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1.
Introduction.
INS Chilka is a premier basic training establishment for
sailor of the Indian Navy and serves to impart ab-initio
training to recruits by a demanding and comprehensive training
regimen as can be expected in a Boot camp. The duration of the
course run at INS Chilka is nine weeks for Artificer
Apprentices/ DEDH, fifteen weeks for NMERs(MR- Matric
Recruits/NMR – Non Matric Recruits) and twenty four weeks
for SSR (SSR- Senior Secondary Recruits Entry) and the
frequency of the course is twice a year. On an average, 3000
raw recruits are transformed into ‘Sea Warriors’ each
year.
2.
Present Day
Requirements. The Indian Navy is making rapid headways
in the international arena. The recent trend of navies of
standing in the world seeking opportunities for multilateral
exercises with the Indian Navy is an accolade of its inclusion
of state of art technology and improve the quality of the men
that man our growth and the ever increasing threat of
asymmetric warfare calls for a naval sailor to become
transformed into a tough and capable Sea Warrior.
3.
Sea Warrior.
The term ‘Sea Warrior’ has been coined at INS
Chilka to impart a martial connotation in defining the men who
will serve onboard ships of the Indian Navy. Accordingly,
besides naval orientation and physical training, mental
condition is also inviolable part of the training package.
This approach of training mind, body and spirit is
quintessential to yield sailors who are professionally
competent, physically fit, rodust and rugged in temperament
and have the drive and aggressiveness to tackle challenges
posed in a military life.
Chilka’s
Role
4.
Mission
Statement. The mission statement of the establishment
is “Naval orientation and training of recruits to enable
accomplishment of their immediate task with self-assurance”.
5.
Training
Objective. The training objectives for this
establishment were laid down by HQENC the goals that have been
derived from the objectives are:-
(a)
Acquaint with the basic
orientation so as to break the trainees into the Naval way of
life.
(b)
Prioritised training to
template the ‘Minds & Hearts’ of the raw recruits to
Good Order and Naval Discipline, and to live by the Navy’s
Core Valves. Inculcate habits of the Honesty, Integrity,
Sincerity and Commitment.
(c)
Develop a trainee into a
sailor with excellent military bearing. Transform the trainees
to become true naval ambassadors by their exemplary conduct.
(d)
Particular emphasis to
English language proficiency and swimming qualification.
(e)
Instill a sense of
spirit-de-corps, camaraderie and team spirit by participation
in troop games and to have confidence in themselves.
6.
Service
Subjects. In a short period of nine to twenty four
weeks, a AA/ DEDH/ SSR/ MR/ NMR) is exposed to the
following service subjects:-
(a)
Naval
Orientation.
As the name suggests, the subject covers importance and
Role of the Navy, Basic Command structure of the Navy,
Organisation of a ship/base, Naval Code of Conduct and
Discipline, Naval Divisional system, Rank structures of
officers and sailors, Pay and allowances of sailors, Branches
of the Navy, Types and Class of ships, Wearing of Uniforms,
and commonly used naval terms just to list a few. There are
135 periods allocated towards this subject.
(b)
Seamanship.The
subject covers in 81 periods, Anchors and Cables, Anchor work,
Types of ropes and usage, Maintenance of ropes, fenders and
usage, Bends and hitches, Boat work, introduction to special
evolutions such as UNREP, Towing and Jackstay.
(c)
Gunnery.
The training in this filed covers Parade training which
includes basic drill and rifle drill, introduction to weapon
training in 5.56 INSAS, LMG, 9mm carbine, 2”Mortar, .22
rifle and HE 36 Hand Grenade. Land Fighting, sensitization to
Asymmetric Warfare and LIMO are some newly introduced
packages.
(d)
NBCD.A
trainee undergo 22 sessions of fire fighting and damage
control equipment with six sessions of practical training on a
NBCD Hard and Damage Control Simulator in order to assist the
trainee to acquire requisite skills in the subjects.
(e)
Ships
Husbandry. The importance of hull
maintence, introduction to ships husbandry, basic methods of
hull preservation and maintenation are some of the topic
covered in this package of 23 sessions.
(f)
Security. Importance of Security in the
present scenario, Principles of security and basic remedial
measure, Custody of identity card and punishments for its loss
and Basic knowledge of Roving and Static sentries.
