Page 43 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
which were scheduled to take place late September 2005.
Whilst the Unit concentrated on its Ops readiness, plans for deployment were well in hand, and perhaps more importantly, the vast majority of Unit personnel were itching to deploy. Once again, this was a testament to the good order, motivation and enthusiasm of the RAVC in Germany at that time. Those who did not deploy had the opportunity to prepare and practice general war fighting scenarios in Poland later that autumn, as well as complete crucial trade training.39
Whist many had completed tours in hot and sandy climates, others in Germany continued to exercise, test and train in cold climates. The ILRRPS courses or Exercises were again a regular event. Liaison forged with the Bundeswehr Dog Training School allowed the opportunity to view and train alongside their Military Police and their Drug dogs, liaising with the German Red Cross and viewing their dogs working was informative to all. As the Unit crossed the ‘bow wave’ of new developments within the Army, whether it was Whole Fleet Management, and the conversion
onto BOWMAN – the new battlefield communi- cation system. The Unit worked hard whether it was on Ops, Exercise, or training, always taking time to ensure that all personnel participated in extracurricular activities. This included visits to sites such as Bergen Belsen and the Möhnesse Dam, as well as enjoying time-out at the Heide Amusement Park, paint balling, archery, wind surfing, dinghy sailing and much more.40
Study and Scenarios:
During November 2006, at Church House, Lubbecke, 102 MWD Sp Unit held its Annual Study Period, designed to enable all ranks to discuss MWD and Unit issues. The aim was to get personnel away from Sennelager and concentrate on the task in hand, without being drawn to dogs or being slaves to computers. The setting in Church House, which was built in 1938 on the orders of Hitler and run by the Hitler Youth Movement, gave food for thought.
In April 1945 the centre was requisitioned by the Allied Forces and having changed hands on numerous occasions over the years, it was at that time of the study period occupied by the Royal Army Chaplains Department. Within the
39 Chiron Calling Summer 2005 ‘Sennelager Sitrep’ by Major Chris Ham RAVC.
40 Chiron Calling Winter 2006/Summer 2007 ‘Sennelager Sitrep’ by Major Chris Ham RAVC.
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