Page 34 - Chiron 2024

ITT Phase 2 parade
by LCpl Hoyland
On 23rd February 2024, 8 students of Initial Trade Training (ITT) Course 2303 successfully passed out as RAVC soldiers.
The students’ families and friends gathered on a sunny February
morning at the Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) to celebrate their respected loved ones achievements over the last 7 weeks. Prior to the parade they were offered refreshments and had talks from the Commanding Officer (CO) of the DATR, Lt Colonel Robinson on their success of passing the arduous course, in addition Lt Colonel Budge, CO of 1st MWD Regt, spoke about their exciting future roles as dog handlers over at the Regiment in North Luffenham. Taking lead on the pass out parade was Sgt Mahoney (ITT SNCO), a drill instructor with very high standards of drill, all students were immaculately turned out and all drill movements were carried out with precision. In attendance of the parade was Honorary Colonel Neil Smith of the RAVC Association, who presented the students with their RAVC stable belts and TRF’s. In addition, he presented the top student award to Pte Midson for her outstanding effort and achievements on the course.
They will now commence their RAVC careers at Canine Training Squadron (CTS) at the DATR as part of the Patrol Dog Handler Initiative (PDHI), being mentored in the training of newly procured patrol dogs, by the experienced dog trainers of CTS. They will learn invaluable skills they can take forward when assigned their own patrol MWD when they get to their respected Sqns at 1st MWD Regt.
32 / Chiron Calling