Page 4 - Chiron Spring 2016
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In 2013, plans to signi cantly increase the size of the reserves were announced, and the Territorial Army was renamed as the Army Reserve. These plans have had a signi cant effect on our Corps and in this edition of Chiron calling I want to make special mention of the Reserves and their unique and growing contribution to both the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, the Corps and to Defence.
In mid-March, I visited the new Reserve Squadron at North Luffenham for the  rst time. I was surprised and very pleased to see how quickly this new reserve capability is developing under the command of Major Chris Ham. 101 Squadron has transformed the old EOD building on the North Luffenham site into a friendly and hospitable home for their of cers and soldiers. As I walked around I was able to re ect on how the connection of North Luffenham site with the Reserves has moved on a long way from being the Headquarters of the Leicestershire Tactical Area of Responsibility as part of the Cold War home defence network. Some readers will remember the key roles played by personnel from The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Centre, as it was, and the Royal Army Veterinary Corps Territorial Army of cers during exercise Brave Defender . The Soviet threat may have changed, and the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan which heralded a new chapter in the history of the reserves have ended, but the Reserves are here to stay as an essential component of what we do now, and in the future. In this future role the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment will provide animal and veterinary capability across a spectrum of tasks to Defence for contingency operations and for UK homeland resilience. To effectively deliver this role it is essential that our regular and
Director’s View
By Colonel D A Macdonald QHVS (Douglas)
reserve elements must stand together,
shoulder to shoulder, as one ‘whole force’ integrated within Defence and together with other Government departments and agencies.
We have now recruited our  rst tranche of Reservists, but more, much more, needs to be done to reach our target of 350 of cers and soldiers by 2018. This is a signi cant task, especially when we consider that we are recruiting our soldiers from a zero based start point. However, we all have to a part to play in reaching this target and we can do it by actively and enthusiastically spreading the word that service in the Reserves is both a challenging and immensely rewarding way of working with animals in Defence, either as a dog handler, veterinary technician or veterinary surgeon. Readers who have left the Regulars, or are thinking of leaving, should always consider a part time career in the RAVC Reserves as a
means to continue serving and to make the best use of their valuable knowledge, skills and experience. We have recently learned that our recruiting will now be conducted on a national, rather than a regional, basis. This very positive move will allow everyone from across the UK to join the regiment; and not just those who happen to live within the North Luffenham area.
The Reserve soldiers I had the opportunity to meet were all bursting with enthusiasm, highly motivated and possessed of a wide range of transferable skills from their civilian employment. They are just as highly committed as our Regulars and they are also just as closely supported by their families and friends. We are all united by a common commitment and a desire to work with animals as well as the desire to serve our country in the Army (regular or reserve). For these reasons I am proud to welcome our Reservists to our Corps because they are an integral part of our future.
It is also important that we recognise the contribution made by the of cers and soldiers who have served in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and Continental Territorial Army. Their service has been invaluable and it has helped to lay the foundations of the Corps as it is today. It was therefore with some sadness that I learned of Lieutenant Colonel Robert Huey’s decision to resign his commission after 27 years of unstinting service to the Corps. I will miss him, at both a personal and a professional level, and I know others will too. On behalf of the Corps I offer Lieutenant Colonel Huey our heartfelt thanks for all that he has done for us and our very best wishes to him and his family for the future.
Interview with Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Foreman RLC
Commanding Of cer, 1st Military Working Dog Regiment (Royal Army Veterinary Corps)
Where are you from and where did you go to school?
I’m from Adelaide in South Australia. I went to Prima Vista Primary before joining the Australian Army.
Why did you join the Army?
I wanted an adventure and a challenge. I only expected to stay in the Army for three years, but ended up completing eight years in the Australian Army and have spent 16 years to date in the British Army. I joined the British Army to marry my British wife whom I met on holiday in Thailand, 18 years ago.
Where did you undergo basic training?
I completed my initial Of cer training at the Royal Military College in Duntroon in Canberra. This was an 18-month commissioning course, which is a cross between West Point and Sandhurst.
What is a brief outline of your career?
While serving in the Australian Army, I worked in Canberra, Sydney, Perth and
Darwin. Over the last decade and a half, I have been posted to Gutersloh (Germany), Colchester, Aldershot, Holywood (Northern Ireland), Kingston (Canada), Abingdon, London, Sennelager (Germany) and now North Luffenham. Operationally, I have served in Kuwait, Iraq, Northern Ireland, Haiti, Sierra Leone, Syria and Afghanistan. I have also exercised in Canada, Kenya, Trinidad, Morocco, Jordan, Japan, South Korea, Poland, Norway, Oman and Germany as well as the length and breadth of the UK.
What is your present position?
I am currently the Commanding Of cer of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, which I consider to be the best job in the British Army – a fact reinforced by the Commander Land Forces.
What do you like about your current role?
What’s not to like? It’s a fantastic capability, the people are amazing and I’ve managed to re-home a less-than-brilliant Vehicle Search dog – much to the delight of my children.
What do you dislike about your current role?
That in 18-months’ time my relationship with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps will end – but the memories will last a lifetime.
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