Page 386 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
Bde operating concept. She worked closely with the Regionally Aligned Brigades (RABs) as they developed their Defence Engagement and Security Force Assistance plans for their respective AORs, as the Major recalled: “A very busy three years, a steep learning curve in some areas, but thoroughly enjoyable. It provided an opportunity to meet people and work with organisations that you are not normally able to as a member of the Armed Forces, particularly not in the RAVC. I was able to take a huge amount from it, a surprising amount of which has been applicable to my current role.”7
SO2 AMS Recruiting. Responsible for the ‘attract’ and recruitment of MSOs and VOs, this role was also involved in providing advice and interviewing potential candidates to establish suitability for sponsorship. It also included being the Regimental Representative for potential RAMC MSOs attending RMAS Commissioning Course, including Arms and Services Displays, Combat Service Support (CSS) presentations and general nurturing. It includes recruiting soldiers into the RAVC and RAMC by liaising with ACIOs/ AFCOs, Regional Recruiting staff and Internal Recruiting Fayres, etc. Administering the Satisfied Soldier Scheme, Regimental Insight Course and responding to questions about General Traina- bility Index (GTI) variations and age shading also falls within the remit of this role.
The recruitment umbrella also covers interviews for potential transfers in from other Arms and Services; liaising with DMS Training Centre and ATR and Heads of CEGs and assisting with the recruitment of Professionally Qualified Officers by attending medical schools, hospitals, UOTCs, and various meetings – to give briefings. Further responsibilities include deputising for SO1/RO1 RAMC Recruiting and carrying-out other military duties, as required. There is also a development element to the role: to develop activity to improve the conversion rate of AMS Regular Officer Entry, develop and produce AMS Doctrinal/Recruiting Policy, and to develop an AMS Capability DVD for use in the recruiting space as well, as to review and refresh all AMS Marketing Literature.
One incumbent of the role, Lt Col Martyn Thompson MBE RAVC recalls: “I was focussed on developing and improving the AMS Recruiting Intelligence Preparation of the Recruiting Environment (IPRE) and partnering with Capita;
portraying a one AMS philosophy and ensuring that any contact was established and handed off to the correct Reserve Unit if the individual was not seeking full-time employment. With circa sixty-four cadres, it was a challenging yet thoroughly rewarding role for an RAVC LE Officer.”8
Defence Infrastructure Organisation Service Delivery Training: Commander DIO Kenya – based in Kenya – had a number of responsibilities including Budget (circa £8M), Service Families Accommodation, Local Infrastructure, Soft and Hard Facilities Management, Projects Delivery, Land Management, Host Nation Engagement and the provision and management of the training estate – Safe Place to Train for circa twelve thousand troops annually (Infantry Light Role Battlegroup CT3/4 level High Readiness Training). The training estate, that’s all Training on Private Land; renting land from 13 separate landowners on an annual basis, in conjunction with UK based Land Management Services, British High Commission and the Kenyan Defence Forces HQ staff (TOPL – 50,000 acres). When asked about his time in the role, Lt Col Richard Pope OBE, RAVC offered, poignantly: “Probably one of the most rewarding yet, challenging jobs I have undertaken during my career.”9
Executive Officer, Head of Capability, Combat Service Support: Working in Army Headquarters in 2018, in a Military Working Dog Capability Development role, Major Emma Jude MBE RAVC was selected to cover as Executive Officer (XO) for the 1 Star Department of Head of Capability, Combat Service Support (CSS). Her role was to cohere the work streams of three different pillars in the department (the Medical, Logistical and Future Plans pillars). This was a great opportunity, where Major Jude was able to learn about the key equipment programmes for the Army’s CSS capabilities, for instance Materiel Distribution Land (which looked at replacements for the Army’s current fleet of heavy lifting/logistical vehicles) and future Civilian Armoured Vehicles (CAV).10
Head Office Directorate (Special Projects) SO1 Protect: According to Lt Col Mark Morrison RAVC: “This proved a very busy post and was, at one point, temporarily filled at E2 for one rotation, and
7 Oral testimony provided by Major Beccy Graves RAVC dated April 2021.
8 Oral testimony provided by Lt Col Martyn Thompson MBE RAVC dated March 2021.
9 Lt Col Richard C Pope OBE RAVC written testimony dated April 2021.
10 Major Emma Jude MBE RAVC written testimony dated April 2021.
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