Seventeen aspiring submariners passed the 16-week basic course, earning the opportunity to wear the "dolphin", the distinctive symbol of the component submarines. The intensive basic specialist training program allowed participants to develop and refine the first basic skills to operate on board submarines.
The badge award ceremony was held on March 15 at the submersible flotilla command of Taranto, presided over by the commander of the submarines, rear admiral Vito Lacerenza. The event recorded the presence of military authorities and representatives of the national submariner component of the ANMI, together with a large group of relatives and friends of the new submariners, visibly moved and proud.
During his speech, Rear Admiral Lacerenza highlighted the peculiarities of the career of a submariner, highlighting how this profession not only offers the opportunity to immerse oneself in a singular and fascinating experience in the underwater world, but also opens the doors to a engaging and rewarding career. He illustrated how becoming a submariner means embarking on a compelling path of professional and personal growth, in which the skills and competences of each individual are enhanced through the fundamental contribution of teamwork.
New submariners will have the opportunity to embark on innovative submarines equipped with advanced technologies, which play a crucial role in defending the country's vital interests, operating in an underwater dimension that is taking on growing relevance in a changing geopolitical context. The submarine fleet, currently made up of 8 units, including 4 of the U212A type with independent air propulsion system, is affected by a process of continuous evolution. Over the next few years, it will see the introduction of four new U212 units Near Future Submarine, with the first two examples already under construction in La Spezia. These new submarines will progressively replace the units of the class Sauro, marking a significant step forward in the technological and operational evolution of Italian submarine component.
