Navy commissions its lowest number of officers in three decades

Class Officer Damian Long (right) with the 2024 class of Naval cadets Brendan Morris (centre) and Cameron Clerkin (left) at the 62nd Naval Service Cadet Class Commissioning Ceremony in the Naval Base at Haulbowline, Cork on Friday. Picture: Chani Anderson

Just two new officers were commissioned into the navy at the latest graduation ceremony on Friday — the lowest number since the early 1990s.

There have been up to 10 officers commissioned at a time at previous ceremonies but the commissioning of only two on this occasion has served to highlight the recruitment crisis in the navy.