SWOA Membership
If you are eligible for membership (see details below), please download the PDF Membership Form and then either print it out, fill it in and send it to us at the address shown at the bottom or fill it in online, save it and email it to us at: membership@rnswoa.org.uk.
Can I become a member?
Subject to the payment of a membership fee, except where explained below, membership of the Association shall be available to:
Full Members:
a. All officers of the Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Commonwealth and Overseas Navies and their Reserves who have successfully completed the Principal Warfare Officer’s (PWO) course at the School of Maritime Operations (SMOPS) HMS DRYAD or the Maritime Warfare School (MWS) HMS COLLINGWOOD.
b. All officers of the Royal Navy, Commonwealth and Overseas Navies and their Reserves who have successfully completed a Long Gunnery (‘G’) or Ordnance Engineer Officers (‘OE’) course at HMS EXCELLENT or a Long Torpedo Anti Submarine (‘TAS’) or Torpedo (‘T’) course at HMS VERNON, a Long Navigation (‘N’), or Long Direction (‘D’) course at HMS DRYAD, a Long Communications (‘C’) course at HMS MERCURY, a Long Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving (‘MCD’) course at HMS VERNON or a Long Hydrography and Meteorology (‘HM’) course.
c. Members of the St Barbara, Portobello and Communications and Signal Officers’ Associations will be eligible to become full members of the Association and are not required to pay the membership fee.
Junior Members:
a. All officers of the Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Commonwealth and Overseas Navies and their Reserves who have passed their Initial Warfare Officer (IWO) Course but have yet to pass the PWO Course or equivalent Long Course.
b. Junior membership does not entitle the holder to any voting rights. Junior members may only attend functions provided there is sufficient space for them to do so behind full members.
Associate Members:
a. All officers of Commonwealth and Overseas Navies and their Reserves, who are not eligible for full membership but are members of a reciprocal Warfare Association are granted Associate membership. They are not required to pay the membership fee.
b. The Commodore MWS and personnel serving in PWO Staff Officer posts within the MWS, are granted Associate membership for the duration of their appointment. They are not required to pay the membership fee.
c. Officers of the Royal Artillery serving in the Fleet (which includes 3 Cdo Bde RM) are granted Associate membership for the duration of their appointment. They are not required to pay the membership fee.
d. Associate membership entitles the bearer to participate in all activities and general assemblies of the Association, but excludes voting rights.
Honorary Members:
In special circumstances, any officer not entitled to apply for membership, who shall be deemed by the Committee to have rendered outstanding service to Warfare may be invited to become an Honorary Member for life or any lesser period. Honorary Members are not required to pay the membership fee. Honorary membership entitles the bearer to participate in all activities and general assemblies of the Association, but excludes voting rights.
Post your completed Membership Form to:
The Secretary
Surface Warfare Officers’ Association
c/o The Wardroom
HMS COLLINGWOOD
Newgate Lane
Fareham
Hampshire
PO14 1AS