Soldier 03.2024

CONTENTS
Everyone
here has done
it for real in
the NHS
Cover picture: Graeme Main
Medics showcase expertise – p36
FEATURES
33 Doing things differently
Soldier Academy transforms training
36 Frequent flyer
Airborne medic shares exercise diary
40 Back to the future

Kosovo then and now Need to Know:
45 Order in disorder Women’s
Paras gear up for peacekeeping duty Wellness
REGULARS p24-31
7 The Informer
Top stories from across the Service
24 Need to Know
Essential tips for today’s personnel
50 Talkback
Ruminations from the ranks
40
52 Bullet Points
Troops’ intelligence asset
58 Reviews
Movies, games and books
to fill your downtime
74 Final Word
Reservist recommendations
SOLDIERSPORT
64 Winter sports
Mixed fortunes at Meribel meet
64
66 Climbing
Bouldering makes Services bow
67 Cresta
Riders toast title number five
69 Football
Young guns strike at the death
71 Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Army Championships as popular as ever
72 Basketball
New-look corps clash concludes
4 MARCH 2024 soldiermagazine.co.uk

71
Helping
45 females stay
on form
THE truth about female health (if
anyone was wondering what the line
on our front cover refers to) is that, well,
we don’t actually know the truth.
Historic underinvestment – and
under-interest – in how women’s bodies
work means that society is now playing
catch-up to fully understand what
makes them tick, and therefore how to
maximise female performance.
It’s just one example of the areas
where women are required to work far
harder for anything like the same sort
of outcome as their male counterparts
(more on that in the Army sergeant
major’s column on page 19).
Read this month’s Need to Know
section from page 24, which we have
dedicated to this month’s International
Women’s Day.
The sooner organisations start
using this occasion to level the playing
field practically, rather than simply
celebrating the existence of women, the
better off we will all be.
And to that end, find out more about
the Army Health and Performance
Research Team’s pioneering study into
the contraceptive pill on page 26 – the
outcome of which is likely to support
Servicewomen’s musculoskeletal
health for generations to come.
Enjoy the issue.
Sarah Goldthorpe • Editor
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soldiermagazine.co.uk MARCH 2024 5

news@soldiermagazine.co.uk
British troops’ news asset
The Pathfinders
(shown here
in Northern
Macedonia) will
Editor Sarah Goldthorpe
drop into Estonia
sgoldthorpe@soldiermagazine.co.uk
during Ex Steadfast
sarah.goldthorpe100@mod.gov.uk
Defender
Assistant Editor/Sports Editor Richard Long
rlong@soldiermagazine.co.uk
richard.long839@mod.gov.uk
Assistant Editor Becky Clark
rclark@soldiermagazine.co.uk
rebecca.clark937@mod.gov.uk
Assistant Editor Cliff Caswell
ccaswell@soldiermagazine.co.uk
Art Editor Tudor Morgan
tmorgan@soldiermagazine.co.uk
owen.morgan680@mod.gov.uk
Designer Martin Gannon
mgannon@soldiermagazine.co.uk
martin.gannon102@mod.gov.uk
Picture: Cpl Rob Kane, RLC
Photographer Graeme Main

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graeme.main536@mod.gov.uk
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T
HE largest Nato exercise since the equipment into central Europe.
Cold War has kicked off. A month later, the 16 Air Assault Subscriptions/Enquiries
07789 034748
Between now and June, some Brigade Combat Team’s Pathfinders subs@soldiermagazine.co.uk
20,000 British troops will be deployed (shown) will drop into Rapla, Estonia
across 11 countries, spanning Bardufoss – the first time Brits will have tactically Email: news@soldiermagazine.co.uk
in the Arctic Circle down to Georgia on parachuted from an A400M aircraft. soldiermagazine.co.uk
the Black Sea. Then 250 paratroopers from the
Steadfast Defender, as the battlegroup of 3rd Battalion, The Managing Editor Steve Muncey
package is known, is testing Nato’s Parachute Regiment deploy into Nurmsi, smuncey@soldiermagazine.co.uk
ability to deploy forces across Europe Estonia from three American C17s. steven.muncey100@mod.gov.uk
when a member state is attacked by a They will be joined by one US
near-peer enemy. company and another from Poland.
Some 16,000 soldiers are In late May, personnel from the 12th
participating, plus a Royal Navy carrier Armoured BCT will head to Drawsko
strike group centred on a Queen
Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier, 400 Royal
Pomorskie Training Area in Poland for
combined arms manoeuvres and practice The units’
on British and US bridging equipment.
performance
Marines and Royal Air Force attack and
surveillance aircraft. The US Army’s Gen Christopher Cavoli,
SOLDIER – Magazine of the British Army
Among the British Army contingent Nato’s supreme allied commander Ordnance Barracks, Government Road,
is the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade
Combat Team (the Desert Rats), which
recently assumed leadership of Nato’s
Europe, said: “Steadfast Defender 2024
is a clear demonstration of our unity,
strength and determination to protect
has been Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 2DU.
SOLDIER is published by the Ministry of Defence

Very High Readiness Joint Task Force.
Its troops are taking part in two key
each other, our values and the rules-
based international order.” Q
second to and printed by Walstead (Roche) Ltd.
Print contract managed by CDS.
© CROWN COPYRIGHT 2024
stages, which include a wide wet gap
crossing on the Vistula River, Poland. none Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily
STEADFAST IN NUMBERS
those of the British Army or the Ministry of Defence.
“It is an honour and a great We take every care to ensure details are correct. Soldier
responsibility to be leading the VJTF magazine takes no responsibility for errors or omissions.
Prices or dates quoted are correct at the time of publication
90,000
at this time,” Commander, Brig Guy personnel and are subject to change. We do not endorse products
Foden, told Soldier. “This provides the participating or services appearing in the directory, classified, editorial
opportunity for us to practise a likely or display advertising featured in the publication. We take
deployment to Nato’s eastern flank.
“The training offered by the Land
31 Nato allies,
plus Sweden
no responsibility for the content or security of third party
websites mentioned in this publication.
Warfare Centre has been first rate and

the units’ performance second to none.” 166 tanks
In April, around 250 vehicles
belonging to the 12th Armoured Brigade 533 LQIDQWU\ƮJKWLQJ
YHKLFOHV
417
Combat Team will be loaded onto rail armoured personnel
flatbeds in Folkestone for transit through carriers
80
the Channel Tunnel. air assets, including fast jets,
This will demonstrate this as a KHOLFRSWHUVDQGGURQHV
viable way of moving the Army’s heavy

A taste of Army activity across the world
Picture: LSgt Carl McClendon, Gren Gds
1. JAMAICA 1. JAMAICA
BOSSING IT IN 3. ANTIGUA
THE BUSH
A TESTING seven-week stint in the by air or sea before attacking and
Caribbean is drawing to a close holding an island.
for personnel from 1st Battalion, “For some, this is their first
Grenadier Guards. exposure to working in the close IN NUMBERS:
Having honed jungle, urban and
live-firing skills throughout Exercise
Red Stripe, members of Number 2
Company will be gearing up for a
country tropical environment,”
explained Capt Toby Cairns.
“We have also been strengthening
our partnership with the Jamaica
620
Troops deployed on
Project Convergence
final assault as this issue hits bases. Defence Force, operating with their in California and
Depending on weather conditions infantry, helicopters and inshore New Mexico, focusing
on the day, the troops will insert patrol boat teams.” on experimental
technologies.
2. FALKAND ISLANDS
Read more in future
editions of Soldier
2. FALKLAND
OVER TO YOU ISLANDS
MEANWHILE, Grenadier Guardsmen from Inkerman Company
have taken the lead of the Army’s rotational deployment to the
South Atlantic.
Their three-month assignment as the Falkland Islands
Roulement Infantry Company promises a packed programme of
patrolling, ranges and other soldiering skills, as well as the chance
to train with Royal Air Force and Royal Navy counterparts.
3. ANTIGUA
The regular tasking to the exposed outcrop offers a challenging
test of military mettle, as predecessors the Welsh Guards found
BACK ON DRY LAND
during a five-day exercise ahead of the handover. VETERANS raising money to boost Cancer UK and the Head Up charity,
The outgoing troops (pictured below) were military mental health support were which Carrier and Dagnall co-
put through their paces among nearly 100 rowers to take founded to fund a holistic retreat for
around Stanley on the latest Talisker Whisky former and serving personnel.
Common, Mount Atlantic Challenge. Their ultimate aim
Kent and Team Marduk, made is to run seven-day
Pleasant up of Adam Carrier residential courses for
Peak. (ex-RHG/D), George those struggling with
Dagnall and Jack their mental health
Chapman (both – teaching them
ex-Rifles), plus civvy positive mindset
Alex Jackson, paddled techniques and
Picture: Atlantic Campaigns
from La Gomera in the wellbeing strategies,

Canary Islands to Antigua followed by some 18
in just over 38 days. months of aftercare.
Picture: BFSAI
Having trained for two years for the To help them in their mission
3,000-mile voyage, they have so far visit gofundme.com/f/marduk-
raised more than £50,000 for Bowel atlantic-challenge

INTELLIGENCE
FOR THE ATLAS?
4. UK
Brief the team now:
Email: news@soldiermagazine.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/soldiermagazine
X (formerly Twitter): @soldiermagazine
‘The downhill was the hardest

it has ever been’
Skiers feel the heat
in Meribel – page 64
5. BRUNEI
6. SOUTH PACIFIC
4. UK 5. BRUNEI
NEW BEGINNINGS FEELING THE HEAT 6. SOUTH PACIFIC
MORE than 330 trainee
Gurkhas have arrived at
A DOZEN troops from The Rifles
took the chance to conduct a
NOTABLE TOUR
A GIFTED pipe major turned Army ambassador has taken his tunes
Infantry Training Centre potential NCO cadre and sharpen thousands of miles from home.
Catterick to start life in the up their jungle warfare skills at the CSgt James Muir (Scots) joined the US Navy Fleet Band for
British military. same time. performances in venues including the Fijian capital Suva.
The gruelling 39-week Having missed out on the The senior NCO boarded aircraft carrier USS Pearl Harbor as part of a
course will transform them package in the UK, they joined some six-month stint with the American-led Pacific Partnership, which delivers
from raw recruits into capable 70 soldiers from Brunei-based 1st assistance, training and culture to more than half-a-dozen nations.
soldiers, as well as teaching Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles CSgt Muir, who was also on deck to pipe the ship into Nuku’afola,
cultural and educational skills on their junior leadership course at Tonga, said the tour was proving the experience of a lifetime.
to help them settle into their the Labi jungle training area. Troops had helped teach children music on the naval outing, but he
adopted country. The itinerary included added that the Great Highland Bagpipe had proved a challenge.
Their Army careers got off to instructional techniques, range “Only one strong-lunged student
a memorable start when Chief management, urban tactics, managed to get a sound – met by great
of the General Staff, Gen Sir navigation and command tasks, applause when successful and clapping
Patrick Sanders, attended their climaxing with a 19-day exercise and laughter when not,” he added.
attestation parade in Pokhara deep in the bush.
prior to their departure from “It has been enjoyable getting
Nepal (pictured below). to know a new bunch of guys but
also a real challenge learning to
Picture: MC2 Deirdre Marsac, US Navy
work in the heat and spending a

tough stint in the jungle,” said Rfn
Robert Askew (Rifles).
2Lt Henry Johnson (RGR)
described the tasks set for students
as “a perfect opportunity to display
critical thinking, concise briefing
skills and leadership”.

Q&A
SOLDIER grills HQ ARRC

FKLHIRIVWDƬ Maj Gen Mike
Keating...
How real is the threat we face?
I don’t want be alarmist but the shift
Picture: Graeme Main
is certainly tangible. And it’s vital that

we do everything possible to deter that
threat from materialising.
Does the current picture
compare to anything else in your
A NEW AGE OF CONCEALMENT

experience? I grew up in an Army
family in the Cold War – so yes, there
is a familiarity. But in my serving
lifetime, the world has never felt a
more uncertain place.
Command points are proving more vulnerable in the digital age Do you think Nato is well
prepared? Yes – at the HQ we
have also had a focus on individual
T
ROOPS running military nerve bullets to solve these problems – and a readiness. I’ve been impressed with
centres must adapt to a fast- key issue will be how quickly our forces how soldiers have responded.
moving battlespace if they can absorb and act on information.” How do your troops feel about
are to avoid their leadership being A former Army Air Corps officer, the global picture? We are more
“decapitated” by the enemy, a senior Maj Gen Keating – who was deputy distant from events in eastern Europe
Nato officer has said. commanding general at US III Armoured in the UK. But I think our colleagues
Maj Gen Mike Keating – chief of staff Corps before arriving in Gloucester – from that part of the world feel the
at the Gloucester-based HQ Allied Rapid
Reaction Corps – said critical command
points would prove vulnerable in an
was speaking as Nato readied for its
largest exercise in decades (page 7).
The Steadfast Defender package will
A key issue proximity of threat more keenly.
Is operating with so many
environment where new tech made
camouflage and movement a challenge.
see thousands of British troops join
alliance colleagues in conventional
will be how nations a challenge? We have
allies from some 21 nations working
With drones providing a
comprehensive tactical picture and data
conflict rehearsal.
Military planners with HQ ARRC – quickly our in HQ ARRC. But that unity of
purpose and common bond also helps
WRXQORFNGLƬHUHQWZD\VRIZRUNLQJ
beamed digitally to attackers, a killer which currently heads up Nato’s lead
blow could rapidly be delivered.
But he stressed that Nato was well
warfighting formation – will also face
their own unique tests in the summer.
forces can and thinking.
prepared. And a series of upcoming

exercises would be a key opportunity to
Maj Gen Keating said: “The US-led
Exercise Avenger Triad is going to prove absorb and act
refine robust drills to conceal assets as
well as packing up, shifting and striking
back decisively at the enemy.
a real test of our capability – we will
need to be on top of our game.
“As well as distributed command and
on information DITS WANTED
Q ANECDOTES reflecting the lighter side of
Maj Gen Keating explained to control, we must pay attention to the Forces life are being sought for a new book.
Soldier that speed to the trigger would logistics chain, which could also prove Authors Philip Ingram (ex-Int Corps) and
ultimately prove decisive in a future vulnerable in the new battlespace. Nikky Mitchinson (ex-RLC) are gathering
conventional battle. “Thankfully, our troops are proving amusing tales for inclusion in their
forthcoming title The Ditionary.
“Leaders will face a duel with an highly capable and having different
Former loggie Mitchinson, who is now
opponent determined to decapitate our nations working together means that married to a serving soldier and runs the
command,” he emphasised. we have diversity of thought. popular Army wife parody vlog My Name is
“Camouflage no longer just applies “This is important as there is a Sarah, said sales of the title would help raise
in the traditional sense – concealment tangible feeling that the threat has funds for several military charities.
is multi-domain and as much about the moved on – and that there is a real Visit militarydits.co.uk to take part and
digital, even social media, footprint. purpose behind the current schedule of for guidance on contact with the media read
“Unfortunately, there are no magic military exercises.” Q 2020DIN03-005

