Royal Navy overhauled and refitted. Only four are operating today; at Devonport, Faslane, Rosyth and at Portsmouth. A Naval Base Review was undertaken in 2006 and early 2007, the outcome being announced by Secretary of State for Defence, Des Browne, confirming that all would remain however some reductions in manpower were anticipated. The academy where initial training for future Royal Navy officers takes place is Britannia Royal Naval College, located on a hill overlooking Dartmouth, Devon. Basic training for future ratings takes place at at Torpoint, Cornwall, close to HMNB Devonport. Significant numbers of naval personnel are employed within the Ministry of
Simon Williams (Royal Navy officer) Simon Williams (Royal Navy officer) Rear Admiral Simon Paul Williams, is a senior Royal Navy officer who served as Naval Secretary, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Personnel) and Flag Officer (Maritime Reserves) from March 2015 to June 2018. Educated at Kingsbridge School, the City University London and the Britannia Royal Naval College, Williams joined the Royal Navy in 1978. After taking charge of the minesweeper , he became Commanding Officer of the frigate in 2001 and of the frigate in 2005. He became Director of Naval Personnel Strategy at the Ministry of Defence in 2008, Commodore of the Britannia Royal