[1] An excellent, succinct and informative article which describes the strategy and mechanisms of managing a dynamic and fluid appointment plan. I imagine the thick skin you acquired as a METOC, equipped you well when you had to “disappoint” some of your IO population. Mike Channon. 23/11/2019.

[2] I really enjoyed reading this piece by Bob Young because appointers played such a pivotal and supportive role in the careers and lives of schoolies. I especially appreciated the 'appointer days' he describes and recall the 'open door' policy of my own appointer (Alan Prosser), who was always approachable and sympathetic in listening to my career and job preferences, whilst (understandably) prioritising the needs of the Service as Bob helpfully outlines in this article. John Nixon. 24/11/2019.

[3] A succinct but informative article, and an interesting read. It was how I more or less imagined an appointer's job to be like. Not the sort of job for a disorganized person! Mike Rose. 24/11/2019.

[4] I was on the same met course as Bob Young and he was a bit different in that he pondered on problems before spouting forth - unlike some! Careful before speaking and then sticking to his decision. I completed 10 years in the RN. with the inevitable time in “the hole”. My RN time gave me my career for the next 27 years with marine forecasting in the Middle East Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai (and that included a Trafalgar Night dinner in Muscat with old RN friends then North Sea forecasting (including the recovery of the Piper Alpha accommodation block and the explosive removal of the Piper jacket). [Note: "the hole" refers to the Fleet Weather Centre meteorological office, located in an underground bunker at CINCFLEET HQ, Northwood.] Al Williamson. 23/03/2020.

[1] The document presented here is a scanned version of a recruitment brochure for the Instructor Officer Branch, produced in 1965. The original booklet has been kindly donated to the RNIOA and should be of interest to those who wish to know more about all aspects of the work of RNIOs at that time, entrance requirements, possible appointments, sub-specialisations and opportunities at sea and abroad. The photographs in the brochure include iconic images of Royal Navy ships of the 1960s, IOs operating computers, giving weather forecast briefings and releasing weather balloons, teaching at the Royal Marines Depot, Deal, the Wardroom at the Royal Naval Engineering College Manadon, the Royal Naval College Greenwich, navigation on board an operational ship, and more. We hope it will bring back fond memories for former Schoolies and provide a comprehensive overview of the work carried out by RNIOs for other readers. The brochure was produced by the Ministry of Defence (Navy) and the Central Office of Information, in1965, but does not have a copyright statement, so we believe that there are no restrictions to us reproducing it here. Readers should, however, take note of the statement on the brochure's disclaimer on the back page. We are very grateful to Commander Mike Channon OBE RN for making the brochure available to us. John Nixon. 25/08/2019.