Q&A Off to a flying start
THE Service’s national good
cause – The Army
Benevolent Fund – recently
reverted back to its old name
after rebranding as ABF
The Soldiers’ Charity some
13 years ago. We asked the
organisation’s boss Maj Gen
(Retd) Tim Hyams about the
reasons behind the move…
Why did you decide to go back to
your former identity? There was
a growing sense that our name had
Course for officer cadets considering airborne careers enjoys promising results
W
become a source of confusion and ITH recruitment woes affecting of the course organisers, Maj Robert
was not always understood. Research nearly every part of the Sweeney (Para), told Soldier.
showed the Army Benevolent Fund Service, it’s hoped an initiative The first assessment weekend
remained a recognised brand, which to encourage more University Officers’ included P Coy events such as stretcher
most people had known us as since Training Corps candidates to consider a and log races, the steeplechase,
our foundation in 1944. career in airborne units proves fruitful. trainasium and a loaded march (shown).
Any reason as to the timing? The first Exercise Maroon Student Subsequent weekends included
Yes – it coincided with other recently concluded with a third of the teamwork, tactical awareness, planning
improvements on how we intake – around 22 officer cadets – and mental resilience activities, the
It really gave
communicate, develop relationships declared eligible for the preparation soldier role fitness test and briefings
with our donors and grow our course Army Reserve (PCAR), which is from serving personnel.
supporter base. This included a new the preliminary stage for the all-arms The successful cadets are now
website – armybenevolentfund.org
How important is it? For us, the
us a chance to pre-parachute selection course.
The package was set up early last
able to apply for the PCAR, which is
traditionally set aside for those already
change will bring greater clarity to our
role as the Army’s national charity and
test ourselves year and delivered by the Yorkshire
Officers’ Training Regiment over a
serving in Reserve airborne units.
“Maroon Student was a phenomenal
number of months on behalf of the opportunity to have a window into how
one of the largest in the sector.
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. airborne forces operate and live,” said
Is the Army family in greater Structured around three assessment OCdt Zack Sadleir from East Midlands
need given the tightening of weekends, its aim is to expose UOTC. “The exercise really gave us a
belts?:HKDYHVHHQDVLJQLƮFDQW candidates from across the UK to the chance to test ourselves physically and
increase in individual cases seeking physical and leadership standards mentally which we wouldn’t be able to
our assistance since the beginning expected at elite regiments. do at our regular UOTC units.”
RIWKHƮQDQFLDO\HDU7KHUHDUH “It provides them with training and Maj Chris Braithwaite (Para), officer
several factors driving this, economic guidance to help their entry into the commanding P Coy, added: “I hope this
conditions being one of them. airborne forces, whether commissioned process has encouraged them to join
or soldier, Regular or Reserve,” one the airborne forces.” Q
FEARLISEINSGS
TIGERS ON TOUR TO CYPRUS
A MOTORBIKE-MAD veteran quartet is on the journey from Tidworth to Dhekelia,
preparing to hit the road and head south Cyprus and back again this summer.
in a mammoth ride to raise money for less The 5,000-mile Tigers on Tour trip will
fortunate colleagues. take the bikers – who are all in their 60s
Alan Sands, Fred Ball, Rupert “Dusty” – across Germany, Bulgaria and Turkey.
FUNDRA
Miller and Trevor Burden They are riding to remember fallen and
(L-R) – who all served with injured
in colleagues.
The Hampshire Regiment Search Tigers on Tour
– are taking to the saddle
Target funds: oon justgiving.com
£1,000
For: Help for Heroes
Q A SUPER-FIT Army doc is on

top of the world after winning
a gruelling race through
the wilderness of northern
Sweden – one of the world’s
most punishing extreme
events. Lt Col Edward Sellon
(RAMC) braved temperatures
of -30 degrees Centigrade as
he hauled himself 130 miles
across the Klungsleden Trail in
the Arctic Spine Challenger. He
finished February’s five-day
endurance race – during which
competitors trek and ski while
pulling kit on a sled – alone
after his two team colleagues
were forced to withdraw due
to cold weather injuries.
“The experience was so
Swedish pitfalls
much tougher than anyone
expected,” the 45-year-old
Picture: Will Roberts
admitted. “You really draw on

your Army training for a race
such as this.”
RSM exits on wellbeing note COURSES FOR LEAVERS

Q SERVICE leavers are to benefit from
more support finding jobs thanks to
a new contract between the Career
A
RESPECTED regimental sergeant Transition Partnership (CTP) and
major, fitness guru and military recruitment company Reed.
mental health advocate opted Under the deal, the number of
for a novel sign-off from the Army professional courses for soon-to-
to help spread a positive message to
fellow troops. Find people be veterans will more than double,
with training geared towards sectors
WO1 Melita Jarvis (AAC, pictured)
invited personnel to hit the gym
with her at ATR Grantham – pushing
who you trust such as engineering, cyber security,
healthcare and renewable energy.
themselves through three different
workouts and a mindfulness event.
– honesty is so The transition to the new provider
will be complete in October, starting
important
with a phased approach to ensure
The senior soldier, pictured, is that the services offered by current
hanging up her boots after 22 years. I have always been passionate about contractor, Right Management Ltd, are
And having lost a close family promoting mental health awareness. not disrupted.
member to suicide, the wellbeing of “It hits home when somebody close Figures published recently by
colleagues has been a deeply personal to you takes their own life – you find the MoD reveal that of the 11,427
priority for her. yourself asking why. personnel who used the CTP in the
She told Soldier: “I wanted to do “If there was a single piece of period 2022-23, 89 per cent were in
something a bit different as a leaving advice I could give to young soldiers employment six months after leaving –
event – I’ve never liked alcohol but I about mental health, it would be to up slightly on the previous year.
love my phys, so I opted for the gym. find people who you trust and have
“We had a PTI running a some frank conversations.
mindfulness event too – it was great as “Honesty is so important.” Q
SPECIAL NEEDS STUDY
Q A BACKLASH from Army officers has led the Service to “Defence is still committed to widening entitlement to those
Q A STUDY has been launched into the
p paused
hit pause on its plan to allocate quarters based on need in established long-term relationships and parents with non-
state of play for Service children with special
rather than rank. resident children, but we have listened to feedback and are
educational needs and disabilities.
The new accommodation offer – renamed the modernised therefore pausing the rollout of the elements related to SFA,
The Supporting All to Thrive initiative will
accommodation offer – was due to go live this month. including the move to needs-based allocation and in the short
examine the experiences of youngsters and
But a statement on Defnet as this issue went to press said: term the widening of entitlement.”
their families with the aim of improving life
SFA plan
for them in the future.

Academics from Oxford Brookes University
are carrying out the 18-month research
programme with £60,000 of funding from
the Armed Forces Covenant Trust.

TIME TO SPLASH
£20,000?
Sandhurst for soldiers
Professionalisation of basic training gets the thumbs-up
T
HE Soldier Academy has been
officially launched and will deliver
a more joined up and consistent
pathway for new recruits progressing
through all the Service’s phase one
establishments, says Army Sergeant
AS the 80th anniversary of D-Day Major WO1 Paul Carney.
approaches, aviation enthusiasts
with a cool £19,950 to spare can snap
It’s fit for Despite admitting to being slightly
sceptical at first that it may have just
up a limited-edition timepiece paying
homage to the heroic pilots of the
Second World War.
a new been a rebranding exercise, the Army’s
top soldier is convinced the changes
Watchmaker Colin Andrews
is crafting around 100 watches generation that have been introduced will take the
standard of basic training to a whole
new level.
featuring dials, hands and crowns

IDVKLRQHGIURPSDUWVRID6SLWƮUH The overhaul includes investment
ML295, which crash-landed in in infrastructure, delivering the same
Normandy in 1944 and is now being initial 13-week course at all basic
UHVWRUHGDW%LJJLQ+LOODLUƮHOG training centres for the first time and
Known as “The Few”, the series improved instructor development.
will also be inscribed with the “There’s a multitude of things the people who are delivering this together
QDPHVRIWKRVHZKRưHZWKHSODQH
Army has got after rather than just under one organisation, adapting the
including Hal Kramer who survived
LWVƮQDOVRUWLHDQGQDUURZO\HYDGHG
putting a new badge on and saying it’s course so it’s fit for the new generation.
capture by German troops. something different,” he told Soldier. “We can build resilience in our
Each watch is made to order and “I’m really chuffed we are soldiers while keeping as many of them
for further information on the piece professionalising our basic training in the as we can.”
visit great-british-watch.co.uk same way it was done at Sandhurst. Turn to page 33 for a run-down of
“The Soldier Academy brings all the the new academy’s role. Q
AFGHAN ASSISTANCE RAMPS UP

Troops use initiative to make life more comfortable for newcomers to the UK
RESOLUTE soldiers have been helping Afghans who worked with “We have helped, for example, by running a shop with
British forces to settle into the UK. basic necessities and we now have good links with local
Troops have been looking after the new arrivals while they communities,” Lt Wansbury added.
complete admin for the likes of health, state benefits, education “The last team here left their mark, and we have taken
and bank accounts. things a step further.”
But those deployed on Op Lazurite have also been using The troops have also started all-female shuras, or meetings,
their own initiative to make life more comfortable for their civvy enabling women on camp to open up frankly about personal
Picture: Cpl Aaron Stone, RLC
guests – many of whom deployed with Nato soldiers during issues. In Afghan culture these gatherings are normally led by
the alliance’s 20-year mission in Afghanistan – while they are the men.
housed in temporary accommodation at Army camps. LCpl Shannon Ramasso (AGC (SPS)), who set up the weekly
They have assisted with setting up welfare groups across the forum, said the move had improved support to families.
sites while forging links with local communities, good causes “Pushchairs were needed and within 48 hours we had five
and other organisations. donated, thanks to our relationship with a charity,” she said.
“Personnel have taken the job to heart and are finding it “The local residents here have been brilliant and helping out
worthwhile,” said Lt Joe Wansbury (below, left), who has been with our work.”
Colchester fuels future heading up a platoon-sized team built around 1st Battalion, The
Royal Anglian Regiment, at one site in Kent.
“Some served in Afghanistan on Op Toral but many of the
Khalid Asqhairi (below, right), a former Afghan army major
who works as a linguist on Lazurite, said the work was hugely
appreciated. “Our people can see that the soldiers go the extra
Q A CUTTING-EDGE trial of hydrogen-
younger generation have never been there – yet all of us here mile to help them. The troops are very respectful and ensure the
fuelled kit to charge MoD electric
can see the difference we are making.” operation runs smoothly,” he added.
vehicles is under way in Colchester. The network of UK reception camps provide the
The equipment, which is being tested opportunity for arrivals to adjust to their new lives. First
at Merville Barracks, can deliver power and foremost this means completing the paperwork
to four white fleet cars at a time – with needed to stay in the country.
drinkable water the only by-product. They then move to more permanent accommodation
Housed in a shipping container, the once the basic admin is squared away.
charger works independently of the Meanwhile, teams of interpreters are on hand to help
national grid. The trial is backed by the them navigate through the whole process, which can take
up to two months.
Defence Support Organisation.

Mouuld misery
contiinues
Q THE number of outstanding

maintenance jobs on Service homes
continues to fall, but mould remains a
commonly reported issue, according to the
Defence Infrastructure Organisation.
Pictures: Graeme Main and Nato
Phil Riley, the outfit’s head of

accommodation, said scheduled tasks were
The nature of today’s now at roughly a quarter of the peak figure
handheld tech means (21,100) seen in late 2022 after Pinnacle
that attacks can be took on the contract for family housing.
more personalised
Unsurprisingly, complaints are also
down – by more than 71 per cent.
Of the 979 active in January, around 15
‘Cyber expertise required’

per cent were about mould – second only
in volume to dissatisfaction with the time
taken to complete repairs.
Riley acknowledged damp and mould
were a big concern to tenants, and said
A
DEFENCE model in which the now allows personal messages to be measures were being taken to address this.
Army could call on a pool of civvy created, targeted to the psyche of an “We’re initially targeting the most
digital gurus might pay off in individual and sent straight to a phone.” serious cases, with nearly 1,400 homes
future crises, according to a former top Cyber attacks had already shown having had work done so far, and a further
Nato official.
Jamie Shea (pictured below), who
briefed journalists during campaigns
that they could wreak havoc on critical
infrastructure and states must be able
to deal with them effectively, he added.
We need 700 to be worked on early in the next
financial year,” he explained.
“On top of that, there are around
including the Kosovo conflict while
later studying new threats to the
Highlighting that Chief of the
General Staff, Gen Sir Patrick Sanders,
specialists to 1,700 properties which need more minor
interventions, such as treatment and
alliance, believed capability could
be beefed up with more social
had suggested that the wider UK
population must be ready if help out repainting, the large majority of which
have been completed.
media and cyber security there is an escalation in “This work has been greatly helped
experts on board. Europe, Shea asserted a by the establishment, a year ago, of a
Fostering a series of pool of experts could be a dedicated damp and mould task force with
strong relationships with sensible step. staff from DIO, Pinnacle, Amey and Vivo.”
senior executives in tech Other countries – He added that a £400m upgrade to
firms now could provide particularly in Scandinavia doors, windows, insulation and roofing on
an immediate advantage if – were already tapping thousands of quarters over the next two
war broke out, he added. into niche abilities and years would further improve the situation.
Shea – who retired from fielding a well-organised Riley credited the reduction in
Nato in 2019 after serving in defence against cyber attacks. complaints to extra personnel recruited
his final role as deputy assistant He pointed out that the game had by the contractors, including regional case
secretary general for emerging security changed, even since the relatively handlers and customer solutions managers.
challenges – pointed out that the recent campaigns.
British military already had a decent “Back when I was the Nato
level of in-house expertise. spokesman during the Kosovo crisis of
But the former alliance boss, who
is now a consultant and academic,
1999, traditional media with the likes
of CNN and the BBC still ruled the
EX-TIGER UNLEASHES TOP FOOTY PRIZES
maintained that constantly adapting to airwaves,” he said. Q A FORMER infanteer has netted some
a fast-moving situation was crucial. He “With the proliferation of channels Premier League prizes for a charity raffle at a
added: “The media space, for example, now, there would have been serious Surrey pub. Russell Webb (ex-PWRR, shown)
is now a weapon of war. challenge to the campaign before you has secured signed shirts from clubs including
“In Ukraine, we have seen personnel even got to misinformation and the Liverpool and Southampton, matchday tickets
sent threatening text messages in a social media space. and high street vouchers. Troops are invited
more sophisticated version of Lord Haw “Life is different, and the age of to buy tickets at The Crown Hotel in London
Haw – the man the Nazis deployed artificial intelligence is now enabling Street, Chertsey on March 23 from 1800
to intimidate civilians over the radio realistic fakes of leaders to be created to raise funds for Help for Heroes. Search
during the Second World War. – we need specialists to help out,” he “Crown Hotel Chertsey” for more info.
“None of this is new, but technology concluded. Q

VETERANS UPDATE
Q CROWDS gathered to remember soldiers and their loved
ones who were killed when terrorists bombed a coach 50 years
ago. Relatives of the 12 who died in the M62 atrocity joined
Army representatives, civic dignitaries, veterans and the public
for a special service at a memorial garden in the Hartshead
Moor service area. Nine troops from the Royal Artillery, Royal
Signals and 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
lost their lives when the Provisional IRA attacked the vehicle
carrying them back from weekend leave to Catterick and
Darlington. Among them was Cpl Clifford Haughton (RRF),
who was killed alongside wife Linda and the couple’s two
young children. Some 38 people were also injured.
Call for Cold War medal

A
PETITION calling for a medal to
be issued to the thousands who
served during the Cold War has
been gaining traction online.
The document on the UK Parliament
There were website had pulled in some 3,750
TRUCK IT AND SEE actually

signatures as this issue went to press.
Supporters insist soldiers who helped
deter conflict during the tense stand-off
Q A CHARITY that helps unemployed with the Soviet Union and its allies
veterans train as lorry drivers is looking for
new applicants. significant should be rewarded.
A government response will follow if
casualties
Run by SW Scotland RnR, the scheme has
so far funded HGV courses for 74 ex-military the petition hits the 10,000 mark by the
personnel. And it expects that number to climb July 26 deadline, and the matter will be
to 100 by the end of the year. considered for Westminster debate with I am hoping we can gain support from
It can also finance courses for those 100,000 backers. across the Forces.”
needing to convert their military HGV Lodged by retired Royal Air Force The proposal has received a mixed
qualification into the civvy equivalent. group captain Alan Ferguson (shown), reception from former Cold War soldiers.
As founder and former Reservist Robin the request makes the case that Cold Steve Davies, who served with 3rd
Hood (ex-Scots and RLC) pointed out, salaries War troops were instrumental in Battalion, The Royal Green Jackets
for truckers can reach £50,000 around London
preventing aggression as they stood during the 1970s, believes gongs should
and £35,000 elsewhere.
“Three people we have helped were living toe-to-toe with Russian-led Warsaw only be issued for specific deployments.
rough and now have well-paid jobs,” he said. Pact militaries. “I only have the UN medal for Cyprus
Applicants can be based anywhere in the However, the former fast-jet pilot and Op Banner award for Northern
UK, must not be in employment and have no is suggesting veterans contribute to Ireland – but that was normal for my
more than six points on their car licence. the cost of their medal with the heavy time in service.
Hood’s charity also funds holidays in burden the move would place on the “I can understand the reasons for
Dumfries and Galloway for injured troops. public purse. wanting this decoration but it is not for
Contact him on robinhoodswsrnr@ Ferguson told Soldier: “The idea of me – medals should only be issued for
gmail.com
a medal came to me after I recently campaigns, long service or gallantry.”
attended a service at the National However, ex-sapper Dereck Hardman
PLASTIC POWER
T HM Forces Veteran Card is now

THE Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. – who served during the 1980s –
aavailable to ex-personnel. It aims to “It is only when you look at the believed the medal proposal might
make life easier by providing proof names on the monuments that you attract some support.
tthat they served when trying to access realise how many people were lost “Life expectancy of soldiers would
ssupport and discounts. Sign up by during that era – there were actually have been very short if war had broken
ssearching “veteran card” on gov.uk significant casualties [in training]. out,” he concluded. “The era was not as
“The award would be tri-Service, so easy as some now think.” Q

Contact Paul on Defence Connect
Ground Army Sergeant Major, WO1 Paul Carney,

view offers his take on Service life...
I
NTERNATIONAL commanders were
Women’s Day falls obviously polite, the
on March 8 and late-entry officers
the theme for this were welcoming but
year’s event is “inspire had their own club, the
inclusion”, which I subalterns were wary
think is a valuable of me as a sergeant
message for us all to major and the female
take on board. guests saw me as a
I’ve always been soldier, not a partner.

clear that diversity
makes the Army a
So for that short
period of time I got
She had
stronger team – having
different mindsets,
a small insight into
what it’s like to
to work
perspectives and
experiences within the
feel different and
segregated.
twice has WITH personnel deployed
on one of the biggest
particular we tend to
neglect is our respirators.
workforce creates a
more capable, effective
It may sound
comparatively minor –
hard to exercises in 40 years
– Exercise Steadfast
These are life-saving
bits of equipment and the
organisation.
But I think it’s useful
but that’s precisely the
point.
get to the Defender (page 7) – I’d
like to come back to the
CBRN threat in Eastern
Europe is still very real.
to reflect on what we
as individuals can do
Most of the time,
men are in the
same place topic of readiness.
I’ve previously talked
So I’d like everyone
to get theirs out, check
to drive that forward.
My wife served 23
majority, so the
occasions when we
I did about the importance of
keeping yourself and your
them and make sure they
are within the correct
years and I was taken find ourselves in the family prepared, however parameters.
aback by some of the minority are few and it’s just as vital to stay on We all hope we never
attitudes she had to far between. top of your individual kit. need them for real, but
deal with, both as a We’ll never It’s something people if that day comes it will
soldier and officer. genuinely understand often leave until the last be critical that they’re in
I’m the first to admit what it’s like, but we minute and one item in good working order.
I became a better can be out there, as
soldier by meeting men, being curious.
her and marrying her,
but I also had my eyes
opened to how she
International
Women’s Day allows
you to do that and ask
TIME WILL TELL ON NEW HOUSING RULES
QTHE new accommodation offer is being There are presentations and workshops
had to work twice those questions. rolled out this month (page 15) and I happening to help troops and their families
as hard through her And I hope our understand there is concern among some understand the new system – go and find one
career to get to the female colleagues personnel about things such as entitlement, taking place near you.
same place I did. feel able to open availability and increased costs. I don’t want soldiers or officers to be out
For all the progress themselves up and My message is that we need to let this play of money or uncomfortable; I want them to
we’ve made, we need forgive what might out and avoid scaremongering. I want people feel they’re getting the package they deserve.
to keep in mind that sometimes come to read up on it and inform themselves. There will be challenges but, overall, I think
we still work in a across as quite clumsy this will offer people more choice and be a
predominantly male questions. Education good thing for many.
environment. and personal
In my whole time in development is the
the Service, I’ve only only way we’ll get
felt like a minority better.
once – when I went to Servicewomen
my wife’s mess. contribute just as
She was the only much as men do to the
woman, which meant Army – let’s recognise
Picture: Steve Dock
I was the only male that and be good

guest. allies to build the best
The battery teams.

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A girl’s
KNOW
WOMEN’S WELLNESS: NUTRITION | HEALTH | FITNESS | 7 QUESTIONS
gotta
eat...
What a healthy day’s scoff
looks like for the female of
the species
p
GOOD nutrition isn’t just about

achie
achieving personal bests. It is
ffundamental
fu nd to military capability –
and therefore even a matter of life or
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outperform the enemy on future ops,
tthhe need to be mindful of the fact
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ttheir
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Here, we give a rundown of what
itt llo
ook like for females – including
looks
the proportion
proporti of fruit and veg, starchy
foods and protein they should aim to
consume ea each day.
NUTRITION
EVERYDAY
PLATE
Ideal for: Desk jobs, weight
management, Reservists who aren’t
MORE
mobilised
Energy need:
2,200 kcal/day
THINGS
(2,000 for low activity)
IRON
Women aged 19-50 have higher
requirements than men. This
is because their periods can use
up reserves, especially with heavy
ACTIVE periods. It is thought more than

a quarter of women may have
SERVICE inadequate intakes, increasing their

risk of anaemia (symptoms of which
PLATE include tiredness and lack of energy).

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Energy need:
2,800kcal/day
CALCIUM
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MILITARY
important for females because they
are at higher risk of osteoporosis
TRAINING
(fragile bones) as they get older.
Around 1 in 10 adult women have
PLATE
intakes which are likely to be
inadequate. Try to consume at
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and trade), PDT, personnel on LQJUHHQOHDI\YHJHWDEOHVGDLU\
exercise and operations DOWHUQDWLYHVDQGEUHDG
Energy need: VITAMIN D

3,100-3,500kcal/day This helps regulate the amount of
calcium and phosphate in the body.
Government advice is that everyone
should consider taking a 10 microgram
+
Fruit, nuts, seeds, low-fat dairy and cereal bars all make good
daily vitamin D supplement during the
autumn and winter.
snacks whatever your level of activity
+
Drink at least two litres of water per day
OFor more information search for
the Defence Nutrition
Advisory Service online

HEALTH
Testing
contraceptive pill. Military and civilian
volunteers are welcome. Anyone
interested can get in touch with me via
sarah.myers105@mod.gov.uk to discuss
times
eligibility and ask questions. The more
volunteers we get, the more relevant the
results become.
Do volunteers get paid?

They receive up to £296.82 if they are
in the non-contraceptive group, and
£226.44 in the contraceptive group,
as compensation for time. Volunteers
are paid differently due to differences in
the number of tests. There are no travel
Could the contraceptive pill be expenses, but support may be available

from units. If volunteers withdraw from
impacting your performance? Army the study, they are paid pro rata.
scientists are trying to find out – and

they need YOUR help
THE female body has long been the influence of oestrogen on muscle and
overlooked by medical research. bone health.
Did you know, for example, that
women are less likely than men How are you doing it?
to have their pain treated or their We are testing muscle strength and
symptoms taken seriously? bone density alongside blood and
This is probably because their urine samples to assess the levels of
bodies have been missing from many oestrogen against their performance.
clinical trials over the years. Volunteers attend our lab at the Royal
But with the government wanting Military Academy Sandhurst between
females to account for 30 per cent of two and five times. On each visit
all new recruits by 2030, data on their they provide a blood sample, a urine
health has never been more important sample and have a measurement of
to the Army. muscle and tendon properties taken
Enter the Health and Performance in their leg. On the first visit they
Research Team in Army HQ, who complete several questionnaires
are conducting their very own study relating to lifestyle, diet and
into the impact of the menstrual menstrual history. On the other
cycle and hormone contraceptives on occasions they complete a number
Servicewomen’s bones and muscles. of lab tests that relate to bone and
Research technician Sarah Myers muscle function.
tells us more…
What help do you need?
Why is the Army looking A crucial part of this research
at this? is the wonderful volunteers
To help inform the contraceptive choices – military and civilian – who
of Servicewomen. This research is vital have already taken part.
to understanding how the birth control We are looking for more,
that many use for years are affecting though, aged 18-40, who
musculoskeletal health. It’s important are either not using any
to know how performance may be hormonal contraceptives
impacted in the field. But this is relevant or are using the hormonal
to all women because we just don’t know implant, injection, hormonal
coil or combined oral

FITNESS
Strong effort
Marathon kicks off medic’s bid to
smash trio of physical challenges
NEXT month Cpl Milly Williams SEPTEMBER
Ƶ
(RAMC) will take on the London
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PCA Bodybuilding
goals she set herself for 2024. and Fitness
Back in January, the 26-year-old Federation
wrote her objectives on a bottle of competition
champagne and if all goes to plan, by ,GLGWKLVDIHZ\HDUVDJRDQGcame
October she’ll be able to pop the cork second. Since then I’ve focused on
and toast her own success. SXWWLQJRQDELWPRUHPXVFOH
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muscle group you’re training.
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when I’m 70, I’d rather
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of all the things I’ve
DQGULFHśEXWDKHDGRIORQJHUUXQV,XSWKH VKRUWHUGLVWDQFHVXQOLNHWKHPDUDWKRQZKLFK achieved than having
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Name: Cpl Milly Williams

Age: 26
Military career: Joined the
Royal Army Medical Corps in 2016.
Currently serving at Defence Medical
Pictures: Shutterstock; Jules Godfrey Photography
Services Whittington
Follow the QR code

to help her reach
her £3,000 goal in
aid of ABF

Feeling HEADACHES
off form DRIER, THIN HAIR
ladies? HEART PALPITATIONS
Clues that your oestrogen levels RECURRENT UTIS

may be dropping – and what to
do about it
CHANGING BODY SHAPE

OR WEIGHT GAIN
PERIMENOPAUSE
HAVE your periods changed recently? Are you feeling a
bit low? Memory problems? Dry eyes? Aches and pains?
SYMPTOMS
With busy military lives, it can be easy for Servicewomen
to overlook health niggles such as these.
But did you know they are all possible symptoms of the TYPICALLY, THE FIRST SIGN IS
perimenopause – a time of life before the menopause when A CHANGE TO THE DURATION,
IHPDOHRHVWURJHQOHYHOVEHJLQWRWDLORƬ" FREQUENCY OR FLOW OF
This can happen years before the menopause itself, YOUR PERIODS
DƬHFWLQJPDQ\ZRPHQLQWKHLUWKLUWLHVDQGHDUO\IRUWLHV
And it can cause huge disruption because, as well as
regulating periods, oestrogen is used to keep the brain and
body in good working order.
Here are some signs that your hormone levels might be
depleted… and what to do next if you are concerned.

