During the second week of February, the 47 Midshipmen in Commission (GUCOM) who are part of the CLV promotion of the Naval Military Academy (ESNM) arrived at the Puerto Belgrano Naval Base. The objective is to carry out the training prior to embarking on the frigate ARA “Libertad” (FRLI) within the framework of the 54th Instruction Trip.
The activities began on February 9 and will end on Friday, March 13. Unlike other years, this time the development of the courses on abandonment and survival, firefighting and breakdown control was not contemplated, since they were taken by future officers prior to navigation in the Instruction Speedboats (LICA) during 2025.
The Naval Cadets have concentrated their activities in the Instruction and Training Department of the Sea Fleet Command (DPIA) where they began by taking basic operations courses; and then train in communications in both English and Spanish.
As for the GUCOMs of the Naval Quartermaster rank, they carry out various internships on land in destinations such as the Navy Arsenals Directorate, Barracks Services Group, the Puerto Belgrano Naval Quartermaster, the Puerto Belgrano Naval Hospital and the BNPB.
Those belonging to the Marine Corps rank completed the course “Advance Artillery Observer 2026”, developed by the Field Artillery Battalion No. 1. The activity took place between the 16th and 20th of this month, and the academic development included a theoretical phase, taught in the unit’s classroom, and a final practical instance in the Advance Observer Simulator (SIMOA III ARA).
During this next week they will take the advanced air traffic controller training at the Comandante Espora Naval Air Base and then they will conclude with a final and integrating exercise at the Batteries Marine Infantry Base.
The group of young soldiers oversees the 5th year Chief of the ESNM, Lieutenant Juan Pablo Coré, who described them as a motivated and professionally trained group to face the new challenges that will be presented to them on the Instruction Trip. “They already embark on the FRLI knowing what it is like to have control of a ship, because they were part of the LICA crews throughout the year and sailed a lot. These vessels allow you to quickly move from theory to practice and in turn this is complemented by simulators,” he explained.
He also described that this year the Instruction Trip has as a particularity the participation of the training ship in the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States and in the meeting of Tall Ships. In this regard, Lieutenant Coré explained that it will be a great experience for the GUCOMs, since they will not only continue to be trained in specific subjects of each echelon, Maritime Law and Fundamentals of the State Administration, but they will also acquire a differential cultural background through participation in protocol and diplomatic events.