Lieutenant Commander Daniel Crook Royal Navy – Citation
Lt Cdr Daniel Crook commanded the largest training unit within the RN Training Team Fisher enterprise, leading over 140 military and civilian staff and delivering training to nearly 900 students annually, with responsibilities spanning complex engineering courses from Phase 2 ratings to future Commanders and Commanding Officers. Despite significant staffing gaps and civilian redundancies, he has delivered major improvements, successfully reset failing transformation projects, assumed responsibility for an additional training unit and contributed to branch-level change. His leadership is characterised by clear objectives, innovation, effective delegation, robust challenge of inefficiency, strong staff engagement and a balanced approach to discipline and compassion. He actively supports professional development and has earned the trust and respect of more than 1,000 people through his organisation, communication and commitment to high standards. The scale and complexity of his responsibilities, normally associated with more senior officers, together with his record of achievement and willingness to assume additional responsibilities, demonstrate significant leadership ability and considerable future potential.
On the 29th May this year, the OA Sword was presented at Ceremonial Divisions at HMS COLLINGWOOD by Admiral Sir Keith Blount, KCB, OBE, NATO’s Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
The OA Sword had previously belonged to Captain Norman Hodgson, who joined the RN in 1960 and served as a submariner, commanding HM Submarines Porpoise, Superb, Swiftsure and Courageous.
Latterly, he commanded HMS Endurance and served as Deputy Chief Strategic Systems Executive (as Commodore) and as Director Naval Reserves before retiring in 1999.
