It's not every day a naval warfare officer can complete the Naval Officer Professional Qualification (NOPQ) while at sea.
In fact, in the Royal Canadian Navy's West Coast fleet it's quite rare, and that's why it was a big deal for Sub-Lieutenant (SLt) Jason Wychopen.
The NOPQ board is an exam where a naval warfare officer sits before several senior naval officers who specialize in all aspects of operating a warship at sea. The officer becomes eligible to challenge the board after completing an NOPQ package that contains hundreds of prerequisite signatures, which ensures he or she understands all the inner workings of a warship. This process typically takes two years.
Once the officer has completed the package and is nominated by his or her captain, the officer is given notice that he or she will sit the board. Preparation is usually a few weeks of studying material to prepare for this extensive test.
SLt Wychopen, however, was given one hour's notice while sailing in Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Calgary.
Calgary is currently carrying out its Directed Sea Readiness Training program while participating in a task group exercise with HMC Ships Regina, Brandon, Whitehorse, Nanaimo and two Orca-Class Patrol Craft Training (PCT) vessels, Cougar and Wolf, off the coast of Vancouver Island.
“As result of having Sea Training (Pacific) and the Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific and his staff on board Calgary, there was the correct number of assessment personnel…
Continue Reading This Article At The Canadian Armed Forces Website
