Page 97 - The Light Dragoon 2024

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
The Royal Yeomanry has been a busy place over the past two years, deploying 277 RY SP deployed across 20 named Ops/Cts. With a small RHQ of just 5 regular staff it is a busy place but a close knit team that enables the training and mobilisation of the RY. In the past year the RY has provided IA’s to not only the paired unit of the QDG on DIAMONDBACK, CABRIT and SCORPION CYCLONE but to the Royal Lancers on CABRIT and the HCR on TOSCA.
It’s not all overseas deployments but also UK based activity. The RY deployed on Ex SCORPION CYCLONE, the largest UK exercise in post war times. As part of the 1 DRS BCT it has been an inter- esting evolvement of the Cav/Arty BCT concept. The development of the Lt Cav Crew Commanders (Res) has been a large part of time at the RY. Developing a course that enables reserve soldiers to not only promote but to be deployable and able to be used by regular regiments. This step forward in a gap of 4 years has been a huge change in the deployability and employment of reserve Lt Cav soldiers.
After steeping out of RD it has been a fantastic opportunity to realise how ‘the
other half live’. A great work life balance and grown-up living has been fantastic. Seeing how beneficial a strong pairing between sister regiments is key to the success of giving regular soldiers respite in a busy period. How the QDG and RY have each others’ soldiers on nearly every career course or Sqn level exercise is proof of how strong the pairing is. For those looking to leave the regular army, I would recommend the army reserve to you. The ability to train when you have the time and spread the knowledge you have learnt would benefit so many.
The Royal Yeomanry
Res Crew Commanders
WARCOP LDs Grouse
ATJA
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