Page 389 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
G4 – An Exclusive Club?
Eighteen months ago, when I was told I was going to be the CQMS of 102 MWD Sp Unit in Germany, I had certain feelings of apprehension; I was going into a trade that was out of my “comfort zone” and into the world of G4. Following a six-week All Arms RQMS course in Deepcut; I felt I had a basic knowledge to help me through my new posting. How wrong was I? Nothing can prepare you for the area that is G4!
I took over from a RLC guru with his 4 RLC JNCO’s: “It’s not busy here”, he stated on my arrival, all very well and good with his four members of staff (he managed to play golf every afternoon. In nearly two years, I still haven’t managed this). “It’s easy, just look in JSPs if you don’t know,” was his final departing remark. Those of you who have ever worked in the stores will know this is true, up to a point! During my tour in Germany, I have dealt with two uplifts of personnel and the associated equipment that they require for the numerous exercises, the introduction of Green Fleet and JAMES to the Unit, and more recently, my personal favourite, BOWMAN.
Being a CQMS in an Operational Unit is not a job for the faint-hearted; you need to be able to communicate with others, be flexible and frequently have a sense of humour. Overall, the job as CQMS is very rewarding and, with just over a year to do, the time in post does pass quickly. G4 is an area that should be considered by all at some point during their Military career. This job is not an exclusive club just for the RLC, but one all ranks of the RAVC can join and contribute towards.14
The post of JNCO MWD Instructor Defence Explosive Munitions Search School (DEMS) Bicester, is another post with surprises for the incumbent. It is for a RAVC Cpl who is trained and proven as an instructor and as a Specialist Search Dog handler with Operational experience. The role of the RAVC handler at DEMS is to instruct how to correctly employ MWD search capabilities at Defence’s School of Excellence for all Search and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Trg.
The Unit is made up largely of RLC and RE personnel, however it is a Tri-Service Trg School with members from across Defence. The courses and training that the RAVC handlers support range from Intermediate All Arms Search Course to the Advanced Search Course/Defence Advanced Search Advisor Course as well as support to the Conventional Munitions Disposal team that also trains the military’s Senior Ammunition Technicians (Bomb Disposal Operators). The role of this sole RAVC handler is critical to ensure that the future search trained personnel, at all ranks, and those with bomb disposal final duties,
have a complete understanding of what MWD handlers and their search MWDs can offer as part of the ‘layered approach’ to Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) activities. This under- standing is key when employing MWDs in the UK and overseas search operations.
As the JNCO is the sole ambassador for MWD capability and the RAVC in the training school, the role is high profile. The handler has two search MWDs in their charge to use during the training and the handler also gets a chance to develop their skills in C-IED whilst in this post. These skills are critical and are fed back as the handler returns to either 1 MWD Regt or to the DATR. This post is certainly one of the most sought after by all RAVC Cpls with the necessary skills and qualifications and provides a unique opportunity to work in a Tri-Service environment. Many RAVC soldiers have served either at The National Search Centre at Lodge Hill Camp in Rochester, which closed in August 2013, and relocated to what is now known as DEMSS in Bicester.
It is noteworthy that many other RAVC high quality JNCOs and SNCOs have served at NITAT (Northern Ireland Training and Advisory Team) or OPTAG (Operational Training and Advisory Group) training establishments passing on much critical Operational knowledge to other Regiments and Corps members regarding the use of MWDs from the early 1970s until the mid-2000s.
OPTAG was part of the Land Warfare Centre and was responsible for providing training advice to Units selected for Operations in Northern Ireland and other Operational theatres e.g., Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan to name a few. Within OPTAG, OPTAT (Operational Training and Advisory Team) was the large sub-unit and was manned by Officers, WOs, SNCOs and NCOs from a variety of Infantry cap badges and other Corps that included the RAVC.
OPTAG was an extremely important post for the Corps. In many cases years ago, it was the user Unit’s first introduction to MWDs in the Army and many did not know that the RAVC existed until they had been to OPTAG! Also, it was often the first contact that individual soldiers had with MWDs, and it was therefore vital that the RAVC informed them prior to any deployment on Operations.
RAVC Tactical Recognition Flash (TRF):
The importance of identity comes to the fore in any kind of merger, and the RAVC has never failed to win a battle that threatened its unique profile in the Defence makeup.
14 Chiron Calling dated Winter 2006/Summer 2007.
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