Page 388 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
appointments. During the period I project managed the online course design and management, and pilot of the first remote course delivery, receiving a 2 Star Commendation whilst managing over 50 Covid 19 Liaison Officers responsible for SE, SW and LONDIST deployments on the outset of the pandemic, and simul- taneously completing a Post Graduate Certificate Academic Practice in Higher Education.11
Junior Non Commissioned Officers at the rank of Corporal also had opportunity to serve outside the Corps and the very best were selected to represent the RAVC. Such an individual amongst many other was Cpl Steve Hood who later went on be commissioned within the Adjutant General’s Corps (Educational and Training Services Branch) during 2018. Since August 2020, he has been an instructor at the Army School of Education on the Potential Officers’ Development Course, developing and mentoring those who seek to go to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as Officer Cadets.
Cpl Hood was assigned to ATR Winchester in August 2007. He relished the opportunity to go to another organisation as he thoroughly enjoyed teaching and mentoring younger dog handlers in Melton, but also wanted an opportunity to do that in a Phase One, or basic training environment. Being a Section Commander at ATR Winchester it was one of the highlights of his career as it gave him an opportunity grow and develop as an instructor and, more importantly, a JNCO. Furthermore, working in an environment with other cap badges enabled him to see how they worked and learn from their experiences. The role included teaching recruits how to iron their uniform, conduct drill, weapon handling, and fieldcraft.
Being the only RAVC soldier at ATR Winchester was a privilege because it gave those who were aspiring to join the RAVC an example to follow, but also enabled the education of those recruits and staff alike about the RAVC and their role in the Army. Cpl Hood felt this came with a respon- sibility to do well and be professional to represent the RAVC in the light that it deserved.12
A Civilian Colleague to the RAVC....
Miss Pauline Reid worked at the DATR from 1985 as a civilian groom and in 1998 promoted into the Equine Administrative Officer role, during 1993 again advancing to SO3 Training. Here Pauline was accountable for the Forecast of Training,
11 Written testimony by Major Robert P Hart RAVC dated 15th May 2021.
12 Written testimony by Captain Steve Hood AGC (ETS) dated 20th May
13 Written testimony taken from Miss Pauline Reid October 2021.
working very much with the Field Army to deal with training requirements and guaranteeing the availability of required courses taught at Melton.
During 2018 she worked in Health and Safety and Infrastructure and put into action the Covid 19 HSAW Policy and Force Health Protection measures during the pandemic. In addition, she managed the infrastructure budget for projects that enriched the lived experience of RAVC soldiers.
Pauline also undertook Defence Support to Operations roles, completing five separate deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation HERRICK and TORAL, utilising her finance skills at both Camp Bastion in Helmand Province and at Camp Souter, Kabul. She approved requests for the Military Working Dogs; typical items included umbrellas and protective boots for dogs due to the high temperatures found in the hostile environment. She also thoughtfully prioritised many items for the dog handlers, such as fridges and fans to help improve welfare for them where she could.
In 2016 she deployed as the Senior Ops Manager in the Labour Support Unit, at Hamid Karzai International Airport Kabul (HKIA), overseeing the work of 300 locally employed Afghan civilians. She deployed again to HKIA in 2017 working on the Ex-gratia Scheme for LECs including inter- preters who had worked for the UK government.
In 2021 whilst deployed on Op PITTING at the British Embassy Kabul (BEK), she delivered the UK’s Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP). For safety reasons she was moved to the Evacuation Handling Centre (Baron Hotel), where Pauline and three colleagues, relocated over 7000 Afghan local staff and dependants in challenging circumstances of a rapidly deteriorating security situation.
Pauline found operational work highly fulfilling, but she said “....that it was always very nice to return to the DATR her ‘home’, where she knew so many RAVC colleagues.”13
Roles expected and ... the unexpected:
While various roles in the RAVC have to be completed, not all are what the young soldier joined up to undertake. However, it’s a fact of life that with more responsibility and promotion, other less memorable tasks have to be taken on. Here, the following article by SSgt Heather Gilbert RAVC, 102 MWD Sp Unit, will resonate with many fellow members of the RAVC:
2021.
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