Page 13 - QARANC Vol 14 No 13 2016

Maj Elaine Vogan our Day Skipper enjoying a well earned rest on board
to build confidence and understanding of the water and highlight different opportunities as to what is available through adventurous training activities.
Sailing creates a unique environment for building teams and creating opportunities to build confidence and trust within a team, due to the diverse conditions of the weather and the confined spaces of sailing vessels. I truly enjoyed my experience as a day skipper and the opportunity to impart my experiences and skills onto my colleagues who have had no prior experience of sailing before. It was a great learning experience, which has developed my self-awareness and given me a greater understanding of my leadership abilities and instructional technique.
Maj Elaine Vogan QARANC - 204 Field Hospital Belfast
Dates for your Diary
QARANC Chief Nursing Officer Prize Giving and Glover Lecture - 18 Nov 2016
The Annual Prize Giving and Glover Lecture will take place on 18 Nov 2016. Details are available on the QARANC website www.qarancasssociation.org.uk and from Branches.
Carol Service
7 Dec 2016
The AMS Carol Service will be held on 7 Dec 2016 at the Royal Military Academy Chapel Sandhurst. Further details will be available through your Branches or from the website: www.qarancassociation.org.uk
QARANC Corps Day
25 Mar 2017
QARANC Corps Day and Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the QARANC Association will take place at the Royal Garrison Church Aldershot on Saturday 25 Mar 2017. Details will be available on the QARANC website www.qarancasssociation. org.uk and from Branches from December 2016.
Turning the Pages Ceremony
25 Mar 2017
Dates and locations for the Turning the Pages Ceremonies 2017 have yet to be confirmed at time of going to press. The first Ceremony will be on 25 Mar 2017. Further details will be included in the spring 2017 edition of The Gazette.
Further information about any event can be requested from the General Secretary on regtsecqaranc@hotmail.com or 01276 412754.
QARANC Chief Nursing Officer Symposium and Glover Lecture – 4/5 May 2017
The event will take place on 4/5 May 2017 at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. More details are available from the QARANC website www.qarancassociation.org.uk and from Branches from February 2017.
QARANC Annual Reunion Lunch
6th May 2017
This event will take place on 6 May 2017 at the Victory Services Club London. The event will commence at 1130hrs with an Association and Corps update followed by lunch. The cost will be £30.00 for members and £35.00 for non-members. A booking form is enclosed with this publication. Please ensure bookings are made by 7 Apr 2017. All bookings will be confirmed on receipt of the cheque payable to QARANC Association.
THE GAZETTE QARANC 11
way and how to indicate early to clearly communicate our direction and intentions. Dropping anchor was also on our menu and it was an exhausting task as the anchor weighs a ton!
After a full week on board I was awarded a competent crew qualification and was competent to help with most of the crew tasks such as bending the sails, casting and tying off from the pontoon, helming, gybing and tacking, navigational and meteorological skills, logbook entries and cooking in the galley. Additionally, we practiced man overboard drills and emergency procedure drills expected on board a sailing yacht.
This exercise has given me an insight to sailing, and a better understanding of the water, tidal patterns and a greater appreciation of the weather and its influence on sailing. It has also identified an area of interest which I never thought I would be involved in or appreciate. The exercise has created an opportunity for me to get involved in something different and get to know some of my Reserve colleagues from 204 Field Hospital at a different level and in unique circumstances and environments.
The fact that we had to work in close and confined spaces on board the yacht gave me a better understanding of the importance of teamwork and camaraderie, and the significance of having competent leaders, whom I felt safe with; all of them were approachable and willing to help me understand my role as a crew member. I certainly have an interest in doing more sailing in the future and would encourage others to try it at least once.
Cpl Chris Ganacias QARANC 204 Field Hospital, Belfast