HEALTH
LOW MOOD, ANXIETY WHAT NEXT?

MEMORY PROBLEMS, BRAIN FOG Speak to your GP if you
think you are displaying
perimenopause symptoms.
Getting advice early can help to
reduce the impact.
MIGRAINES
Take a list of your most troublesome
DRY MOUTH symptoms and don’t be afraid to ask
for a double appointment.
During the chat you should expect
to discuss the menopause stages,
FATIGUE OR DISTURBED SLEEP
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lifestyle changes that could help and
the impact of menopause on your
long-term health.
For most women, hormone
POOR CONCENTRATION
replacement therapy (HRT) vastly
HOT FLASHES LPSURYHVV\PSWRPVDQGFDQRƬHUD
new lease of life.
It can be started during the
perimenopause and menopause –
and the earlier it is taken, the sooner
DRY, ITCHY it works to improve symptoms. It
can also help to protect against the
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including cardiovascular disease,
osteoporosis, diabetes and dementia.
,I\RXIHHO\RXZRXOGEHQHƮWIURP
HRT and your healthcare professional
refuses to prescribe it, ask if that
decision is being made in line with
current menopause guidelines.
Ask questions and don’t be afraid
to challenge treatment decisions or
get a second opinion. It is important it
MUSCLE AND JOINT PAIN is a two-way discussion.
OR STIFFNESS
OFor more support check out

the British Menopause Society
ITCHY, DRY SKIN (thebms.org.uk) or The Doctor
Louise Newson Podcast
IN NUMBERS
45
Age perimenopau
most women. Fo se starts for Information taken from
r many it is much Preparing for the
younger, though
Perimenopause and
51
Menopause by Dr
Louise Newson
Average age of
menopause in th
e
UK
7 QUESTIONS
Back with a
BANG
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Services Alpine ski
1 What is your background
in skiing?
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20 years ago, Maj Tess Pirie (RAMC) saw
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love being on devices. The main practical modules are still delivered in person but the
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RMY nurse Cpl Ash Brown (QARANC) swapped
his cannula for a camera during a recent training
stint on Salisbury Plain.
Alongside his challenging day job in critical
care, the enthusiastic amateur stashed his photo
kit in his back pocket to capture highlights of
Exercise Winged Serpent.
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The result is a colourful ground view of the stern tests that

Pictures: Ash Brown (QARANC)
16 Medical Regiment personnel faced in readiness for future

operations with 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team.
Surgeons, dentists, biomedical scientists and combat medical
technicians were all put through their paces in the now almost-
routine training scenario of a short-notice call to support an ally
invaded by a hostile neighbour.
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Report: Sarah Goldthorpe
toothache to catastrophic blast injuries – with

checks of their communications, supply
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in for good measure.
Having supported the 2021 Kabul evacuation
on Op Pitting and last year’s Turkey
earthquake relief, these soldiers understand
how fast the next call can come.
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YUGOSLAV
FLASHBACK
BACK in 1999 – with the shockwaves of
the Soviet Union’s collapse still being
felt – the Balkans area of southern
Europe had become a tinder box.
With the established Cold War world
rs of the old order began to
gone, states once held together by leaders
break up.
As civil wars raged, peacekeeping ops throughout the former Yugoslavia –
notably in Bosnia – were standard fare.
But with Slobodan Milosevic seemingly determined to hold onto Kosovo at
WKHEDUUHORIDJXQDIXOORQZDUƮJKWLQJFDPSDLJQEHFDPHDUHDOSRVVLELOLW\IRU
troops massing with the Nato alliance in neighbouring Macedonia.
:HDVNHGWZRVROGLHUVZKRZHUHWKHUHLQIRUWKHLUUHưHFWLRQVŦ
WO1 Paul Carney Maj Tony McGrane

-RLQHGXS1997 -RLQHGXS1993
1RZArmy Sergeant Major 1RZCompany OC, ITC Catterick
7KHQSapper, 21 Engineer Regt 7KHQCorporal, 1 Para
I remember us all talking among In terms of the operation in Kosovo,

ourselves – we couldn’t quite believe we we had learnt a lot from our tenure in
were going on the Kosovo deployment. It Northern Ireland – we applied these
was an exciting time for us as soldiers. lessons to how we covered ground on
/LYLQJRƬDYHKLFOHGD\WRGD\ZDV arrival in Pristina.
something I had to learn to do on arrival ,WZDVKDUGZRUNśZHZHUHGRLQJ
in Skopje, Macedonia. There was every hour days at one point.
type of weather imaginable – snow, hail, Your skills develop quickly on a IN NUMBERS
you name it – so personal admin was
very important.
deployment – even down to looking after
your personal kit and equipment.
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IURPGLƬHUHQWQDWLRQVIRUWKHƮUVWWLPH the rest of the Nato troops, who came in
NATO PERSONNEL
and all the British Army’s kit including on a road move from Macedonia, and IN THEATRE
AS90 and Challenger 2, relatively new in set up operations in the basement of a
27 STATES
service back then. building in the city.
You learn a lot from being on It struck us that the civilians did not
deployment – when the air campaign have much – we lent a hand where we INVOLVED
HQGHGDQGZHƮQDOO\DUULYHGLQ.RVRYR could and our job was to assist and
I quickly found out that building strong protect everyone there, Serbs as well as
relationships with the local population Albanians.
on that type of operation is critical. Some lads went out of their way and
parted with their
own money to help.

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HE hail of bricks and stones becomes “The pressure on personnel is huge in riot
T
relentless and British Army troops situations so what we’re putting them through
react by forming small groups and is vital,” explains WO2 Cas Castell (Para), one
pressing their shields together into of the instructors on the two-week package.
protective box formations. “In a heated confrontation, where there is a
They advance at a steady pace, lot going on, you need to meet force with force,
pushing through the protestors’ but it has to be in a controlled manner.
barricade of car tyres and rubble. “We often refer to this as bringing order to
A dozen baton-wielding personnel public disorder.
then break out and force the angry “That’s what we are really focusing on
mob back down the road into a contained area, here; the fundamentals of using controlled
while colleagues form up to support them and aggression to reinstall discipline in the crowd.
secure the ground behind. “You’re always going to be outnumbered in
Many of these tactics were developed by a riot and the atmosphere is highly volatile
Roman legions more than 2,000 years ago. – the platoon commander has a massive
And soldiers could soon be employing them to responsibility as one wrong word or action can
quash hostilities with similar age-old roots. result in the situation escalating.
A mixture of Reservists and Regulars “Discipline is essential across the teams
carrying out public order drills at the too, because even if one of them doesn’t react
Mission Ready Training Centre (MRTC) in FRUUHFWO\LWFDQEHWKHGLƬHUHQFHEHWZHHQ
Bassingbourn are preparing for deployment on successfully dispersing the crowd or having
Operation Tosca, the UK’s contribution to the petrol bombs thrown at you.”
8QLWHG1DWLRQVSHDFHNHHSLQJHƬRUWLQ&\SUXV
It is a country that has been torn apart by the Learning curve
ancient and deep-seated rivalry between the With real riots and skirmishes potentially
Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities for lying in wait for these soldiers, the need to get
control of the island. everyone up to speed on some well-established
7HQVLRQVHVFDODWHGLQWRIXOOEORZQFRQưLFWLQ tactics is paramount.
1974, when the Turkish Army invaded and the However, the learning curve is steeper for
island was partitioned into two areas, North some than others.
and South. Of the 220 troops about to deploy, around
two thirds will come from 16 Air Assault
Violent outbreaks Brigade Combat Team – the majority with
$EXƬHU]RQHFRQWUROOHGE\WKH81UXQV the Reserve’s 4th Battalion, The Parachute
roughly across the island’s centre, but the Regiment – and many conduct public order
situation is complex as there are crossing training as part of their high-readiness duties.
points for work and trade, a few small villages “Unlike some here we’ve done these types
and farms and illegal encroachments into this of physical drills before,” says Reservist LCpl
neutral area by developers from both sides. Mike Kennedy (Para). “But we still have a lot to
All of this can, and does, lead to regular OHDUQVSHFLƮFDOO\DERXWKRZWKH81RSHUDWHV
outbreaks of violence. DQGZKDWLWH[SHFWVRIXVSOXVVSHFLƮFWUDLQLQJ
Approximately 1,000 incidents occur in for the Tosca environment.
and around this area each year, according “The classroom sessions have been intense.”
One wrong to the UN, ranging from gang brawls and
demonstrations of various sizes to the
Other Reservists on the deployment come
mainly from the Royal Army Medical Corps
word or action XQDXWKRULVHGXVHRIƮUHDUPV

British troops are required to patrol the
central segment known as Sector Two,
and Honourable Artillery Company – while
they will be joined by Regulars from the likes
of The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers, Royal
can result in covering the large city of Nicosia.

Top-notch public order skills are required,
so at Bassingbourn a rough approximation of
Artillery, and 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment,
some of whom have never trained in this
discipline.
the situation a narrow city street has been created from Iso
containers placed across a Second World War
runway and painted to look like buildings.
Š7KLVLVDFWXDOO\P\ƮUVWRSDQG,ŞP
completely new to public order training,” says
Spr Ujjwal Karki (QGE).
escalating 6XSHUƮFLDOO\LWORRNVFUXGH%XWLWGRHVZKDW
it needs to do by producing the constricted
“We know we must be prepared for handling
demonstrations as they might happen out there
spaces, points of congestion and eery echoes at any time, and you have to react properly.
that magnify the sense of threat stemming Š,ŞYHIRXQGWKHSK\VLFDOVLGHRIWKLVƮQHś
from even relatively small demonstrations. we are part of 16 Air Assault Brigade so we kk

kk do a lot of combat training – but the mental “People have been land grabbing in the
challenges stemming from working in heavy demilitarised zone for a while so there will
suits and big masks while having to adapt to probably be work to do there,” he adds.
an unpredictable threat has been a big hurdle “This two-week exercise will give these
to overcome.” boys and girls the skills to deal with anything
WKDWNLFNVRƬ$WWKHHQGRIWKLVWKHUHLVDQ
Taking the kicks DVVHVVPHQWDIWHUZKLFKWKH\ŞOOEHVLJQHGRƬ
Gnr Maisie Stack (RA), a drone specialist with by MRTC as competent to deploy and conduct
32 Regiment deploying in a female searcher public order duties.”
role, also found the drills daunting initially. He continues: “We cover the basics up to
Š,WŞVWKHƮUVWWLPH,ŞYHGRQHWKLVDQGRYHUDOO advanced techniques.
it’s been tough but very satisfying to get “Commanders receive lots of education
through,” she explains. about crowd psychology and how to negotiate
“We’ve been taught procedures to deal with with warring factions.
GLƬHUHQWVFHQDULRVDQGWRNQRZZKDWRXUUROH “And all the troops have to learn about the
within the squad is. legalities involved, what they can and can’t do.
“Physically, I’ve found it exhausting as “For instance, when using your baton you
the kit is heavy and you are getting battered can hit a protester’s arm between the shoulder
constantly. As the smallest person here, taking and elbow but you can’t hit the head – unless
the kicks has been tough. the situation is life-threatening.
Š0HQWDOO\LWZDVFKDOOHQJLQJDWƮUVWDVZHOO “We have to remember we are ambassadors
You can’t get too wrapped up in the emotion of IRUWKH81ZHŞUHư\LQJDVHFRQGưDJVRWR
WKHVLWXDWLRQ\RXKDYHWREHVWDQGRƱVKDQG speak, so we have to get everything right.
focus on the job. “The press are likely to arrive quickly if there
“The drills we’ve been going through are is a skirmish, and everyone has a smartphone
designed to desensitise us to the intimidation nowadays and can record what your actions
of having people charge and attack you and I are and that could be used to turn public
really think they’ve achieved that.” opinion against you.”
Anyone doubting the need for such intense WO2 Chris Matthews (Para), a permanent
preparations need only recall events from VWDƬLQVWUXFWRUDWWDFKHGWR3DUDZKRLVDOVR
1996 when a Greek Cypriot was beaten to deploying to Cyprus next month, echoed his
death by Turkish nationalists during a large colleague’s views.
demonstration march. “These personnel are receiving some vital
Days later his cousin was shot dead by a sessions from the military police here and
Northern Cyprus government minister after WKH\ŞOODOVRJHWPRUHOHJDOEULHƮQJVRQFHWKH\
HQWHULQJWKHEXƬHU]RQHWROD\DZUHDWK get out to theatre.
That murder sparked more demonstrations “We’ve heard that the antagonists in both
and two British soldiers from 39 Regiment, the Greek and Turkish communities know
Royal Artillery were shot and wounded by when the handovers occur and often test the
Turkish forces. water, so we need to be aware of that and be on
And only last August two Household Cavalry RXUJDPHIURPWKHRƬ
personnel and one Slovak soldier serving “I was on Op Pitting so I’ve found out how
as peacekeepers were taken to hospital after valuable this training is when it’s called upon.
being attacked by Turkish Cypriots. “We had to hold back crowds of desperate
Their injuries included head wounds and people – we were probably outnumbered by
We have to a broken ankle after they tried to prevent the

construction of an unauthorised road from
the Turkish side of the island to the mixed
thousands to one.
“They wanted their papers processed to
get out of Kabul, people were panicking but
remember community village of Pyla, which lies inside

