OMT Milligan’s commitment and hard work during the BCT course paid off, and he was awarded two prizes –the Mariner
Skills excellence award for demonstrating the highest level of skill during mariner training. He also received the CPO
Gunnery Instructor Jack Donnelly, BEM Cup, aka the “Top Gun” trophy, for shooting a perfect score during firearms
training.
OMT Milligan joined the Navy to serve and protect New Zealand and to train and become qualified in a trade.
“Not only have I gained lifelong friends on this course, I have also seen what hard work and determination can do. The
training has been very challenging but also rewarding, after joining with little idea of what was going on, we will
graduate as self-reliant sailors,” said Milligan.
ENDS