Education officers have been borne in ships of the Royal Navy since the end of the 17th Century and were originally embarked to instruct the 'young gentlemen' destined to become officers, in mathematics and navigation.

1702

The Naval Schoolmaster is first mentioned in an Order-of-Council when he was permitted to be paid as a Midshipman and to receive a bounty of £20 per year. Candidates were required to pass a test of ingenuity set by the master and Brethren of Trinity House.

1729

Naval Academy at Portsmouth opened and the training of young gentlemen at sea abandoned. This was not a success and schoolmasters continued to be borne in ships.

1806

Naval Academy enlarged and renamed the Royal Naval College.

1812

Bounty increased to £30 per year and a tuition fee of £5 per year stopped from each young gentleman's pay. Honours graduates were exempt from entry examination now set by the Governor of the R.N. College. Chaplains could claim bounty and levy if no Schoolmaster borne.

1836

Raised to Warrant Rank and given title of Naval Instructor and Schoolmaster.

1837

Introduction of Seaman's Schoolmaster as First Class Petty Officer. 

1842

R.N. College closed - training to be given at sea exclusively. Establishment of 39 Naval Instructors of whom 11 were graduates. 

1861

Naval Instructors appointed by commission. Introduction of blue distinction cloth. New entries appointed as Lieutenants with automatic promotion to Commander after 15 years service. 

1867

Seaman's Schoolmaster given title of Naval Schoolmaster and rating of Chief Petty Officer and ranking with Master at Arms and drawing same pay. 

1903

Selborne Scheme - with the training of Cadets at Dartmouth and Osborne to the age of 17, instruction at sea would no longer be necessary and Naval Instructors were to be allowed to die out and the entry closed. 

1913

Admiralty were already doubtful of the wisdom of abolishing the Naval Instructor and considerable numbers were entered in the next few years.

1914

The Admiralty undertook to pay the compulsory contribution of Midshipman which had lingered on and become 3d. per day. They were finally abolished in 1919.

1916 

Hood Committee recommended the institution of educational tests for advancement. All Naval Schoolmasters were given Warrant Rank and ceased to be assistants to the Chaplain.

1917

Rank of Chief Naval Instructor with four stripes instituted.

1919

Dual appointment of Chaplain and Naval Instructor terminated.

1922

The Instructor Branch was reconstituted and a system of ranks from Instructor Lieutenant to Instructor Captain introduced. Permanent commissions were awarded to temporary officers recommended after a specified period. Schoolmasters were promoted Senior Masters and Headmaster Lieutenant.

1927 

First Schoolmaster promoted to Headmaster in the rank of Commander.

1935

Naval Meteorological Service formed. Instructor Officers were among the first to take part.

1936

The first Instructor Officer was appointed Director of the Admiralty Education Department. From 1905 to this date administration had been directed by a civilian Adviser on Education with an Instructor Officer as his deputy.

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