Page 33 - The Light Dragoon 2024

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
The year 2023 could be coined ‘Year of the Team Medic’ after seeing the CMTs of the LD RAP train two-hundred and seventy of the Regiment’s three-hundred and eighty non-medical personnel in preparation for deployment on operations in the latter part of the year. Of course, that would probably be underselling what has been a year of overseas exercise, opera- tional deployment, and support to UK activity for the RAP staff however, their feet touching the ground for just enough time to vaccinate, team-medic-educate, and then head out of the door again. Between them, the RAP staff have covered ground overseas in Kenya, Estonia, Germany, and Poland, as well as the more regular haunts of Castlemartin, Otterburn, Wathgill, Warcop, and the ever-reliable Catterick Training Area.
Early in the year, the RAP staff sadly said goodbye to the RMO, Maj Kate Christie, whose energy and commitment set the RAP up for the success for the remainder of the year. She left the RAP in the safe hands of Sgt, now SSgt Jamie Pratt, who steered the ship in the absence of an RMO for many months before also moving on with assignment to 3 Medical Regiment.
Getting straight into the year in normal fashion, the Light Dragoons were back on the ranges for Ex STEEL DRAGOON, the annual staple for which the CMTs readily prepare warm kit, med kit, and excellent range banter to see the troops through the chilly weeks in Castlemartin. A smooth run through on the ranges allowed both the LDs and the med team to shake out in preparation for the warmer climes of Kenya, where Cpl Smith was out in force with C Sqn as the sub-unit medic on Ex ASKARI STORM and Cpl Phillips was
trying her hand at the observer -mentor role, for which she received great praise. They finished up the exercise with some excellent AT; canyoning, rock climbing, and mountain biking, all of which placed Kenya firmly on the list of exercises to volunteer for in future.
This was closely followed up by the team heading out to Estonia in May on Ex SPRING STORM, which was another excellent opportunity for A and B Squadrons and their medics to go through their paces, LCpl Wallis joining in as a sub-unit medic on lend from HQ Squadron. It was another great run out for those involved, with the surprising perk of being able to tackle the heady sport of mud running for those so inclined. Sea kayaking was also on the table and Estonia swiftly joined Kenya as an exercise location to volunteer for again.
Concurrently, the month of May saw the arrival of LCpl Fisher, and involved a period of intense behind-the-scenes activity from Cpl Humphreys as he went from zero to hero in his Team Medic Course franchise expertise. Quite possibly something he never wished to be the hero of, Cpl Humphreys’ efforts in getting the Light Dragoons RAP to be an authorised deliverer of the Team Medic Course was the lynch pin of the team’s ability to train nearly 75% of the Regiment’s personnel to team medic standard throughout the rest of the year.
July in Germany took the regiment to the brink of summer leave in style with a full regimental deployment to Germany on a Combined Arms Tactical Training Exercise. The RAP went in force and spent a couple of weeks together as a team with
Sgt Cooper taking the lead, providing real life support to the individuals training, and getting involved in the regimental activity. The final item on the pre-summer leave agenda was the All Ranks Brief for Op PSYMA, which switched the focus of the RAP and the Regiment to the next big task of the year.
Build up for Op PSYMA had the full RAP swinging into action in the delivery of team medic courses and the propulsion of all individuals through the med centre under the direction of Cpl Duke and Sgt Cooper for force preparation medicals. Cpl Humphreys led the charge with the land equipment assurance visit which naturally fell concurrent to the pre-deployment activity, and LCpl Fisher headed out on Op INTERFLEX.
The year culminated in the effort of all RAP staff being rewarded with the successful deployment of a large portion of the Regiment on Op PSYMA, before those on the home bank headed into some well- deserved Christmas leave.
Despite the light-hearted nature of this account, in all of their endeavours this year the staff of the Light Dragoon RAP have applied significant effort, long hours, and hard work to make sure that the Regiment was in a good and safe condition to deploy on all of the tasks that came in. In the absence of so many key roles, their efforts have been commendable.
RR
Regimental Aid Post
includes new flooring, a new kitchen, a paint job, and various entertainment systems. Soldiers are now throwing themselves at the SSM’s doors to volunteer for a week of stag and smashing out ‘COD’ with their oppos.
The year has been positive for the department, and I would like to say a huge thank you to you all for upholding the standards.
CW
The RDS enforcers
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