Page 16 - Chiron Autumn 2017

Interview with Andy Miles
Where are you from and where did you go to school?
I was born and bred in Rugby, Warwickshire where I spent all of my school days nishing it of at Bilton High School. I now currently live in Melton Mowbray with my family.
Why did you join the Army and the RAVC?
In all honesty I joined the Army because I wasn’t the biggest fan of school and didn’t fancy college. I originally joined the Army with the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Whilst I was deployed on Op Herrick 10, I had my rst real insight into how dogs work within the military. With my love for dogs I soon realised the RAVC was the right career for me to pursue, so the transfer paperwork went in straight away. My Regiment was reluctant to let me go but my perseverance paid off!
Where did you undertake basic training?
Army Training Regiment (ATR) at Bassingbourn.
Brie y, what have you done since?
Once I completed my Class 3 Dog Handler course I was posted to 102
MWD Sqn Germany. I went straight on to pre deployment training for Op Herrick 15 completing exercises in Jordan and Germany. I deployed with the Corps “bread and butter” as a Protection dog handler working with a number of different Units gaining valuable experience. Returning from tour I was then posted to the Defence Animal Training Regiment where I completed one of my most rewarding jobs I have ever done; training Phase 2 Recruits for 2 years. A busy, dif cult job at times but most rewarding.
What is your current position?
My current role at 101 MWD Reserve Sqn as a Cpl PSI (Permanent Staff Instructor), again a dynamic job using all my experiences to date, MWD knowledge, my experience as a soldier and using my understanding as a Phase 2 instructor.
What advantages are there and what do you like about your job? While I have been within 101 Sqn I have learnt so much out of my current rank with regards to how to manage, lead and command soldiers from all backgrounds, of ages and carry out subordinate development. It’s something I can really take forward within in my next job role whatever it
may be in the RAVC. No day is the same, it’s a busy, a full on job in 101 given our numbers in the Reserve.
Do you have any dislikes?
Arrogance in others.
What is your main passion out of work?
It has to be spending time with my amazing family, Jenna and our young daughter Poppy. I have a couple of different hobbies the main one being a very keen Carp sherman. I hope to qualify for the Army Carp shing team later this year and continue to represent the RAVC in this activity.
14 CHIRON CALLING
Army Boxing individual championships 2017
By Private Ella Morgan, 104 MWD Sqn
I took part in the Army Individual Boxing Championships on the 4-8 June in Aldershot, after 6 months of training with 2nd Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment. After 3 days of training in Aldershot I was to ght Gunner Dry in the nal of the ladies 48kg weight category.
The Royal Artillery are traditionally really good at boxing so I knew my ght was going to be hard and I knew my opponent would not let me win. Before I knew it, the commentator called out ‘Private Morgan versus Gunner Dry’ and I was in to round 1.
The rst round was a cagey affair where we both tried to nd weaknesses in the other’s defences, while getting a feel for the tactics of one another.
After the 1st round and a chat with my coach, I approached the 2nd round with a lot more speed; pushing Gunner Dry on to her back foot. This approach worked and the round was comfortably mine. Moving in to the nal 2 minute round, I came out even stronger throwing head tilting shots which troubled my opponent. Gunner Dry was still throwing shots but they were falling too short and I was able to dodge them easily.
Three tough rounds were fought by both boxers and I managed to take the decision by unanimous vote as all judges scored in my favour.
Months of hard training had nally paid off and I can now proudly say that I am the Army Boxing Champion in the 48kg weight category.