Interviews - Interviews with the Serving

Lieutenant Simon Scamp is 26 and joined the Royal Navy in 2009. He is currently serving on HMS Liverpool as a Trainee Officer of the Watch.

Why did you decide to join the Royal Navy?

I joined the Navy for so many reasons, but I think the news reports about Afghanistan were what made me finally apply. I was very aware of the freedoms that the UK afforded me as a gay man and that these freedoms were not widespread throughout the world. It didn’t sit well with me that I enjoyed these amazing freedoms but wasn’t directly working to protect them. It was something I had to do. I saw it as being a way of saying thank you to my country.

What training did you have to do for your job?

The basic Officer Training consists of 28 weeks of leadership training, an introduction to naval life, physical and mental trials, and relevant academic studies. My more specialist training involved 14 weeks of academic and basic navigational training at the Britannia Royal Naval College, followed by four weeks of further navigational training at HMS Collingwood. I’m currently undertaking nine months as a trainee Officer of the Watch in HMS Liverpool.

What does an Officer of the Watch do?

You’re required to have an awareness of the situation and the ability to prioritise activity both inside and outside the ship. Attention to detail and observance are key skills, as well as the ability to calmly and competently take control of the bridge team. I’ve yet to deploy on operations with the Navy but have recently taken part in Continuation Training in Liverpool. During training we simulate a wartime environment and the whole ship and its company are pushed to their limits to test just how capable the ship is and to prove that it can deal with all eventualities. This is an intense period of training for the ship and requires long days and hard work.

What has been the most surprising aspect of your job?

The variety of activity, probably. Since I’ve joined the Navy, I’ve spent time in lecture halls learning about military history, crawling around in the mud with a rifle, leading a group of recruits through their basic training, learning how to navigate by the stars, driving a 5,000 tonne warship while its helicopter landed on the back, and marching as Guard Officer at HMS Raleigh. I do something different every day and sometimes don’t know where I’ll be tomorrow. I find that amazing.

Have you ever encountered any anti-gay feeling in the Navy?

It just doesn’t seem to be an issue in the Navy. I’m treated just the same as my other colleagues, and that includes the banter and I’m so glad that it does. My friends will make jokes about me and some of those will be based around me being gay. Good, inclusive banter is such an essential part of being in the Navy and if my mates didn’t poke fun at me then I’d know I was being treated differently. It’s important to be able to tell the difference between inclusive banter and vindictive bullying and the Navy is really good at educating its people about that.

What’s been your proudest moment?

In terms of being gay and in the Navy, there is one moment that sticks in my mind. In my first year, I took part in the uniformed march of armed forces personnel in the annual Pride Parade in London. After marching for the majority of the parade, the armed forces peel off and march down Whitehall past the Cenotaph. It is really sacred in the eyes of the military and a march past is a very solemn and dignified act. When I realised that we, as gay members of the armed forces, were trusted to honour this most important ritual and that the highest levels of the armed forces trusted us to treat it with the proper respect and dignity, that’s when it hit home for me that being gay in the Royal Navy was completely accepted.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to join up?

Do it, and don’t look back. It is a career that requires hard work and dedication but has so many rewards. I can’t say that I have loved every single day but I wouldn’t change my career for any other. As far as I am concerned, I have a dream job.