WKHEXƬHU]RQH
we had to calm them down and inspect their
paperwork at the same time – there were lots of
forgeries being presented – before letting them
we are Spark points

7KH81ŞVHƬRUWVWREORFNWKDWFRQVWUXFWLRQ
project continues and is one of the potential
through, or not.
“Public order duties like that test everything
– communications, command and control,
ambassadors spark points for more trouble during the next
Tosca tour, says WO2 Matt Cooper (Para), an
awareness and teamwork – in the most
stressful of circumstances, which is why
for the UN instructor overseeing the training package,

who will be deploying next month, too.
successfully passing this test is essential
before these personnel deploy.” Q

Older generation ‘willing to get hands dirty’
I
AM writing in because of the recent I have no background in the military
comments made by Chief of the but I believe there is plenty of energy out
General Staff, Gen Sir Patrick Sanders, there for helping to defend this country.
regarding potential ideas on conscription Maybe we should initially limit duties to a
in the future. small number of designated roles at first
I’d like to respond by saying that there so as not to alarm the population.
are plenty of people aged around 50 who,
although maybe not as physically fit as
This would allow these volunteers
to provide some valuable cover when
We could
the Army standard, are robust enough to
be able to learn some of the static support
skills that would be useful.
Regular and Reserve troops are deployed
on operations.
Maybe I’m over-thinking things but
learn some
I think the Service should assess the
possibility of launching special volunteer
I was annoyed to read the hordes of
negative attitudes on social media about
of the static
units in different areas across the UK.
These personnel would be trained up to
learn capabilities where running two miles
conscription. Imagine if we had 100 of
these support units spread across every
strategic area of the UK, ready to step in if
support
YOUR letters provide an
insight into the issues at the
in nine minutes isn’t necessary, such as
manning certain artillery, which requires
our Armed Forces become embroiled in a
major conflict.
skills
top of soldiers’ agendas... strength and stamina. It could certainly help with what looks
but please be brief. Emails Vehicle driving is another area where to be an enduring recruitment crisis.
must include your name and we could offer support. There may even Don’t be frightened to ask the not-so-
location (although we won’t be more complex disciplines like training older generation because many of us are
publish them if you ask us drone pilots where qualified civilian more than willing to get our hands dirty.
not to). We reserve the right to volunteers could use the skills they have I’m up for it. – David Keen (yes, that
accept or reject letters, and to from their day jobs or hobbies. really is my name), Bournemouth
edit for length, clarity or style.
Before you write to us with a
RTQDNGO[QWUJQWNFƓTUVJCXG
tried to get an answer via your
Gleneagles prize hits the mark
M
own chain of command. ANY thanks for a fantastic tea and biscuits, and got better from there.
weekend at Gleneagles – and The train journey flew by with a hot
mail@soldiermagazine.co.uk what a brilliant prize for winning lunch and a gin and tonic to wash it
your Christmas 2022 competition it turned down. The hotel was spectacular with
WHATSAPP 07973 614782 out to be. beautiful wood-panelled hallways and
It took some time for my wife and I to some stunning grounds to walk around.
find a suitable slot in our diaries to travel The whole set-up was exceptional and
to this legendary Scottish venue, but it we even had time for a dip in the pool and
was worth the wait. a session in the opulent steam room.
It started memorably in the first-class We’d love to go back – any more
lounge at King’s Cross with some superb similar comps? – Jim Kilbride, ex-Para

More letters please ‘Equality of opportunity is missing’
OTHE Army’s diversity and inclusion potential opportunity to do so and
OI WOULD like to suggest a web page says it embraces equality of there is, similarly, no right to serve
reinvigoration of the Talkback section. opportunity but in the Reserve officers can beyond this point.
Over the past 20 years it’s been the serve until they are 60 while other ranks The current mechanism that
first part of the magazine I looked for. can only serve until 55, with a maximum enables service beyond 55 or 60, via
Once upon a time it was page three-year extension as an option. OAE application, is a balance of risk
after page of humorous observations, Also, a pension is offered in the between operational effectiveness
gripes and concerns not all of us were Reserve and you can receive it and retaining skills and experience.
alive too. At a time when morale is immediately if you serve until 60 – but On the issue of Reserve pensions,
generally pretty low, a few more pages if you don’t you have to wait until state all serving members of the Regular
of Talkback this year would help us
smile a little more.
pension age.
Is this equality of opportunity?
and Reserve who have not opted
out are now members of the Armed You have
to wait
More opinions on beards (or no In your reply I would appreciate it if Forces pension scheme 2015 where
beards) and the long-term plans for you do not state “it says so in policy” those who leave the Service at age
flip flops Friday please! because as we all know policy once said 60 or over will be entitled to an
Keep up the good work. – WO2
Wes Meredith, RE
gay people could not serve in the Armed
Forces and if women got pregnant they
immediate pension.
If they leave before 60 they are until state
pension
had to leave. – Sgt Mick Healy, RLC entitled to a deferred pension paid
The managing editor replies: at state pension age – which is
Thanks for your note Wes, and Brig Adam Fraser-Hitchen, Head currently 67 or 68 depending on
let’s hope it serves as a clarion
call for more people to write in.
Unfortunately, the number of
Personnel Reserves, replies: Your
questions are particularly topical
given the Army’s increasing focus on
when they were born.
You can ask for your deferred
pension to be paid from 55, but the
age
letters we receive has dipped in the Reserve and its role reinforcing amount will be reduced as it will be
recent years, which we believe the Service at home and abroad. paid over a longer period.
is down to a combination of While we have obligations as Also, under the Reserve pension
soldiers using social media a public authority to eliminate scheme (RFPS) 05, pensions will be
forums that can provide almost discrimination under the Equality Act paid at 60 for those who serve until
immediate (but mostly unofficial) 2010, the schedule nine exemption this age. If you leave beforehand,
feedback; the poor distribution for age takes precedence. the funds are preserved and paid at
of hard copies in barracks; lack of This is justified and necessary age 65 – the state pension age when
awareness of our online edition for the Army as soldiers need to RFPS 05 was initially set up.
(it’s on the Army website, in the be combat effective to deploy.
Talkback in time
news and events section, and Additionally, age is a factor in
also on Defence Connect); and overall workforce planning and
– so we’ve heard – pressure on related policies that require
some personnel from superiors personnel to leave after a certain
not to whinge or ask for advice number of years ensure constant
from Army Headquarters through movement through the “promotion
–1988–
these pages. pyramid”. Without this, career
All I can ask is that you spread progression would slow and our
the word and remind everyone effectiveness would be undermined.
that Talkback is a resource troops While there are fit and capable
can use to contact the Army’s top troops who could serve beyond 55,
subject matter experts. many would not continue to meet
If you want to message us either the medical retention or
please use the channels below deployability requirements.
– and letters remain anonymous These are the same standards that
to the chain of command if the apply to Regulars who will normally
authors request it. be discharged on completion of a
VEng(short) (12 years) or VEng(long)
(24 years); this is nearly always well
GOT A before they reach 55 years of age.
A small minority are offered a
GRIPE? VEng(full) which is for 30 years
and could take them to the normal
retirement age of 60. When a
THEN WHY NOT Service need exists, an extension of
GET IT usually three years may be offered
OFF YOUR CHEST? which is akin to a Reserve over age
mail@soldiermagazine.co.uk
extension (OAE).
ANY
A NY VEGGI
VE
VEGGIES
GGI
G ES
ES OUT THERE?
THERE
THERE
ERE?? A re
reader
ader
ade
d r
For both officers and soldiers laments the lack of meat-free
la
WHATSAPP 07973 614782 there is no right or guarantee to o
options in Soldier’s letters section
3
36 years ago this month
serve to retirement age, just the

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correspondence will be entered into. Soldier is Joining Forces Credit Union
compliant with the Data Protection Act. We will not Army Welfare Service Saving and affordable loans for the
pass your details to a third party without your prior
consent. Automated entries, bulk entries or third-
party entries will be disqualified. Competitions are
WELFARE Contact directly via rc-aws-iat-
0mailbox@mod.gov.uk or
Armed Forces community from
not-for-profit financial cooperatives
01904 882051/2053 joiningforcescu.co.uk
not open to Soldier employees, competition sponsors If you have a problem, your chain of
or anyone else connected with the competition, or Money Helper
command and unit welfare teams ALCOHOL AND SMOKING
the immediate families or agents of the foregoing. Government-backed money and
are a good starting point. They may also If you are concerned about someone
We have the right to verify the eligibility and pensions guidance with a wealth of
be able to help you find local support else’s health or your own you can get
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and agree that neither Soldier or any competition
groups not listed below. Padres can confidential, free advice from your
moneyhelper.org.uk
sponsor(s) or any of their employees, agents or provide individuals with pastoral care medical officer during routine hours,
subcontractors shall have any liability whatsoever in and moral guidance, whatever their or your unit duty officer. National Debtline
connection with the winner’s use and/or possession faith. Here are some other national A charity that can talk through your
Drinkline
of the prize. organisations that can offer help: options and help you take back control
A free, confidential helpline
0808 808 4000
0300 123 1110
nationaldebtline.org
NHS support
StepChange Debt Charity
nhs.uk/livewell
Advertise in Soldier
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free, confidential advice
BULLYING/HARASSMENT/
0800 138 1111
DISCRIMINATION
stepchange.org.uk
Army Mediation Service
0306 770 7691 or mil 96770 7691
GAMBLING
army-mediation-0mailbox@mod.
National Gambling Helpline
gov.uk
Free information, support and
Army Speak Out Helpline counselling for problem gamblers in
0306 770 4656 or the UK
mil 96770 4656 0808 8020 133
army-speakout@mod.gov.uk
GRIEF
Defence BHD Helpline
Cruse Bereavement Support
Confidential, freephone and outside
0808 808 1677
the chain of command
0800 014 2381 SSAFA support groups
People who have been through
CHILDCARE/CARING/FAMILIES a similar tragedy, giving you the
Army Families Federation opportunity to talk though your
The independent voice of Army emotions with an understanding group
families, offering confidential advice supportgroups@ssafa.org.uk
and support
01264 554004 HOUSING
aff.org.uk Joint Service Housing
Advice Office
Flexible working has been
The MoD’s tri-Service focal point to
introduced by the Army to help
provide Armed Forces personnel and
personnel tailor their work-life
their dependants with civilian housing
balance. This includes arrangements
information
such as remote working, variable

07814 612120 about your local service, speak to 116 123 samaritans.org Combat Stress 24/7 Helpline
rc-pers-jshao-0mailbox@mod. your unit welfare team, search for 0800 138 1619
The Royal British Legion
gov.uk Army Recovery Capability on Defence
Contact the friendly team for Headspace
Connect or send an email to
Single Persons Accommodation information about local groups and All British Army personnel and
rc-pers-arc-0mailbox@mod.gov.
Centre for the Ex-Services support services civil servants can access this
uk
01748 833797 0808 802 8080 mindfulness app for free with an
spaces.org.uk britishlegion.org.uk @armymail.mod.uk email address
LONELINESS
Veterans Gateway work.headspace.com/britisharmy
Armed Forces and Veterans
A first point of contact for veterans MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS /member-enroll
Breakfast Clubs
seeking support There’s always someone you can talk
A network of clubs to enjoy Mind – The Mental
veteransgateway.org.uk to. Speak to your friends or family,
breakfast and banter, while combating Health Charity
boss or padre, unit welfare staff
social isolation afvbc.net 0300 123 3393
INJURY/SICKNESS (details above), medical officer or GP.
mind.org
Personnel Recovery Centres Samaritans There are a number of charities and
These centres can be found across Someone to talk to, night or day, other organisations that can also
the United Kingdom. To find out more for free and without judgement provide support and they include: > continued overleaf
HOW OBSERVANT ARE YOU?

