THE head of the Royal Navy challenged Russell Crowe to be “put through his paces” after the Hollywood star was awarded an honorary military rank in Australia.
The Master and Commander actor was appointed an honorary commander by the head of Australian Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, on Friday.
Crowe, 61, who played Captain Jack Aubrey in the 2003 blockbuster, joked: “Once navy, always navy.”
He shared a selfie online showing his British co-star Max Pirkis and Vice Admiral Hammond onboard the Australian destroyer.
Crowe wrote: “Onboard the HMAS Sydney I was presented with the honorary rank of Commander in the Royal Australian Navy.”
The Oscar winning star joins James Bond star Daniel Craig, who was appointed an honorary commander in the Royal Navy in 2021.
It is the same rank held by Ian Fleming’s fictional secret agent.
Crowe, who was born in New Zealand but lived most of his life in Australia, added: “Here I am with Vice Admiral Hammond and Lord Blakeney – Max Pirkis.
“I served with Lord Blakeney on the HMS Surprise back in 1805. Once Navy, Always Navy.”
Moments later Britain’s First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins responded: “Careful what you wish for, Russel Crowe.
“Captain Aubrey might have handled the high seas, but I’m happy to put you through your paces at Britannia Royal Naval College.”
Commander is an officer’s rank normally reached after three promotions. Commanders normally command “a warship or submarine, squadron or shore establishment”. It is one below the rank of captain.
General Jenkins led Britain’s Special Boat Service – the naval sister unit to world famous SAS.
He was later Director Special Forces, in charge of covert missions across the globe, before making history last year as the first Royal Marine Commando to lead the Royal Navy.
The Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth was founded in 1863 and its most famous students have included King Charles.
The King, who spent six weeks studying there in 1971, returned last year and recalled his training as “character-building stuff”.
He said: “I ended up commanding one of the last wooden-walled ships in the Royal Navy, the Ton class minehunter, and desperately tried to avoid becoming yet another headline in the tabloid newspapers by running into the jetty during a berthing operation in a force nine gale.”
Addressing officer recruits at their passing out parade, he added: “My own service taught me that leadership is not about rank. It is, and has always been, about character.
“It is about making sound decisions under pressure, holding firm to our values when the seas are rough, and leading with humility and resolve.”
Daniel Craig described his appointment as a “privilege and an honour”.
