Page 4 - Chiron Calling Autumn 2019

The RAVC is still continuing to demonstrate its significant contribution to UK Defence, including key specialist roles in a number of operations and a range of Defence engagement activities. Our soldiers are hugely respected for their abilities, and featured in the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge’s recent visit to Pakistan. Many young people want to join the RAVC, and we are continuously approached by soldiers wishing to transfer to us. Last year we celebrated the centenary of being granted the Royal prefix, but the RAVC is never far from a significant anniversary.
It is now 25 years since the RAVC became part of the Army Medical Services, and there are few of us left who remember life before the AMS. There have been challenges as our combatant, largely Combat Support, role is not a perfect fit for our non-combatant colleagues in the other AMS cap badges. However it has given us opportunities which weren’t there for us when we were a stand alone Corps. For example, I was the first RAVC officer to attend the full Army Junior Division course in 1996, and the only vet to take the old Integrated Promotion and Staff Exam, and achieved a Staff Pass. This opened the way for many more opportunities, and to be effectively managed as a ‘main stream’ army officer. What we will see very shortly is RAVC Vet Officer careers being
formally codified so all who wish for a full career will be managed in a similar way to ‘main stream’ officers, including wider employment opportunities for those who desire them. This has involved a huge amount of work from the AMS Corps Col, with significant input from RAVC staff officers. This is a major step forward
Many young people want to join the RAVC, and we are continuously approached by soldiers wishing to transfer to us
and should bring to an end the somewhat ad hoc way VOs have sometimes felt they’ve been managed.
Another significant milestone is Lt Col Kay Hanson taking over Command of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment (Royal Army Veterinary Corps), the first RAVC CO for the Regiment. Of course the RAVC has commanded its own units around the world for decades, so this reinstates the way things should be, and the with the significant number of very able and high quality officers the Corps currently has I
am sure in future the CO will always be RAVC.
It is 30 years since I was commissioned into the RAVC and have had an interesting and eclectic career. I am now transferring to the Reserve as I start a new career ‘outside’. However, the Army No 2 Board has reappointed me to continue as Chief Veterinary and Remount Officer for the moment as a Reservist, and I will also continue to hold the appointment as the Queen’s Honorary Veterinary Surgeon.
Foreword
By Col N C Smith BVetMed MSc MDA MA FRCVS QHVS
Change of Command – 1 Military Working Dog Regiment RAVC
In July, the Commanding Officer (CO) of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment (1 MWD Regt) changed when Lt Col Lakin (RE) handed over to Lt Col Hanson (RAVC). As the Regiment nears its 10th year it is remarkable to think that this will be the
first time an RAVC Officer has commanded the only Animal Focused, Operationally Deployable Unit.
Born British in South Africa, Lt Col Hanson RAVC qualified as a veterinary surgeon from the University of Pretoria in June 2000 and moved to the United Kingdom the same year. Since joining the British Army in February 2004, she has carried out assignments in the role of Veterinary Officer and Sub-Unit Second-in-Command at 101 Military Working Dog (MWD) Squadron under 101 Log Brigade (Aldershot). She has deployed operationally to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2006, both in the role of Officer Commanding Theatre MWD Squadron. We asked the new CO a little bit about herself and what she hoped the Regiment would achieve over the next two years.
By Capt Vicky Phillips
HOW DO YOU FEEL BEING SELECTED TO COMMAND 1 MWD REGT?
It’s an honour to be given such an opportunity. The Regiment is truly unique and offers a much broader capability than most people realise. We support everything from Ph1 training to Specialist Duties operations around the globe. To be able to influence the direction the capability goes, whilst changing perceptions and culture is a big responsibility – but one that I am absolutely looking forward to.
WHAT MAKES THE REGIMENT SO SPECIAL?
Without a doubt it’s the people we have, and the teams they build with their dogs (because they’re great too). But it’s the people that put the hours into the care and maintenance of our MWDs. It’s a vocation rather than a job for many of them. In other units you can lock down and ‘mothball’ equipment when it’s not in use. We can’t do that here, our MWDs require care 7 days a week 365 days a year; they’re more than an equipment item to us – they’re part of the family. I truly believe this is the ‘best Regiment in the British Army’ and my soldiers hear that regularly from me!
OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS WHAT WILL BE YOUR PRIORITIES?
My top priority, as I’m sure it is for every CO, is to meet the aims set out by the Army Readiness Order whilst maintaining a healthy, happy Regiment. I will be working with the relevant stakeholders to increase the welfare provisions, for both personnel and MWDs, as well as looking at ways to reduce our downgraded personnel. This won’t be done by hiding injuries or manipulating the stats, but by encouraging a ‘prevention is better than a cure’ mantra and early intervention. This applies equally to our peoples physical and mental well-being.
WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO?
I like to keep fit and do this mainly with running, swimming and squash – although I will soon be adding more weights to that regime whilst at 1 MWD Regt. My husband is currently the CO of the Small Arms School Corps and so I do enjoy shooting as well. We have two boys who fill the rest of our free time.
They say a change is as good as a rest, here’s hoping to a successful two years for 1 MWD Regt with Lt Col Hanson at the helm!
2 CHIRON CALLING