HMCS/M

THE TOP STUDENT AWARD

Basic submarine qualification course

In 2001, the Basic Submarine Qualification Course content as provided by the Canadian Forces Submarine Training Center, CFNOS (Halifax) was revised to include training appropriate to Victoria Class submarines. By 2003, as a show of SAOC support to the serving submarine community, the “Top Student Award” came into being in recognition of the student achieving the highest marks on the Basic Submarine Qualification Course.
Since inception and retroactive to 2001, the Award has been presented to the Top Students from all ranks and trades while increasing as time unfolds. In the presence of the School Commander and staff and attendance of the CFNOS Commandant on graduation day, the Award is seen as befitting and regarded as a choice means of recognition among both staff instructors and students alike.
In volunteering his time and effort, the Award was crafted by The Late Fred Glover, a member of SAOC (Central) in Ottawa and former submarine underwater weaponsman. It was then transported to Halifax when some modifications were undertaken by a member of SAOC (East) which included the addition of his ‘personally owned’ set of Dolphins. It was the presented and mounted in the Submarine School.
On each and every Graduation Day, at least 2 SAOC members are invited to attend to offer a few words to the Course graduates, culminating with the presentation of the Award to the Top Student.
As of 20 April 2010, the following is a record of the 21 recipients: