Naval Training Camp Hilversum (2)

From February to September 1963 posted to the Naval Training Camp Hilversum for training to become a corporal and to follow the cadre (NBCD) school.

The training to become a corporal included learning two forms of stock management, namely the old system called "Detail Management", which was conducted per service sector and was still used in most units (especially on board ships) of the Navy and the new form called Central Management. This new management only occurred on board of large units (such as Naval Barracks, cruisers and aircraft carriers). This form of management meant that all goods on board a unit were centrally managed by the supply office with the warehouse managers posted there.

The training program was split in two. A theoretical and a practical part. The practical part meant that you were assigned as a "vice baksmeester" to a "baksmeester" for a number of weeks. All this time you wore a band around your left arm on which the letters DDK (acting Corporaal) were printed.

During the practical period I was added to a "bak" of sea militiamen (conscripts). My "baksmeester" was, if I still can remember, quartermaster Bouman. A man I learned a lot from. For the most part, the guys in that "bak" were older than me because they were militiamen. So I was a bit hesitant at first. But in the end we got along well and I was listened to carefully. If only for the fact that I just interacted with them normally and didn't play the military. I had a very educational time there.

During this period I also had the cadre-NBCD training (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical, Damage control) as part of the entire training in Den Helder at the "Erfprins" Naval Barracks.

Images and additional information

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Just a brief explanation regarding the organizational structure of the Royal Netherlands Navy on board a ship or barracks.

In addition to guard divisions, personnel are divided into divisions for personnel care. This division into "personnel" division is usually separate from the division into "guard divisions". At the head of a "personnel" division is a division chief, to whom the division's personnel can turn to promote their interests. The head of the branch of service, to whom the staff for his work is assigned, acts as divisional manager. A division chief also handles the reports of the personnel belonging to his division to the commander. The major divisions may be divided into groups headed by a group chief. However, a group leader does not fulfill an independent task. The first officer (placed directly under the commander of the unit) divides the corporals and men into a number of "bakken" of no more than 25 men/women each if possible. Each "bak" is composed as much as possible of personnel whose combat guard posts are located in close proximity to each other. At the head of each "bak" is a "baksmeester" (a corporal or quartermaster, the lowest non-commissioned officer), to whom is attached a deputy "baksmeester". The "baksmeester" has an educational task with regard to the men/women of his "bak". As such, he supervises cleanliness, both in terms of appearance and clothing (your duffel equipment).

The typical Dutch Navy words "bak" and "baksmeester" are historical expressions and date from the time of Admiral Michiel de Ruyter and are still used within the organization of the Royal Dutch Navy.

NBCD means:

All measures, and the organization, necessary for combating calamities in the NBCD field. Formerly also known as ABCD (Atomic instead of Nuclear). NBC requires specific resources and is really only relevant in times of war, the D (Damage control) is of course possible at any time if people are not paying attention on the bridge.