TEN details have been changed a Bard 2.1 Bluetooth internet
in this picture of The King’s radio music system, courtesy of
Troop, Royal Horse Artillery Majority (majority.co.uk).
during their annual inspection This slick piece of kit, worth
No. 982 by Maj Gen James Bowder,
General Officer Commanding
more than £150, allows its
users to explore thousands of
The Household Division. different stations across the
...an internet Circle all the differences on

the left image and send the
panel to HOAY 982, Soldier,
Ordnance Barracks, Government
globe plus the very best of
DAB+ and FM radio.
After a daily station fix,
music fans can access their own
radio
Road, Aldershot, Hampshire listings via Spotify Connect or
GU11 2DU along with your the built-in podcast player.
contact details – including email The Bard also boasts an
address – by March 29. internal subwoofer, helping to
music
A photocopy is also deliver a beautifully clear and
acceptable but only one entry crisp bass – whether at the
per person may be submitted. start of the day via dual alarm,
Alternatively, email a or late into the evening for
photograph of the image night owls.
system
highlighting the differences to The winner’s name will
comps@soldiermagazine. appear in the May 2024 issue
co.uk and all the usual competition
The first correct entry drawn rules apply (see details on the
after the closing date will win opposite page).

BULLET POINTS Bite-sized data to keep you in the know
might have and give yourself time to OCompTIA A+
> continued from page 53
NHS
RESETTLEMENT mitigate against these through some
vocational training or a civilian work
OCompTIA Network+ and Security+
General mental health support attachment. The CTP can advise and OCompTIA Cyber Security Analyst
Last year the Career Transition
nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind- offer a wide range of qualifications
Partnership (CTP) supported more OStrategic Finance for Non-Financial
matters and experience for you to add to
than 310,000 Service leavers in its Managers
your already considerable bank of
Op Courage 25 years as the official provider of
transferable skills. OExecutive Mini MBA
A specialist NHS service for Armed Armed Forces resettlement. Regardless
Forces leavers, Reservists, veterans and of service, time served or reason for 5. Explore and promote your ODirector Development Programme
their families. Search for “Op Courage” leaving, all members of the Armed brand. Who are you beyond the
OQMS ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor
on nhs.uk to find your local team. Forces can benefit from CTP support. uniform? How are you going to let the
Level 3
Here are six top tips to ensure you world know you exist? The CTP will
Samaritans
make a smooth transition to civvy street: work with you to develop and hone OLevel 5 Certificate in Service
116 123 samaritans.org
your CV and LinkedIn profile to ensure Improvement (Lean Six Sigma – Green
1. Prepare yourself and get engaged
The Ripple Pond you make a good first impression. Belt)
early. Too often the CTP hears from
A self-help support network for
workshop attendees who wished they’d 6. Perform well in interviews by OAPMG Change Management
relatives of physically or psychologically
started sooner. Remember, regardless of practising with friends, family, your
injured troops and veterans OManagement of Risk
your reason for leaving, you’re entitled network and online digital tools. Let
0333 900 1028 theripplepond.org
to CTP support – embrace it. the CTP support you so you land the OIWFM L4 Certificate in Facilities
Togetherall right outcome at the right time. Management
2. Make a plan. Confirm your
A safe, online community where people
timelines, set yourself “smart” goals OCIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in
support each other anonymously Where to start with
(specific, measurable, achievable, People Management
togetherall.com resettlement
relevant and time-based), and identify
OFirst Aid at Work Level 3 Award
what path you want to pursue. CTP – Speak with your local unit
RELATIONSHIP
career consultants can help you on a resettlement information staff, who can OManaging Safely (IOSH)
BREAKDOWN/ABUSE
one-to-one basis to ensure you find offer advice on your entitlement.
Aurora New Dawn ONEBOSH National General
the right option.
Safety for survivors of domestic abuse, – Contact your Service resettlement Certificate (SQA Level 6)
sexual violence, stalking 3. Avoid making snap decisions. adviser (SRA) to discuss your
ONEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety
02394 216 816 aurorand.org.uk Instead, research the sector you resettlement package and available
want to work in and people to talk funding. You can find their details on ONEBOSH Health & Safety
ManKind to. The CTP team can support you ctp.org.uk/contact-us/sra-contact Management for Construction
Support for male domestic abuse victims by introducing you to a wide range
– Register with the CTP via JPA and Information about all training courses
01823 334244 mankind.org.uk of employers and providing detailed
one of the team will contact you to can be found on ctp.org.uk and
guides on various sectors as well as an
book your first appointment. troops can attend any of the below
Relate ongoing supply of vacancies.
employment fairs in 2024 across the
Relationship support relate.org.uk
4. Identify what skills gaps you CTP TRAINING COURSES 2023/24 UK. Book via ctpevents@ctp.org.uk
O LCL L3 Certificate in Refrigeration,
WHAT’S ON AT MILITARY MUSEUMS Air Conditioning & Heat Pump Systems
ODomestic Electrical Installation
Imperial War Museum London Full Scope
The atrocities of the Holocaust are the focus of an IWM Institute masterclass
O18th Edition Wiring Regulations
on March 17, hosted by leading academics. The event costs £78 with a
discount for museum members. iwm.org.uk OC&G 2391-52 Level 3 Award in
Inspection and Testing
Imperial War Museum North
Northern Ireland: Living with The Troubles runs from March 22 until the OC&G 2391-52 Inspection &
end of September. The exhibition shines a light on the 38-year Op Banner Testing Resit
deployment, while looking to the future. iwm.org.uk
OEAL L3 Certificate in Traction
Army Flying Museum and Rolling Stock Systems
The Army Air Corps’ role during the Bosnian civil war three decades ago OEAL L3 Award in Programmable
will be the focus of a talk by former Gazelle pilot John Greenacre on the Logic Controllers
evening of March 18. An online pass is available for those unable to attend
in person. armyflying.com OIMI L3 Certificate in Cycle
Maintenance
National Army Museum
A veteran quartet from the Women’s Royal Army Corps will be talking about OHard Landscaping and Bricklaying CTP provides support for up to two
their lives in uniform on the evening of March 15 – held to mark the 75th years post-discharge, during which
OPlastering
anniversary of the WRAC’s formation. nam.ac.uk time troops can access its full suite
OPlumbing of support. After two years, you have
Norfolk Tank Museum life-long employment support through
Fans of military vehicles are gearing up for Armourfest, a two-day festival OProperty Maintenance
the Forces Employment Charity
on August 17-18. Find out more at norfolktankmuseum.co.uk OCisco Certified Network Associate (forcesemployment.org.uk).

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reviews@soldiermagazine.co.uk
close that they could actually see the eyes of the virtual action on special screens to immerse them
PICK OF THE MONTH enemy pilots.
“Unlike fighting with the infantry – for
in the battle.
The first few episodes of Masters of the Air had
Masters of the Air

example – this was also a form of warfare in already been broadcast as this issue went to press.
which there was no cover,” he continued. “Men And Soldier can testify that the series maintains the
were effectively trapped in vulnerable aluminium integrity of Miller’s excellent work – refusing to shy
cylinders of altitudes up to four miles high and away from the brutality of the era, nor its impact on
Exclusive: Soldier speaks to the they had to remain on their course without taking the military personnel or civilians involved.
author – and consultant – behind evasive manoeuvres.” Production values are sound, with solid acting
a new drama on the European Maintaining a decent defence required bomber throughout and action sequences that provide
air war pilots to fly in close formation, relying on the cover an insight into the pace of the fighting. The book
of one another’s machine guns. Stragglers were charts several facets of the battle, including the
kIT WAS one of the most brutal and bloody easy prey and long-range escort fighters were experiences of crews taken prisoner, so it will be
campaigns of the Second World War – and ultimately needed as losses mounted. interesting to see how they translate to the screen.
fought in broad daylight across the skies over Crews also had to deal with an unforgiving In the end, the US crews prevailed in a campaign
Western Europe. battlespace. Operating in the rarefied stratosphere that helped destroy the Nazi war machine while
The titanic clash involved two superpowers at 30,000ft, oxygen was a basic requirement for having a pivotal role in smashing the relentless
– the United States Eighth Air Force, which was survival. And with temperatures plunging to minus Luftwaffe defenders.
aiming a daytime blow on the Nazis by using 40 Centigrade in unpressurised aircraft, frostbite “German industry was destroyed over time
UK-based bombers, and the defending, battle- and other cold weather injuries were common. – it was like a death by a thousand cuts,” Miller
hardened pilots of the German Luftwaffe. Giving first aid to anyone who was wounded concluded. “But a lot of lives were lost, and others
American military planners were testing a presented its own challenges. changed forever. I hope that we can tell the story
theory that strategic attacks – using the likes The prognosis was grim. During the early stages behind the people of this era” Q
of the B-17 Flying Fortress mated to precision of the campaign in 1943, American losses were so
sighting systems – could hit the enemy’s ability great that just a quarter of crews could expect to OMasters of the Air is available
to wage war by destroying targets such as finish a 25-mission tour. Huge attrition rates were for streaming on Apple TV+
factories and railyards. But it ultimately resulted also being suffered by Royal Air Force Bomber
in a battle of attrition that left thousands dead Command colleagues, attacking cities at night.
while laying waste to vast European cityscapes. Miller admitted to being astonished that
Now the human story behind the battle is the Allied personnel continued to fly despite the near
focus of the new Apple TV+ miniseries Masters certainty of death, serious injury or capture by the
of the Air, from the same Tom Hanks and enemy. “I always wondered how anyone can hold
Steven Spielberg-led stable behind Band of up under that type of extreme stress,” he added.
Brothers and The Pacific. Charting the fate of US “But, ultimately, guys prevail for all the other guys
crews on the aerial front line, it pulls no punches around them – so they continued to get on the
in showing the conditions they endured as they planes and fly the missions.
tangled with wave-upon-wave of determined “As we focused on real people in the series,
German attackers as well as accurate and it was important for us as a team to make sure
murderous fire from the ground. that all the facts were correct and the story was
“This was not a remote form of combat by any complete to the best of our ability – that we did
means,” said Donald Miller – professor of history not ‘Hollywoodise’ it, so to speak.”
at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania who wrote With accuracy crucial, Miller also pointed out
the book of the same name on which the series that movie prop specialists had built replica B-17
is based and was closely involved with the show. aircraft to use in the filming on the ground. Air
“Several witnesses on the bombers told me combat scenes were shot using CGI tech– with INTERVIEW: CLIFF CASWELL, SOLDIER
that the Luftwaffe fighters would come in so actors playing crew members seeing real-time,

MOVIES

MORE TOP PICKS
GAMES
Hitman: Blood Money – Reprisal
Out now for Switch
kSTEALTH games once again seem to be proving all the rage with a new
generation of players thanks to a string of releases on Nintendo’s hybrid console.
Last year brought remixed and remastered versions of the 1990s Metal Gear
Solid classics. And now the ever-popular anti-hero Agent 47 reprises his role in
Hitman with another chapter of assassination and retribution.
Blood Money – Reprisal is an overhauled version of a 2006 title in which
players assume the role of the iconic suited-and-booted, shaven-headed killer
responsible for carrying out operations against bad guys around the world.
The hitman is a nasty piece of work, but his foes are worse and players are
responsible for manipulating the environment, assuming disguises and acquiring
weaponry to carry out contracts against murderous criminal kingpins.
This Switch version, while showing the age of the underpinning game, is still a
decent third-person romp and worth a look for those who missed out some two
decades ago. The level and type of violence involved, however, makes this one a
definite adults-only outing.
+++++
Review:&OLƬ&DVZHOOSoldier
MOVIES GAMES
Fortunes of War
Out now on digital format
kIT HAS been 25 years since Saving Private Ryan reignited cinema interest
in the Second World War – and the conflict has continued to rage in celluloid Ultrawings 2
form ever since. Out now on VR for PS5 and PC
But these outings can be decidedly hit-and-miss affairs, as testified by
Fortunes of War. The latest in the seemingly endless parade of 1939-45 kFLIGHT sims would seem an obvious candidate for conversion to the virtual reality
themed movies takes a cue or two from the George Clooney military heist experience – but there don’t seem to be as many around as might be expected.
movie Three Kings and sees a group of British commandos stumbling on a This is certainly the case with the PlayStation 5 VR2 system, where Soldier has
gold cache during a failed mission. The reason behind the stash of booty thus far been confined to piloting fast jets on the vertigo-inducing Wingman – until
unfolds as the Germans mysteriously hold off mounting an easy killer blow. Ultrawings 2 landed.
The characters are two-dimensional, the acting unconvincing in places And the newcomer is a gem of an offering – making full use of the dual-handed
and the plot could have been better developed. Yet there is pace and action controllers to simulate cockpit levels and switches. And there are a host of taskings
aplenty, and a draw that is strong enough to engage viewers until the ranging from free-flight to dizzying Second World War-style air combat.
conclusion. If you’re short of a flick for a spot of exercise downtime, this With a £16 price tag on the PlayStation store, there is a fantastic bang-to-buck
might be an option. ratio too. But play in short bursts to avoid the onset of airsickness.
+++++ +++++
Review: &OLƬ&DVZHOO Soldier Review: &OLƬ&DVZHOOSoldier

BOOKS
Passage
([VROGLHURƬHUVƮFWLRQDOWDNHRQ
QRWRULRXV1DYDOFDODPLW\
kAS far as tales of disaster at sea are concerned, few

are more morbidly fascinating than that of Sir John
Franklin’s doomed 1845 expedition to discover the
Northwest Passage.
All 129 souls aboard HMS Erebus and Terror
vanished into the Canadian Arctic, with human
remains discovered years later indicating at least
some had turned to cannibalism before succumbing
to starvation.
The latest retelling of the grisly saga comes
courtesy of one its key protagonist’s descendants.
Infanteer-turned-author Angus Wardlaw (ex-WG,
pictured below) is the distant nephew of Francis
Crozier, captain of Terror, and in his debut novel –
Passage – he fills in the blanks between historical fact
and archaeological evidence to reconstruct what could
have happened to the ships’ companies.
The result is a compelling yarn that has the reader
rooting for the ill-fated sailors despite knowing the
hopelessness of their situation. Soldier wanted to
know more…
that situation. If you look at the map of where

