31/08/2026
Fisher Division: Celebrating innovation and leadership at HMS Raleigh.
Among the divisions that have helped shape generations of Royal Navy sailors at HMS Raleigh, Fisher Division carries the name of one of the most influential figures in British naval history.
Named in honour of Admiral of the Fleet Sir John "Jacky" Fisher, the division represents innovation, determination and forward-thinking leadership, qualities that remain vital to the Royal Navy today.
As recruits begin their naval careers at HMS Raleigh, Fisher Division serves as a reminder that the success of the Royal Navy has always depended not only on courage at sea, but also on the willingness to embrace change and prepare for the challenges of the future.
Since 1940, HMS Raleigh has been responsible for training generations of Royal Navy personnel. As the home of Initial Naval Training, it is where recruits learn the military, maritime and personal skills required to become members of the Naval Service.
At the heart of this training is the divisional system. Divisions provide recruits with structure, support and identity throughout their training journey. They foster teamwork, encourage personal development and connect modern sailors with the people and traditions that have shaped the Royal Navy.
Fisher Division is part of this proud heritage, carrying a name associated with one of the greatest periods of transformation in naval history.
Born in Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka) in 1841, John Arbuthnot Fisher joined the Royal Navy at the age of 13. During a career that spanned more than sixty years, he rose through the ranks to become one of the most influential naval leaders Britain has ever produced.
Fisher served during a period of extraordinary technological change. The Royal Navy was transitioning from wooden sailing ships to steel warships powered by steam and equipped with increasingly sophisticated weapons. Recognising that the future belonged to innovation and modernisation, Fisher became a driving force behind sweeping reforms.
His impact on the Navy would be profound and long-lasting.
As First Sea Lord from 1904 to 1910, Fisher transformed the Royal Navy to meet the challenges of a new century.
He championed:
• Modern warship design
• Improved training and education
• Technological innovation
• Greater operational efficiency
• Investment in submarines and naval aviation
• Reform of personnel management
Perhaps his most famous achievement was his role in the development of HMS Dreadnought, launched in 1906.
The revolutionary battleship rendered previous warships obsolete almost overnight. Equipped with an all-big-gun armament and powered by steam turbines, HMS Dreadnought established a new standard for naval warfare and triggered an international naval arms race.
The term "dreadnought" soon became synonymous with the world's most powerful battleships, and Fisher's vision fundamentally altered naval strategy across the globe.
Fisher was renowned for his belief that the Royal Navy must continually evolve to remain effective. He encouraged innovative thinking, challenged outdated practices and sought to prepare the Service for future threats rather than past wars.
His leadership was not without controversy. Fisher's reforms often met resistance from those who preferred established traditions. However, his determination ensured that Britain entered the twentieth century with a Navy better equipped to maintain its position as a global maritime power.
Many historians regard Fisher as the architect of the modern Royal Navy.
The naming of Fisher Division reflects the Royal Navy's recognition of the importance of adaptability, vision and professional excellence.
For recruits entering Fisher Division, Sir John Fisher's legacy provides an important lesson. Success in the Naval Service requires more than technical skill and discipline; it also demands the willingness to learn, develop and respond to new challenges.
These qualities are central to the training delivered at HMS Raleigh, where recruits prepare for careers in a Navy that operates some of the world's most advanced ships, submarines, aircraft and technological systems.
Over the years, thousands of recruits have trained within Fisher Division as they embarked upon their Royal Navy careers.
Throughout their training, divisional staff provide guidance, support and mentorship, helping recruits adapt to the expectations and standards of naval life.
The shared challenges faced within the division help develop camaraderie and teamwork, creating bonds that often last long after training has been completed.
The history of Fisher Division is reflected in the achievements of the sailors who have passed through its ranks. From operational deployments and humanitarian missions to service aboard frontline warships and submarines, former members of the division have contributed to Royal Navy operations around the world.
Each new intake adds another chapter to the division's story, building upon a tradition of professionalism and commitment that stretches back through decades of training at HMS Raleigh.
Today, Fisher Division continues to prepare recruits for service in a rapidly changing naval environment. The challenges facing the modern Royal Navy, from cyber operations and autonomous systems to global maritime security, would undoubtedly have fascinated a visionary like Sir John Fisher.
His belief in innovation, readiness and continuous improvement remains highly relevant to the sailors of the twenty-first century.
As recruits march onto the parade ground and begin their naval journey, Fisher Division stands as a lasting tribute to a man whose ideas transformed the Royal Navy and whose legacy continues to influence its future. Through the men and women who train within its ranks, the spirit of innovation championed by Admiral Sir John Fisher lives on at HMS Raleigh.
