Naval recruits who challenged themselves to obtain a trade qualification have been awarded as much as $125,000 (US$85,900) each after a long-running legal dispute over the qualifications they were promised but did not obtain. 
The final sums will be subject to negotiation, taking into account lost interest as well as income tax.
New South Wales (NSW) Supreme Court Justice Peter Garling awarded damages for nine recruits on June 16 in sums ranging from $40,000 (US$27,500) to $125,000 after they did not receive the training and resulting qualification they were promised when they enlisted.
Lead plaintiff Clayton William Searle enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy as a marine technician and was to receive training over four years to receive a Certificate IV in engineering. …