Describe the book in three words What was your reaction when
bones were found and the cartography you can
Erebus and Terror were discovered
make a trail based on what men in an extreme
It’s a tragic Victorian rollercoaster. in 2014 and 2016 respectively?
environment would logically have done.
What’s your connection to Crozier? It was amazing – you assumed they’d be crushed
How did you bring the characters to life? by the ice and would never be seen again, so the
His brother was my four-times great fact they turned up intact was ridiculous. Terror,
grandfather. Most of my family from For Crozier there are quite a few letters that in particular, is in superb condition. They found
Crozier down to my grandfather he wrote. He was a bit maudlin, but also Crozier’s cabin neatly stowed with the door shut
and father went into the Navy but a very stern leader. He’d been in the as if to keep out the cold. The only reason they
I ended up in the Welsh Guards. I Navy since he was 14, had quite a hard haven’t got into his desk is because of a build-up
loved it and don’t regret a second, life and he gave the men no latitude of silt. When leaving those ships, he’d have taken
but I think I should have joined the at all. And the blokes on the ships are the log with him but he’d likely have left a replica
Navy – that’s where my heart was. modelled on a few guys I’ve known in the or other notes behind – that could answer so many
Army – there’s a certain type, with a gallows questions. Q
How long did the book take sense of humour.
OPassage by Angus Wardlaw is out now
to write?
in paperback, published by
What’s your take on what went wrong?
Daredevil Books and priced £9.95
About ten years in total – originally I wanted
to write a film script but during lockdown I had I’ve used the idea that they probably couldn’t rely
time on my hands and decided I’d turn it into a on their tinned rations. The contractor supplying
novel. After that it took me two or three years them had undercut the big companies and filled
to finish. the tins with all sorts of hideous stuff, which was
borne out by an official report at the time. But the
How did you span the gap between real point is the mini-ice age they encountered,
fact and fiction? which lasted for five or six years. They got trapped
and you can’t hunt in those situations, so it’s like a
A bit of soldierly intuition – a lot depends famine. It was the perfect storm. INTERVIEW: BECKY CLARK, SOLDIER
on camaraderie and what you would do in

Sports Editor: Richard Long
Photographer: Graeme Main
SOLDIER
SPORT
HIGH ACHIEVERS
SHEFFIELD'S The Climbing
Works hosted the inaugural
Inter-Services Bouldering
Championships, with Army
athletes facing a stern test
against their Royal Air Force
rivals. The event showcased
the growing popularity of the
sport in military circles. Read
more on pages 66 to 67...

Pictures: Cpl Lauren Brown and Cpl Emma Wade, both RAF
64
MARCH 2024 soldiermagazine.co.uk
WINTER SPORTS
MERIBEL’S MIXED BAG

TITLES COME AND GO AS BATTLE RESUMES
AT FORCES SNOWSPORTS CLASH
HE women’s Alpine team they all did really well. individual combined standings.
T proved to be the Army’s

standout success as
action resumed on the slopes
“The downhill was the
hardest it has ever been. It was
fast and icy, there were four or
There were also silver medals
for WO2 Dale Gallagher (REME)
and Maj Kelly Richards (RA)
of Meribel at the Inter-Services ƮYHELJLQMXULHVDQG/L]]LHDQG in the men’s and women’s
Snowsports Championships. Maddie were both hurt during boardercross, and Cpl Dan
Maj Tess Pirie (RAMC) was practice. The Inter-Services is a Robinson (REME) took bronze
at the forefront of the charge real step up in terms of danger.” in the parallel slalom.
with victories in the super The week-long contest also “We narrowly missed out
giant slalom, giant slalom saw the Reservist renewing her in a number of events,” team
and individual combined battle with the RAF number manager Gallagher said.
FRPSHWLWLRQśDQHƬRUWWKDW RQH)J2Ƭ.LUVW\*XHVWZKR “There was just one point
helped the soldiers to a clean reigned supreme last season separating us and the RAF
sweep of the team titles. and was victorious in the in the boardercross and the
She was ably supported by downhill, slalom and individual parallel slalom was very tight.
LCpl May Percival (RLC), who super combination. "THE “On another day it could have
ƮQLVKHGWKLUGLQWKHLQGLYLGXDO “She beat me by four EHHQDGLƬHUHQWVWRU\7KHOHYHO
combined, Lt Imogen Bird hundredths of a second in the RAF of competition was ramped up
(RE) and LCpl Jess Corbel super G last year, but I got her this year; the RAF have had a
,QW&RUSV 7KHWHDPŞVƮIWK this time round,” Pirie said. “I HAD AN long losing streak, but they’ve
member, Pte Isla Jackson also managed to pip her in the KDGDQLQưX[RIWDOHQWHGSHRSOH
(PWRR), was named the giant slalom when she missed INFLUX who put us on the back foot. We
contest’s best newcomer. the second to last gate. also picked up a few injuries
Their results saw the Army “Kirsty is a brilliant skier and OF at the Army Championships,
women crowned overall was part of the GB team before which didn’t help.
combined team champions she joined the RAF – it is great TALENT" Š7KHUHLVDELJGLƬHUHQFH
having trailed the Royal Air to compete against her.” between that competition and
Force in 2023. Having lost out in the Meribel in terms of the grade of
“I’m delighted,” Pirie told ZRPHQŞVƮHOGWKH5$)SURYHG slopes and type of gates. The
SoldierSport. “Winning an unstoppable force in the other teams had an extra week
individual titles is great, but this men’s Alpine competition as to practice beforehand whereas
LVGHƮQLWHO\DWHDPHYHQW WKH\FODLPHGDOOƮYHWHDP we came straight from the Army
“At the start of the week we titles as well as a host of Championships in Austria – we
decided we would go out and individual accolades courtesy of will perhaps have a change of
ski as a team, and we did that QHZFRPHU)J2Ƭ2OOLH:HHNV plan for next season.”
on every single run. &DSW-RVK6HUGHW 5LưHV And in Telemark, Capt Stefan
“We were able to clock where proved to be the Army’s top Hurst (RLC) won the individual
we were and then radio the SHUIRUPHUƮQLVKLQJVHFRQG parallel slalom on his way to
person at the top to give them to Weeks in the individual being crowned men’s combined
our position and tell them how combined competition. champion, while there were
much they needed to push.” The snowboarders won a victories for OCdt Georgia
Injuries to Spr Lizzie Knox host of collective prizes in Binnington in the women’s
(RE) and Cpl Maddie Critchley 2023 but there were fewer giant slalom, sprint and
(AGC (SPS)) in the build-up trophies to celebrate in the individual classic.
reduced the squad strength latest showdown, with their sole Maj Lori Seed (RA) was
IURPVHYHQWRƮYHDQGZLWK success coming in the men’s second in the women’s
competition rules stating teams team slopestyle. combined standings, while
must get four skiers to the SSgt Dave Grant (REME) the Army men were joint
bottom to score points in each topped the podium in the winners in the team parallel
discipline the pressure was on. individual parallel slalom, while sprint. However, the remaining
Pirie continued: “That made Capt Lisa Gibson (RAMC) honours were shared between
HYHU\WKLQJPRUHGLƱFXOWDQG ƮQLVKHGVHFRQGLQWKHZRPHQŞV the RAF and Royal Navy. Q

JOIN THE FOLD: VISIT THE ARMY CLIMBING
CLIMBING ASSOCIATION PAGE AT BRITISHARMYSPORT.COM
CLIMBERS FIND THRILLS IN FRESH FORCES FORMAT

RMY climbers embraced *LYHQWKHSRSXODULW\RIWKDW MRLQLQJXS
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45 soldiermagazine.co.uk MARCH 2024 67

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FOOTBALL
QUALITY FROM QDG

SKIERS from 1st The Queen’s
Dragoon Guards enjoyed a
successful season that saw them
battling for honours on two fronts.
In the Alpine disciplines, a team
combining novices and seasoned
campaigners enjoyed a close-
fought battle with the Royal Tank
Regiment at the Royal Armoured
JAMES’ LATE SHOW RESCUES REDS

Corps Championships in Verbier,
where they clinched victory on a
challenging slalom course.
From there, they faced longer
races, icy conditions and steeper
slopes at the divisional showdown
LQ/HV&RQWDPLQHVDQGƮQLVKHG
N injury-time header Birchnall (RLC) scrambled across
A
second in all four events to be
crowned overall runners up.
Unfortunately, injury hampered
INTER-SERVICES from Pte Owen James
(RLC, pictured) salvaged
JRDOWRWKZDUWDFKHVWHGHƬRUW
from striker AB Jensen Bryan.
the QDG’s assault on the Army U23 FOOTBALL a deserved draw for the Army With half-time looming James
Championships but despite being under-23s in the concluding match drew a smart save from Navy
a man down, they went on to
ARMY of their Inter-Services campaign. stopper AET Matt Tomlinson and
7KHVWULNHUŞVHƬRUWVDZWKH WKHQFUDVKHGDFORVHUDQJHHƬRUW
1
ƮQLVKVHFRQG$QRWKHUKLJKOLJKW
saw Lt Toby Clark selected for the Reds tie 1-1 with defending RƬWKHQHDUSRVWDVWKHVROGLHUV
Army squad at the Inter-Services. champions the Royal Navy in headed into the break on the
The Nordic team travelled Aldershot and avoid the prospect front foot.
to Norway for the annual RAC NAVY of back-to-back defeats following The pressure continued in the
training camp before skiing at the a 2-0 loss to the Royal Air Force second period as James saw a
corps and divisional contests in
France, where the highlight was
DƮIWKSODFHƮQLVKIRUWKHPHQŞV
1 on the opening day.
7KHUHVXOWZDVDIDLUUHưHFWLRQ
of an even game in which
shot blocked at the near post,
ZLWK&IQ$OƮH:DWWV 5(0(
denied by Tomlinson from the
team in the military patrol race. passion and endeavour were at resulting cross.
Tpr Dylan Lewis and Lt Freya the fore, with moments of quality However, it was the visitors
Logan went on to compete at sprinkled in between. who opened the scoring in
the Army Championships, while Senior Service forward PLAET fortuitous circumstances in the
WKHODWWHUFROHGWKHƮUVW5$& 0DWW,FHWRQZDVWKHƮUVWWR 58th minute as a deep free kick
women’s team at the divisional threaten as he lashed a shot into from Iceton on the right evaded
FKDPSLRQVKLSVƮQLVKLQJIRXUWK the side netting during the early both attackers and defenders and
exchanges. He spurned a better skidded into the net.
opportunity in the 22nd minute Substitute LCpl Matthew Gray
as he burst into the area only $$& ƮUHGZLGHLQWKHWK
to dwell on the ball too long, minute and with the clock ticking
allowing Cfn Danny Constable down the Army looked destined
5(0( WRGHưHFWKLVVKRWZLGH for defeat. But James had other
Pte Lewis Simmons (Para) saw ideas as he glanced home at the
a free kick tipped over from the near post in the seventh minute
$UP\ŞVƮUVWRSSRUWXQLW\RIQRWH of injury time to rescue a point
before home keeper Pte Harry for his side. Q

ARTS APPEAL: FOR MORE DETAILS ON HOW TO GET INVOLVED VISIT THE
MARTIAL ARTS ARMY MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATION PAGE AT BRITISHARMYSPORT.COM
HEAD OF THE TABLE

THE Army Table Tennis
Championships proved to be a
happy hunting ground for LCpl
Dom Weston (RE, pictured above)
as he claimed both the men’s
singles and doubles titles.
His success formed the
TALENT BLOSSOMS AT ANNUAL CAMPS

culmination to a positive week
of action for the sport, with more
than 100 players taking part in
training sessions and various
competitions.
Elsewhere, Sgt Hilary Greig
(AMS) claimed the women’s
KILL progression and look to secure a tenth successive
S
singles crown and teamed up
nurturing grass-roots talent Inter-Services title when they face with Rev Nicola Frail (RAChD) to
was the primary focus their Forces rivals in July. win the doubles. Frail and Capt
for the Army’s kendo and WT “We tend to dominate, but the Matt Hutson (REME) triumphed
taekwondo set-ups as they hosted other teams have some superb in the mixed doubles, with the
their latest training camps and individuals,” Frost added. latter helping Weston to glory in
championships. &RDFKLQJTXDOLƮFDWLRQV the men’s equivalent. 11 Signal
Novice kendo athletes and gradings were also Regiment lifted the unit trophy.
EHQHƮWWHGIURPH[SHUWFRDFKLQJ key components of the WT “It has gone really well,”
before making their competitive taekwondo programme, which Hutson, who is chair of the Army
bows, with the Service then welcomed more than 25 Table Tennis Association, told
hosting one of the biggest personnel to Aldershot. SoldierSportDVKHUHưHFWHGRQWKH
tournaments on the civilian “It is a good turnout for us,” success of the event.
circuit at the Army invitational. said OiC Maj Stephen Gibbons "PEOPLE “In the past we would have elite
“We are taking individuals from (R Signals). “We’ve had guys players and novices, with not a
zero right through to being able come over from Brunei and I have LOVE huge amount in between. But we
to compete,” explained Army travelled from Belgium. have seen people start clubs at
Kendo OiC Maj Mat Frost (AGC “We are a fully formed club GETTING corps level which means we are
636 Š$QGIRUWKHƮUVWWLPHLQ and people love getting on the now getting that middle ground
recent years we are following mat. We run this twice a year ON THE where individuals are pushing for
the grading syllabus, grading and enter lots of competitions, so a place on the Army team – it is
people up to second and third there are great opportunities.” MAT" great to see.”
kyu. We have also been running a The squad returned from last
concurrent coaching course. year’s European Masters Games
“This year is more about ZLWKPHGDOVśLQFOXGLQJƮYH
reinforcing the foundations of the golds – and were victorious at
sport and in 2025 we will look Inter-Services level. They will
to push the performance side. look to defend that title at the
We are already planning a tour next event in June, while 2024
of central Europe, so we need to also sees them competing at the
feed people through and get them British University Taekwondo
to the appropriate standard.” League World Championships for
In the meantime, the squad will WKHƮUVWWLPHQ

