Completion of basic training at HMS Raleigh always ends with a passing out parade. All the intake's classes get to march past the Captain and his guests and it's the recruits first big ceremonial occasion. Pride of place goes to the class who've performed most consistently during their stay at Raleigh; they're honoured by being named Captain's Guard for the occasion, a role that is very high profile and much sought after.

Winning the Captain's Guard competition is a big deal and all stops are pulled out to try and make the grade. The points achieved by every individual and their respective classes are tallied and in the event of the result being close, a penalty shoot-out takes place during the last few days of the final week. The prestige that falls on the winning class also reflects on their class tutor.

We knew our class would be close because we'd performed well, but having achieved a few black marks during our stay we didn't really expect to end up in the play-offs. When PO Hollings told us we were expected on the parade ground dressed in our No 1 uniforms and wearing webbing and gaiters, we knew we'd made the cut and there were smiles all round.

Talk on the messdeck was of nothing except the coming Sunday's parade. We marched to the GI's block beside the parade ground, giving it plenty of swank and with heads held high. Pride was very much at the forefront of all our minds.

We were in competition with two other classes, there being nothing between us points wise. The final decision would be made depending upon our performances on the parade ground and the assault course.

We performed foot drill, rifle drill and continuity drill. We sparkled, but then so did 35M, one of our competitors.

The following day at the end of our normal routine we shoved off to the assault course. It was just to be us, 35X, and our main rivals, 35M. The third class had already been pulled on the previous day's drill performance.

The GI's ran through this part of the competition with us. The whole class would go together as a single unit. This meant the wall would need to be rethought slightly. No mistakes, was the order of the day. Certainly no repetition of my previous stupidity on the assault course.

A coin was tossed and the running order decided. We would be first up, so would set the guide time and be the team to beat.

We went on the whistle and performed as best we could. No mistakes, no tardiness; a good solid performance, but not one that would set the world alight. Nothing for it now, but to watch 35M and, cross our fingers and hope.

They looked very quick over the first part of the course and looking over at PO Hollings' face I knew he thought we were in second place. Of course, we didn't know which of us had been marked highest the day before so there was still some hope.

As 35M progressed to the wall I turned away, not wanting to see them complete ahead of us. I was remembering the night we'd dragged Sandy back to base pissed out of his brain and been awarded demerits. Shit!

A shout. Another. I swung round and there on the deck beside the wall was one of 35M. He'd made the same mistake I had and tried to leap and run. Foolish boy. What a break for us though. His fall meant they'd lose points and time too. We'd won!

PO Hollings was as chuffed as we were; his class were tops. We were his first charges, although we didn't know it then. That little gem came out after a few beers when it was all over. He'd done a good job with us, but I like to think we'd been pretty good to work with.

Tradition had it that classes took their tutors out on the RAS at the end of basic and we arranged to meet Mike (first names ashore) on the Saturday evening. We'd spent pretty much all of the day preparing for Sunday's parade. Cleaning, pressing, polishing, just making everything perfect. Now it was all done and we were free. Off we went into Plymouth to strut our stuff and get smashed. A hugely enjoyable evening.

Sunday dawned and we nursed our hangovers through breakfast, then started the cleaning routine all over again. Boots were freshly polished, uniforms were freshly pressed, brasses and webbing given the treatment. Church parade was at 10:30 and our passing out parade would follow. We'd done everything we could and looked superb, even if I say so myself.

Church over we mustered and collected our weapons for the guard. Standard issue SLRs but with chromed bayonets and white webbing straps.

Divisions were called and the various classes marched on to the parade ground. The Royal Marine band was doing its stuff and those people who'd come to witness their sons, brothers, etc. pass out were seated enjoying the occasion. The band broke into Hearts Of Oak and off we went, all polish and swank. We marched around the perimeter and eventually paraded in front of the dais, where the Captain and his honoured guests would be.

The dignitaries arrived, inspections were performed and eventually the various honours bestowed. As Captain's Guard, we were last to get our mention. A proud moment for us, our families and of course for Petty Officer Mike Hollings.

The band played, the big march past went without a hitch, the guard escorted the Captain from the parade ground and it was all over. Our time at HMS Raleigh was at an end. We would disperse that afternoon to our various destinations for a short leave before being drafted to our respective training establishments for specialist training. We were members of Her Majesty's Royal Navy and ready to progress.