Page 9 - LBV 2015

Included in this year’s newcomers to CUOTC are Stormberg platoon. New recruits have joined at both the Cambridge and UEA branches and have spent this year getting stuck in to OTC events. There exists a wide array of subjects and educational levels within the members of the new platoon,
from rst years to MSc students, studying subjects ranging from medicine to economics, engineering to physiotherapy, and lm and TV production to animal behaviour.
One of the most notable events was this year’s Ex URBAN RAIDER. While B and C company cadets were out practicing their skills and drills, Stormberg platoon were introduced to some eld craft and patrol basics. While
sleeping out under the stars, early
starts and sentry duty may not
have been everyone’s idea of a
relaxing weekend break, everyone
certainly found it an insightful
experience. By the end of the
weekend the shipping containers
looked like comparative luxury compared to
our new bashas. Stormberg platoon were also offered the opportunity to observe other cadets performing and repelling night assaults on a compound, complete with simulated mortar rounds, illum rounds, and a running commentary by Staff Ford, and Sergeant Johnson. The culmination of the weekend saw the platoon
participating as either civilians or armed militants in the village being assaulted. This provided a thoroughly immersive experience giving new recruits a good look as to what can be expected from them in the future.
Ex DYNAMIC VAGABOND saw 2 members
of Stormberg platoon travel to RAC RHQ in Bovington for a weekend of competition against other OTCs in a multitude of events including: orienteering, vehicle identi cation, turret traversing, and a combined assault course and stretcher race. The RAC was kind enough to put on a social for the OTCs which allowed them to get a look into what may life may (sometimes!) be like in the RAC of cers’ mess, and also to
interact with the young of cers themselves to nd out a little bit about what it takes to become an of cer in the Royal Armoured Corps.
A further key event has been the MOD 1 consolidated course. Cadets in attendance found
themselves having to squeeze a year’s worth
of OTC learning into a short 10 day course including: weapons handling and skill at arms, eld craft and administration, drill, battle eld casualty drills, tabbing, navigation exercises and even PT at 5am. Nonetheless, all of cer cadets thoroughly enjoyed their time and came away from the event with a MOD 1 pass, a few funnies,
CUOTC
Stormberg Platoon 2015
A further key event has been the MOD 1 consolidated course.
THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER 7