Page 15 - LBV 2017

COMPANY TRAINING
Company Training Overview
A (Kimberley) Company – Module A
In keeping with the CUOTC mission once potential officer cadets have completed selection. They commence on what is effectively a 3-year course of military experiences and training offering opportunities to learn many life skills that can be use in military or civilian life.
With A Company on Mod A, officer cadets learn the fundamentals of what it means to be a soldier and more so to be an officer in the British Army. The course is intense set
over 7 weekends and intervening
training nights or can be completed
on a two-week consolidated
course run within the unit or at The
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
For the Officer Cadets, there are
the keen who seek a military career
or have previous cadet experience.
However, the majority have a passing interest in the Army or seek an active pursuit outside of their studies. We cater for all with the sole aim meeting these needs and our mission.
Those who go on to be leaders in industry will do with a positive experience of the British Army and those who join the Army will know exactly what is expected of them. We lead them on a voyage of discovery proving what they thought they can achieve, but also so much more can
be achieved with the right motivation. There are challenges for everyone but also the guiding hand of experience to help them along the way. Few feel it’s not for them and all embrace what the OTC offers be that mainstream military training, the socials or the more abstract opportunities of OTC life.
The result is a confident, self-sufficient officer cadet able to live, survive and administer themselves in barracks and in the field. Fiercely proud of their unit, it’s heritage and being a member of Cambridge University Officers’ Training Corps. Then it is onto B Company
and Mod B to learn more about leadership, command, planning to further their military skills. Major M Brazier, OC A (Kimberley)Company
B (Ladysmith) Coy – Module B
B (Ladysmith) Company CUOTC is primarily responsible for the delivery of Module B (Tactical Command 1) of the Reserves Commissioning Course. Officer Cadets typically come to us in
their second year at CUOTC. Here they further develop working within a team but the emphasis is now also on how the team is led.
During Module B an Ocdt’s basic military education continues and their physical stamina
is further developed. Over 7 training weekends individual soldiering skills are honed and OCdts must be able to perform as a Rifleman in a Section context whilst effectively administering themselves in the field. The Combat Estimate and
Orders process are introduced
as command tools and must be thoroughly understood. Command experience is given at Section and Fire-team level, progressing to Platoon level. OCdts will conduct Field Training Exercises focusing on Offensive Operations and will have the chance to take part in
reconnaissance patrols, ambushes and platoon attacks. They will also receive essential instruction in Combat Marksmanship, signals, the Law of Armed Conflict and land navigation.
To complete Module B successfully Ocdts must show a basic understanding of British Army tactics and doctrine, and display the potential to develop into an effective leader.
Major P Ryan, OC B (Ladysmith) Company
Advanced Wing (Mafeking) – Developmental Training
If Officer Cadets are staying on at University after successfully completing Modules A and B, they can undertake in Advanced Wing training. This training aims to further develop and consolidate the varied syllabus they have learnt in their first 2 years at Cambridge UOTC.
Throughout the year, Officer Cadets can partake in a wide range of exciting training including infantry skills, OBUA, estimate & orders practice, London military history visits, facilitating civilian exercises and leadership development weekends to develop the skills required for the Army Officer Selection Boards. During the Spring Exercise and ADX, they are able to assume some of the much sought after command positions and practice all that they have learnt whilst with the UOTC.
Captain K McCann, 2IC Adv Wing (Mafeking)
However, the majority have a passing interest in the Army...
THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER 13