(g)
Naval Value
System.
Naval Valve System, Customs and Traditions of the Navy,
Ceremonials at Sea, Honour Code, social etiquettes, dress and
personal appearance, interpersonal relation are some of the
topics covered herein. Lectures by Senior Officer, Informal
interactions are also resorted to in order to equip a trainee
with the moral values and social skills befitting a man in
uniform.
(j)
Other capsules conducted include Lookout duties,
Survival at Sea, First Aid and Safety.
7.
Academics.
The syllabus of a trainee at INS Chilka covers all
basic skills that a trainee would require during his tenure at
sea. On the academic front, the trainee is imparted
instructions in English, Physics, Maths, General Science in
the case of SSRs and English, Hindi, Maths and general
Knowledge in the case of MR/ NMRs. The endeavour is to bring all
trainees coming from diverse educational backgrounds onto the
same plane prior undergoing professional training at various
schools and establishments. Artificer Apprentices and DEDH are
not imparted academic instructions due to the short duration
of their course.
8.
Outdoor
Training. The
outdoor training schedule is demanding and multifarious. It is
intended to develop physical fitness, mental toughness, team
work and resilience and a spirit of adventure. The various
outdoor activities that trainees participate in are as
following:-
(a)
Swimming.
Being a Key Result Area the importance of learning
swimming in the Navy cannot be over-emphasised since naval
personnel undergo swimming test as part of PET and as a
mandatory requirement for promotions. Every effort is made to
ensure that all trainees pass out from this establishment, as
a qualified swimmer. An Olympic sized swimming pool is
available for this purpose. On an average only five to six
percent of the recruits are swimmers during the time of their
induction. The trainee are put through a well planned swimming
coaching resulting in more than 98 percent of trainees
qualifying swimming before passing out from this unit. To
consolidate proficiency in swimming, continuation swimming is
also provided to all qualified swimmers.
(b)
Parade
and Drill.
Parade training is a major focus area of the training
curriculum at Chilka. To introduce and train the recruits in
parade training in such a short time needs a concentrated
effort. The trainee is thought basic drill and rifle drill as
part of the parade training.
(c)
Physical
Training.
A training programme “GRAPES” (Graduated
Advancement of Physical Efficiency Standard) has been
implemented to enable the trainee to reach stipulated physical
efficiency standard in a graduated manner over of 20-24 weeks.
The physical fitness test of trainees has been upgraded to
match the naval PET.
(d)
Small
Arms Firing.
Firing of .22 and 5.56 INSAS are part of weapon
training. The trinees are also introduced to LMG, 9mm carbine,
2” Mortar, .22 rifle and HE 36 hand grenade. All trainees
are trainees to strip and assemble 5.56 INSAS. A inter
divisional musketry is also conducted every term.
(e)
Games and
Sports.
In order to inculcate the right sportsman and
competitive spirit, the trainees are introduced to troup
games. The various championships conducted every batch are
hockey, basket ball, handball and football. Two teams are
fielded by all divisions and every recruit is given an
opportunity to represent his respective division in the above
mentioned championship.
(f)
Cross
Country.
Three
cross countries are held during the team. The distance run is
gradually increased from 4.5 to 7 km over the cross country
runs.
(g)
Sailing
And Boat Pulling
As part of adventure activity, a whaler sailing
expedition from INS Chilka to the Chilka lake mouth and back
covering a distance of approximately 80 kms is undertaken once
every team. Besides this every Saturday covering a distance of
40 kms. The
recruits are also encouraged to handle duties of helmsmen on
Whalers as well as on Enterprise Class boats. The recruits are
trained to handle a pulling whaler and a pulling regatta is
conducted towards the end of the team which is a keenly
contested event.
(h)
Lake
Swimming/Jaltarang
A Jaltarang
is held every batch wherein 75% strength of trainees
participates. Lake swimming from Kalijai Island to Boat pool
at INS Chilka covering a distance of 3 km is another swimming
event in which selected trainees participate.
(i)
Camps.
An outdoor camp ‘JAGRAT’ is organized for all
trainees at permanent campsite located outside the base. The
camp is held in phases, each phase being of two days with 160
trainees attending the camp in a single phase. The camp is
aimed at developing outdoor survival skills, esprit-de-corps,
stamina, endurance and to inculate qualities of leadership.
