Page 281 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
c. LAT 08 identified seventy-five posts, which was to be ratified imminently.
The RAVC had no Reservist element that could form a Contingent Component to meet the current or predicted MWD tasks demanded by Defence Planning Assumptions. An RAVC TA Unit capable of generating Force Elements (FEs) for a Contingent Component was therefore deemed essential.
Commander 104 Log Sp Bde was invited to agree that: ‘A RAVC TA MWD Unit to generate FEs for a TA Contingent Component would increase operational effectiveness and that the Defence Competent Authority for MWD, Director Army Veterinary and Remount Services (DAVRS), should be requested to expedite a review of the requirement for reservist MWD support. The RAVC TA Unit does not negate the need for the increased regular manpower uplifts for the RAVC. The RAVC TA Unit is Army sponsored, RAVC cap-badged, based in the East Midlands (Grantham)’.
Major Ham concluded; a dedicated RAVC TA Unit is essential, as the current MWD provision for deployed Operations is insufficient to meet Operational demands. It is likely that as the utility of MWD are further realised the demand for MWD capability will continue to expand. A Statement of Need should be produced outlining the urgent need for an RAVC TA Unit based at Grantham, within a time line commensurate with current RAVC Regular Force Generation processes.
Once again, the driving force for the requirement was the need for additional dog handlers for war fighting operations. A great deal of research and consultation was conducted and with consid- erable assistance from the RLC at Grantham, the RAVC TA Paper was endorsed by the Brigade Commander and submitted to AMD. Sadly, the concept was not moved forward due to the uplifts in Regular full-time RAVC manning being in focus at that time. Those who may have access to the original document will note there are striking similarities, particularly the recommended size of the first RAVC TA, to the first RAVC Reserve Squadron, 101 MWD Sqn, of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment (RAVC).
A lengthy study which followed the Govern- ment’s Strategic Defence and Security Review was published in July 2012. The future structure of the British Army was to be configured to complete a broader range of military tasks both at home and overseas. It was seen that the future 2020 Army would integrate both Regulars and Reserves; the Reserves to be used routinely as opposed to only
in extreme circumstances.
TA to Army Reserve – 2013
In 2013, the same year, the name for the Territorial Army was renamed the Army Reserve, Lt Col Chris Ham, based at AMD Camberley wrote an ‘Options Paper’. The Paper covered exactly that – the options concerning the feasibility of the use of TA dog handlers within the RAVC.
Further staff work was completed by numerous personnel across many branches of the Army HQ and 1 MWD Regt. The DAVRS Study Period, held during October 2013 and attended by numerous Reserve subject matter experts from a range of cap badges, put the RAVC Reserves concept across to those who would have to work and implement the future structural change – RAVC Reserve Doctrine, the RAVC Reserve Handler Career Development Pathway and RAVC Reserves structure, based on similar hybrid Units were drafted and, after many months, were ratified.
At long last a RAVC TA or Reserves Unit, or cadre, was about to be created.
The type of RAVC Reserve Unit to be formed was that of a hybrid Unit. Hybrid Units are Regular Units or Sub-Units that contain an Army Reserve Sub-Unit or troop integrated in the structure. Superficially, hybrid Units appear to offer considerable simplification of Command and Control and cost savings by removing the need for a separate chain of command and a Reserve Unit headquarters. Other possible benefits claimed, included closer integration in training, simpler force generation for Operations, and sharing of equipment and training facilities.
Recruiting for the RAVC Reserve started in earnest by 1st Military Working Dog Regiment (RAVC) during January 2015. Many ex-Regular soldiers from various cap badges, as well as many ex-Corps personnel came forward. Approxi- mately 50% of those who joined had no military experience, however, several of the personnel were involved in animal related industries, and a number were dog handlers in a civilian role.
Lieutenant Colonel Chris Ham MBE RAVC, who retired after a full regular career in October 2014, was selected and appointed as the first RAVC Reserve Sqn OC during the summer of 2015. His long – standing desire for the RAVC to form a Reserve Unit, his lengthy service, previous experience and his background in re-rolling of Units, in addition to his understanding gained whilst working at 2nd Medical Brigade – predom- inantly working in a Reserve environment – gave him the necessary experience to crystallise the
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