Page 4 - LBV 2023

Cambridge UOTC Annual Deployment Exercise – Green Skills Package
On Friday 30th June Officer Cadets from across all detachments of CUOTC assembled at Coldhams Lane Army Reserve Centre for the start of the
ten day Annual Deployment Exercise Green Package. Over the first two
days Officer Cadets commenced a Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration (RSOI) package. Firstly came the fitness tests, including the annual Soldier Conditioning Review
and Military Swim Test. When it came
to military training, Officer Cadets
took part in activities including communications, grenade training, casualty extractions, heat prevention, vehicle checkpoints, section battle drills, ambushes, captured persons training and a final kit check, all to prepare for the forthcoming five day exercise. On the Monday morning, Officer Cadets were briefed on their exercise scenario and Company Order of Battle, before loading onto the coaches and deploying north to Otterburn Training Camp.
Once the Officer Cadets had arrived
at Otterburn Camp, they had their final cooked meal, were issued with their final pieces of equipment, and prepared for battle. The two Platoons of Officer Cadets were initially dropped off by Troop Carrying Vehicles before loading their Bergens onto their backs and tabbing the remaining two kilometres to establish their Platoon harbour areas. Once the harbour areas were established, it was in to harbour routine and awaiting orders for the next day. Over the next 5 days Officer Cadets were challenged with rotating command appointments and serials. Sections were tasked to carry out vehicle checkpoints, night ambushes and clearance patrols, occasionally having to deal with enemy captured persons.
The Final Attack
Then it came. Orders for the final Platoon attack. After flushing out most of the enemy from CUOTCs area of operations, there were only a small pocket of enemy left on a disused airfield. The mission was simple. Destroy all enemy on objective Carson, in order to deny the enemy use of the airstrip and prevent CUOTC from being isolated.
With orders and battle prep complete, each Platoon assaulted the enemy positions and destroyed all the enemy
on the airfield. This was not where the exercise ceased however. During the attack each Platoon took a casualty.
The final task? Get the casualty to the extraction point. Not to worry though, the extraction point was only two kilometres away up a twenty percent incline hill. Upon taking the casualty, the Officer Cadets picked up the stretcher and moved towards the extraction point. After some minutes of hard graft that was it. ‘STOP’! The tactical phase of the exercise was over. Expressions of relief and pride could be seen throughout the worn out faces of the Platoons. The only problem now? There was still 36hrs of the exercise to go.
The Section Competition
After arriving at a new location, the Platoons were split up into a new Order of Battle for the next phase, the Section Competition. The Section competition saw 8 Sections (8 person teams) covering miles upon miles of Otterburn terrain on foot. Their task along the way was to complete different stands and tasks, testing the skills taught during the RSOI phase. Twenty four hours
of patrolling and activities proved to
be difficult for many Officer Cadets, particularly after a five day exercise. All however, gave a sterling effort and in
no time, the section competition neared its end. The competition concluded
with a casualty evacuation through an extremely refreshing river, providing most of the Officer Cadets with an opportunity to be washed, an activity which they had not partaken in since 6 days prior. After
a final TAB to the pick up point, Officer Cadets were once again loaded onto Troop Carrying Vehicles and transported back to Otterburn Camp
The party
Upon arrival back at Otterburn Camp, a glorious champagne breakfast awaited all those returning from the exercise area. After some post exercise admin and a glorious hot shower, it was time
for the ADX party. During the course of the evening several awards were made, new Under Officers appointed, and many drinks drunk.
All in all, this years ADX green package acted as a terrific way to consolidate
the last years training and provide experiences in leadership that cannot
be sought from any other University Society. Many Officer Cadets came away from this years exercise feeling more confident and resilient than ever before, and with more aspiration to become a leader in the future. A strenuous and demanding exercise this year left Officer Cadets with new learning experiences and confidence within. It would be in
no doubt that CUOTC truly lived up to
its motto this year: Discendo Dvces; By Learning, You Will Lead.
SUO Prockter
4 THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER