Navy Divers Season Celebration Get Together

: Step back in time and find out how the Naval Diving Unit came into being. Meet the First Navy Divers, learn about their training regime and get to know all who were involved in the process.

: First Navy Divers 1972 return home to our alma mater after 48 years.

: Written by Naval Diver Cpt (Ret) Eddie Loo, PhD, The Ode uses a 10-syllable format to honor the first batch of 10 Naval Divers who graduated in 1972.

: Officers and Men of First Navy Divers 1972 assembled after 47 years. We celebrated our reunion on Friday 9th August 2019, Singapore's Bicentennial National Day.

: Generations of Navy Divers assembled on Friday 20th December 2019 for festive season celebrations with special guests of honour and foreign visitors.

: We remember and honour those who have gone before us, wishing them fair winds and following seas.

There is no such thing as an
ex-Navy Diver

Once a Diver always a Diver.

The only thing that may perhaps distinguish one Diver from another - if you wish to be pedantic about such things - is the year he graduated.

Look beyond that and you'll find the common factor linking ALL Divers together is a willingness to put themselves in harm's way time after time, to get the job done.

So at evening's end, we assembled to Pipe the Side and honor all the brave men, the world over, who answer the call to serve as Navy Divers.

Diver (1972) Rodney Hogan. Diver (1984) Steven Seah Poh Seng. Nursing Officer (1972) LT Bob Mong (RN). Diver (1985) Patrick Paulo. Diver (UDT 1 1988) Master Chief NDU, MWO Eddie Chua. Diver (1970) Training Officer (1972) LT Victor Rodrigues (MCDO). Diver (UDT 7 1993) Commander NDU, COL Foong Kok Pun. Diver (1984) Robin Lim. Diver (1978) Chew Chong Kwan. Diver (1979) Gerard Cheah. Diver (1977) Eric Ang. Diver (1973) Vincent Choo. Diver (1972) Bryan Klassen. Diver (1973) Tan Leng Teck. Diver (1996) David Ling. Diver (1973) Francis Low Teng Chye. Diver (1977) Arthur Quek.

We were proud and honored to welcome to our gathering, Commander Naval Diving Unit, COL Foong Kok Pun and Master Chief Naval Diving Unit, MWO Eddie Chua.

Diver (UDT 7 1993) Commander NDU, COL Foong Kok Pun. Diver (1972) Rodney Hogan. Diver (UDT 1 1988) Master Chief NDU, MWO Eddie Chua.

Joining our celebration was surprise guest, Diver, HMNZ Navy, SUB-LT Benjamin Robertson, who found his way over here at just the right moment.

Diver (1972) Bryan Klassen. Diver (1970) Training Officer (1972) LT Victor Rodrigues (MCDO). Diver (2019) HMNZ Navy, SUB-LT Benjamin Robertson. Nursing Officer (1972) LT Bob Mong (RN).

We welcome Benjamin and his family into our family of Naval Divers.

Jennifer Robertson (Benjamin's mother). Diver (1972) Rodney Hogan. Kimberly Robertson (Benjamin's sister). Diver (2019) HMNZ Navy, SUB-LT Benjamin Robertson. Diver (UDT 7 1993) Commander NDU, COL Foong Kok Pun.

In the Ode to the Naval Diver, Cpt Eddie Loo speaks of "warriors of the deep, band of brothers, the chosen few."

These words succinctly capture the spirit of what it means to be a Naval Diver.

Diver (1974) Arthur Wellesley. Diver (1978) Chew Chong Kwan. Diver (1975) Charles Madhavan. Diver (1976) Jolly Koh. Diver (UDT 7 1993) Commander NDU, COL Foong Kok Pun. Diver (1973) Vincent Choo. Diver (1972) Rodney Hogan. Diver (UDT 1 1988) Master Chief NDU, MWO Eddie Chua.

Which is why there is no such thing as an ex-Navy Diver.

Diver (1972) Ralston Fernando. Diver (1978) Chew Chong Kwan. Diver (1973) Vincent Choo. Diver (1985) Patrick Paulo. Diver (1977) Eric Ang. Diver (1996) David Ling. Diver (1973) Francis Low Teng Chye.

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