Emphasis is laid on security of personnel, information,
material and equipment. The recruits are trained in Field
craft, Land Fighting and Field organistion of platoon and
Section.
(j)
Obstacle
Course.
A challenging obstacles course with obstacles of a
nautical nature such as boat boom, gangway is used for
improving the agility and strength of a trainee.
(k)
Unarmed
Combat.
Unarmed combat serves to hone the martial spirit and
instill self defence. All trainees undergo training in unarmed
combat in order to learn self defence techniques.
(l)
Route
Marches.
A route march from INS Chilka to Narayani temple, a
prominent land mark in the area covering a distance of 16 kms,
is conducted every Sunday.
(m)
Educational
Visits.
As part of training curriculum, one educational visit
to Bhubaneswar is organized for all trainees in batches. The
Trainees visit a museum, a planetarium, and an historic
heritage site.
9.
Extra
Curricular Activates.
For development of a well rounded personality, a
trainee participates in the following:-
(a)
English/Hindi
Debate.
To improve the overall personality of the recruit’s
one English and Hindi debate is conducted. Current social
topics are debated. Apart from this snap talks are organized
and all trainees get a chance to put up their views.
(b)
Quiz.
Two quiz competition are conducted in each term.
(c)
Dramatics.
To bring out creative talent, an inter
division-dramatics completion is conducted every batch. In
addition trainees put forth an entertainment evening as part
of the passing out parade functions.
10.
Organisation.
The Trainees are organized into eight divisions for the
ease of administration and to bring out a competitive spirit
amongst them. Each Division comprises 150 trainees and is
headed by Divisional commander of the rank of Lt/Lt Cdr .One
MCPO and four to five CPO assist the Division Commander in
administering the functions of the division. The divisions are
named after the heroes from Indian Mythology and history.
Ninth division will be inducted in Dec 2006.
11.
Training
Instructions.
The establishment has a total area of 1546 acres of
land and has an outer perimeter of 11 kms. To support the
training activities, the
following infrastructure exists in the establishment:-
(a)
Accommodation.
Trainees are accommodated in five Blocks (Multistoreyed)
with a capacity of 300 each. Three blocks are shared by two
divisions each and the balance blocks house one division each.
A sixth block with a capacity of 200 men is under construction
and is expected to be available for occupation by Dec 2006.
(b)
Dining
Halls.
The establishment has three dining hall with a capacity
of 1200 for the trainees. A 53” Philips TV is positioned at
each dining hall. A well equipped and modernized galley with
forced ventilation and exhaust system is attached to the
dining halls.
(c)
Class
Rooms.
43 classes are available for imparting class room
instruction. SSRs of each division are divided into 4 or 5
classes with an average of approximately 30 trainees per
class. Apart from these two language laboratories, two
computer literacy centers, NBCD model room, Seamanship model
room and a Physics & General Science laboratory are also
available. Seven class room and 3 science labs are under
construction, EDC Dec 2006.
(d)
Play
Fields. The
various championship conducted every batch are hockey, basket
ball, volleyball, handball and foot ball. To conduct these
events, INS Chilka is equipped with three foot ball ground,
eight volley ball grounds, seven basket ball courts and three
hockey grounds. A five year plan to convert the above
mentioned fields into synthetic surfaced play fields has been
approved and work is expected to commence shortly.
(e)
Waterman
ship Training Centre.
WTC, Chilka is equipped with 23 DK Whalers, 21
Enterprise class boats and 2 Kayaks. The recruits are
encouraged to learn functions of helmsmen in whaler and
enterprise class sailing. WTC Chilka conducts pulling regatta
and EP class sailing regatta every batch.
(f)
Gymnasium.
A modern indoor gymnasium along with weight training
equipment is available for use by trainees.
(g)
Computer
Literacy Centre.
Two computer literacy centres equipped with 40
computers serve to train the recruits in computers. The
establishment aims at computer literacy for all trainees
irrespective of their branch.
(h)
Library.
The ships library is equipped with 28,000 books for
easy reference by the Ships Company as well as trainees. Bar
coding of all the books was recently completed. The library is
open to all trainees and books are issued to individual
trainees.
(i)
Language
Lab.
There are two state of art language labs which are
extensively used to ensure basic English speaking and
comprehension skills among the trainees prior passing out.
(j)
Physics
& General Science Lab. A
well equipped physics laboratory serves to instruct trainees
by conduct of experiments structured towards understanding
certain ship borne equipment such as radar and sonar.
(k)
Seamanship
Practical Area.
This is used to give practical training in usage of
various seamanship fittings and seamanship evolutions on board
ships.
(l)
DC
and FF Hard.
The damage control and fire fighting hard consists of
two major fire pits, three minor pits, smoke chamber and
damage control simulator. The hard is used to give firsthand
experience on fire fighting and damage control.
(m)
An
indoor ,22 and outdoor Firing Range.
A well designed miniature .22 range and a 300 metres
classification range serve the purpose of providing live
firing practice to trainees.
(n)
DRONA
simulator.
An eight lane Small arms simulator is extensively used
to improve the marksmanship of trainees.
(o)
Olympic Size Swimming
Pool.
A 50 mtrs swimming pool with a diving end is available
to convert a trainee into a good swimmer.
(p)
Audio
Visual Room.
An audio visual room, Triveni, with a seating capacity
of 200 serves as a hall for screening motivation movies and
lectures.
(q)
Auditorium.
An aesthetically designed auditorium, Apsara, is the
venue for screening of movies and conduct of extracurricular
activities like quiz debates and dramatics.
(r)
A
Permanent Campsite.
A permanent campsite with hard standing for tent
pitching is located a few kilometers away from the base for
conduct of Camp Jagrat.
12.
Factsheet.
Some salient facts and figures that
would highlight establishment’s commitment to training raw
recruits are as follows:-
(a)
Swimming.
The establishment has a single swimming pool that is
easily the most used pool in the Navy. On a daily basis close
to 500 trainees are trained in swimming. At the time of
induction almost. The establishment has the proud achievement
of consistently attaining a 95 to 99 percent pass percentage
in swimming over the last few years.
(b)
English.
Only 30-35 percent of trainees who join Chilka have
undergone prior education fo some sort in English. Through
dedicated instructions and use of a state of the art English
language laboratory, the establishment ensures Basic English
speaking and comprehension skills prior to the trainees
passing out parade.
(c)
Out
Door Training.
All trainees at Chilka undergo rigorous physical
training in the form of physical fitness tests, cross country
, sports, camps, swimming, boat pulling, route-marches and
josh runs, much alike those that can be expected at any
‘Boot Camp’. The physical fitness levels are assessed
regularly and a programme for advancement of physical
efficiency has been instituted with the batch 02/2006. The
physical fitness tests have been upgraded to match the Naval
PET with the 02/2006 batch.
(d)
Computer
Literacy.
Despite computers not being a formal part of the
syllabus prescribed for trainees at INS Chilka, all 3000
trainees acquire basic computer skills through a capsule
course of 32 sessions.
(e)
Quality
Control.
In order to ensure that the overall quality of the
trainee is maintained at the levels required by the service,
almost 3-4% trainees are discharged as unsuitable for service.
An equal number also leave the service voluntarily due to
inability to cope with the training regimen.
Conclusion
13.
INS Chilka has the unique distinction of being the only
basic training establishment of its kind amongst the three
services. Unlike the Navy, the Indian Air force and Army do
not have a single common abinitio training establishment on
the lines of INS Chilka. The training at INS Chilka has been
evolved over the years as a legacy of the British Navy and has
been continuously restructured thereafter, to meet the
challenges of a technologically advanced modern navy. Towards
this, the concept of training mind, body and soul to obtain a
Sea Warrior with the right attitude has been adopted.
14.
Therefore INS Chilka makes a humble beginning in the
shaping of a Sea Warrior poised to undertake a long journey in
his service career. However, the young Sea Warrior needs to be
nurtured at every stage from basic training till completion of
professional training after which he is ready to undertake any
challenges posed to him. Whilst this establishment will
continue to review its training curriculum and methodology to
meet the needs of the Indian Navy, nurturing of the young Sea
Warrior by continual training by ships, professional training
establishments and schools will be the need of the day.
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