JIU-JITSU
SPORT SHORTS
Picture: Cat Goryn/Alligin Photography
5HGV´QGIRUP
THE Army men’s rugby union team
enjoyed back-to-back wins on the road
as preparations for this season’s
Inter-Services campaign continued.
A 31-17 triumph over Cambridge
University was followed by a resounding
success against Cambridge 1923, when
MAT APPEAL REMAINS AS HIGH AS EVER

they ran in 11 tries on their way to a
71-14 victory.
The results followed on from defeats
to the British Police and Nottingham.
Their next test comes against the French
Army, in France, on March 15.
NOTHER high turnout know there is an opportunity
A was celebrated at the

Army Brazilian Jiu-
jitsu Championships as more
to compete.
“These are high level
athletes who are joining us as
than 120 athletes battled for private soldiers.”
honours at Aldershot’s Combat The set-up secured a bronze
Sports Centre. medal at January’s European
The contest welcomed Championships courtesy of
competitors ranging from Cpl Laurie McCutcheon (R
white to black belts in a host Signals) and will see Bdr
of weight divisions in both Josh Gibbs (RA) compete at
gi and non-gi contests, with the World Championships in
"WE the top performers earning California later in the year.
selection for this summer’s :KLOHVXFKDWKOHWHVư\
WANT Inter-Services clash. WKHưDJDWWKHHOLWHOHYHO
Among those to catch the Kelly stressed it was equally
TO eye were Cpl Kyle Wilson and important to concentrate on
Guba’s home honour Cpl Dave Agar (both Para), the next generation of talent
RETAIN who won blue belt titles in the and the Forces clash to come.
ARMY taekwondo ace Sgt Yamikani lightweight and middleweight “We use the Army
Guba (RA) has been crowned Malawi’s THAT divisions respectively. Championships as a way of
sportsman of the year. “The standard here has been growing the sport by focusing
The award comes on the back of a TITLE" very high,” Lt Col Shamus on the lower belts, while also
successful 2023 that included silver Kelly (RRF), former chair of selecting our squad for the
medals at the European Masters and now adviser to the Army Inter-Services,” he added.
Games, Dutch Open and UK National Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Association, “We won that event last
Championships. told SoldierSport. summer and we want to retain
“I am humbled and privileged to “The sport has matured; it the title.
be recognised for my achievements, has been part of the Army for “The soldiers who win gold
especially as I’m based abroad,” he said. more than ten years now and here will be selected for the
“It means a huge amount and we are getting a lot of guys competition – it is a totally
hopefully it inspires other individual and girls joining up as they transparent process.” Q
athletes in my country.”

ATHLETICS
SPORT SHORTS
MEDAL JOY AT 24-HOUR TEST
E
NDURANCE runner Pte Damian
Carr (R Anglian) is planning
a relatively low-key year after
ending 2023 on a high with a bronze
medal at the IAU 24-hour World
Championships in Chinese Taipei.
The Reservist was part of the six-
PDQ7HDP*%VTXDGWKDWƮQLVKHG
behind champions Lithuania and
Poland in the gruelling event, which
Sprules’ nations call saw athletes running loops of a
two-kilometre circuit and posting
ARMY ice hockey star Sig Jess the greatest distance possible in the
Sprules (R Signals) was part of the allotted timeframe.
Great Britain squad that competed in Carr clocked a personal haul of
the Four Nations tournament in NPƮQLVKLQJVWLQWKH
Denmark last month. individual standings.
The team started the campaign with “The pressure was on us going
a 2-0 loss to Italy that was followed in as we knew we had to medal to
by a 5-1 reverse against Poland. They secure funding down the line,” the
completed the competition with a 40-year-old told SoldierSport.
battling performance against the hosts “It was a bit of a relief really. There
before succumbing to a 3-2 defeat. are so many variables in a 24-hour
Sprules has since been named as a race, which meant it was a great
reserve for the British squad that will UHVXOWśZHSXWDORWRIHƬRUWLQš
compete at the World Championships in Carr and his teammates arrived in
Riga next month. country ten days before the event in
a bid to acclimatise and this, along
with other preparations in the build-
up, paid dividends on the day.
“We were wearing ice packs
Picture: UIPM World Pentathlon/Nuno Goncalves
beforehand to keep our core

temperatures down and were
checking the carbs and protein we
were taking on board,” the soldier
explained. “We also looked at sweat
ratios to work out how much sodium
we were losing.
Š,SHUVRQDOO\FRYHUHGPLOHV
and the conditions out there were
quite tough due to the heat and
humidity, so I was pleased.”
Starting in style Success in Asia made up for
the disappointment of missing
PENTATHLON ace 2Lt Kerenza out on a medal at the European
Bryson (RLC) started the Olympic year Championships in Verona, Italy, a
in style by claiming a bronze medal at year earlier and attention has already
the Hungarian Indoor Championships. WXUQHGWRWKHQH[WZRUOGWHVWLQ
The Reservist, who was crowned “There are no major
sportswoman of the year at the 2023 championships this season so I’m
Army Sports Awards, crossed the line focusing on improving my speed
two seconds behind British teammate over shorter distances,” Carr, who
Emma Whitaker. Home favourite has been competing for The Royal
Michelle Gulyas took the gold. Anglian Regiment in this season’s
Bryson had further cause to celebrate Army Midlands cross-country
as she and Whitaker, along with Charlie competition, added.
Follett, captured the team gold. “I will try and qualify for the World
Picture: Geoff Lowe
She booked her place at the Paris Championships, while we will also
Games with a bronze at last summer’s look to improve as a team.” Q
World Championships (pictured).

BASKETBALL
MONTH
IN SPORT
March’s key dates...
WHAT:
Inter-Services
Netball
WHEN:
March 6 to 8
WHERE:
Aldershot
NEED TO
KNOW: The
Army recorded
a fourth successive clean sweep of
NEW COURT CAMPAIGN ENDS ON A HIGH

the titles in 2023, with the senior,
development and masters squads all on
WRS&DQWKH\PDNHLWƮYHLQDURZ"
RGANISERS of reduction in injuries, as well as

INTER-CORPS
B’BALL FINALS
O the new-look Inter-
Corps Basketball
Championships have
an overall improvement in the
standard on court.
Š:HŞYHVHHQGLƬHUHQWSHRSOH
FHOHEUDWHGDVXFFHVVIXOƮQLVK DWGLƬHUHQWJDPHVDQGWKHUH
MEN to the event’s debut outing, have been no limits on squad
RLC
with the Royal Logistic Corps sizes – teams can use 12
and Army Medical Services players for one match and
sealing the top honours. another 12 in the next. It has
WHAT: Inter-Services Football A 72-56 victory over JLYHQWKHFRUSVPRUHưH[LELOLW\
Championships – Army v RAF WOMEN the Royal Electrical and Š7KHƮQDOVZHUHJRRG
Mechanical Engineers saw games, but they were not as
AMS
WHEN: March 5 and 6
WHERE: Aldershot Town FC the Loggies reign supreme close as everyone expected.
NEED TO KNOW: The soldiers start LQWKHPHQŞVƮQDO+RZHYHU The AMS pulled away quite
their quest for honours on home turf, WKH\VXƬHUHGDFRPSUHKHQVLYH early in the women’s match
ZLWKWKHZRPHQŞVJDPHXSƮUVW7KHPHQ defeat in the women’s and it was the same for the
commence battle 24 hours later – both showpiece, where the AMS RLC in the men’s. Both teams
PDWFKHVNLFNRƬDW recorded a 57-45 win. then managed those gaps.”
The games marked the end Attention now turns to this
of a tournament which started PRQWKŞV,QWHU8QLWƮQDOVDKHDG
WHAT: last summer and featured of the Inter-Services in May,
Inter-Services PRQWKO\SRROƮ[WXUHVDKHDG which also marks the start of
Hockey RIVHPLƮQDOVDQGƮQDOVDV the next corps campaign.
WHEN: March 19 opposed to the old system Douglass said tweaks will
to 21 which saw the event crammed be made to the admin of the
WHERE: into a one-week window. tournament and there will be a
Aldershot “It has been a huge trial of an expanded format.
NEED TO success” Capt Craig Douglass “We are looking at corps
KNOW: Goal (AAC), the Army Basketball entering two teams in the
GLƬHUHQFHSURYHG Association’s competition men’s competition,” he
decisive last secretary, told SoldierSport. “It explained. “Some have lots of
season as the Army women surrendered has given us the opportunity players but they are not always
their crown to the RAF. They’ll be going to see more basketball played getting the opportunity to play.
all out to regain the title, with the men and there has been a massive This will help that.” Q
and under-25s also hoping to improve

Final Word
Awareness of what we
do. A lot of people think
we simply put on a
uniform and sit around
drinking brews. If people
understood that we are far
more than a Dad’s Army –
we’re professionals fitting
this in around civilian
life – it would help with
recruitment and improve
understanding from
employers. The Service
Legal protection for our needs to sell its Reserve to
personnel to take extra the wider world better.
leave from their civilian As a Reservist of 19 years, I Cpl Bethany Brown, RAMC
employers. I believe that think the policy for employing
in America and Australia us is due a change. What
Reservists train on a set we have now is a zero-
hours arrangement with
RESERVE
number of weekends and
their employers are legally the bounty being the main
bound to give them the incentive, and people pick
time off. We benefit from and choose when they come
this for deployments but in. But we need long-term
not for normal jogging, yet contracts stipulating certain
the Army is asking more training objectives be met
-ATIONS
from us than at any time each year. We should have
since the Gulf War. a responsibility to turn up
Lt Luke Tarry, Yorks when we’re supposed to –
that would attract the right
individuals and more of them.
CSgt David Treslove, Para
We asked part-time soldiers

training for Op Tosca about
the biggest issues facing
the Army Reserve
right now
More consistency in I think in the

We are away for many
training is needed.
Because we come from all
run-up to major
deployments like
Interviews: Steve Muncey Pictures: Sgt Murray Kerr, RA
months on this deployment walks of life you can end

and by law when I go back
everything in my civilian
up attending a follow-up
training weekend where
Tosca there should
career should be exactly the half the people there EHDFRQFHUWHGHƬRUW
same, but will that be the
case? Maybe the government
didn’t go to the first event
so that holds everyone by the Army
should get involved and press back. It can be frustrating to engage with
home the message that if
our employers
if you’re one of those who
Reservists have been away turn up regularly because
serving their country they
FDQŞWEHWUHDWHGDQ\GLƬHUHQWO\
you don’t feel you’re
getting beyond the basic
and educate
when they return. level quickly enough. them.
Cpl Gordy MacPherson, Para Pte Fergus Baird, Para LCpl Mike Kennedy, Para

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CONTENTS

Medics showcase expertise – p36

40 Back to the future

4 MARCH 2024 soldiermagazine.co.uk

Sarah Goldthorpe • Editor

iFacebook, X and Instagram

soldiermagazine.co.uk MARCH 2024 5

Photographer Graeme Main

SOLDIER is published by the Ministry of Defence

Warfare Centre has been first rate and

soldiermagazine.co.uk MARCH 2024 7

from La Gomera in the wellbeing strategies,

8 MARCH 2024 soldiermagazine.co.uk

‘The downhill was the hardest

work in the heat and spending a

soldiermagazine.co.uk MARCH 2024 9

SOLDIER grills HQ ARRC

is certainly tangible. And it’s vital that

A NEW AGE OF CONCEALMENT

prepared. And a series of upcoming

soldiermagazine.co.uk MARCH 2024 11

Q A SUPER-FIT Army doc is on

admitted. “You really draw on

RSM exits on wellbeing note COURSES FOR LEAVERS

for them in the future.

soldiermagazine.co.uk MARCH 2024 15

Picture: Graeme Main

AFGHAN ASSISTANCE RAMPS UP

16 MARCH 2024 soldiermagazine.co.uk

Q THE number of outstanding

Phil Riley, the outfit’s head of

‘Cyber expertise required’

soldiermagazine.co.uk MARCH 2024 17

Call for Cold War medal

TRUCK IT AND SEE actually

T HM Forces Veteran Card is now

18 MARCH 2024 soldiermagazine.co.uk

Contact Paul on Defence Connect

Ground Army Sergeant Major, WO1 Paul Carney,

Picture: Graeme Main

I was the only male that and be good

soldiermagazine.co.uk MARCH 2024 19

20 MARCH 2024 soldiermagazine.co.uk

GOOD nutrition isn’t just about

ACTIVE periods. It is thought more than

SERVICE inadequate intakes, increasing their

PLATE include tiredness and lack of energy).

Energy need: VITAMIN D

snacks whatever your level of activity

soldiermagazine.co.uk MARCH 2024 25

Do volunteers get paid?

Could the contraceptive pill be expenses, but support may be available

scientists are trying to find out – and

26 MARCH 2024 soldiermagazine.co.uk

NEXT month Cpl Milly Williams SEPTEMBER

Name: Cpl Milly Williams

Follow the QR code

soldiermagazine.co.uk MARCH 2024 27

off form DRIER, THIN HAIR

ladies? HEART PALPITATIONS

Clues that your oestrogen levels RECURRENT UTIS

CHANGING BODY SHAPE

28 MARCH 2024 soldiermagazine.co.uk

word or action XQDXWKRULVHGXVHRIƮUHDUPV

Review: &OLƬ&DVZHOO Soldier Review: &OLƬ&DVZHOOSoldier