Page 99 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2018

REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN) 97
Waterloo Squadron, Royal Armoured Corp Training Regiment (RACTR)
It has been another extremely busy and demanding year for Waterloo Squadron, which has continued to deliver ambi- tious, enthusiastic, diligent and robust trainees, educating more than 420 of the next generation of Royal Armoured Corps sol- diers and delivering them to the Field Army. The training team also welcomed some new additions to its ranks with Major James Rickett replacing Major Rathbone, who has now left the Army to play golf and work behind the bar at his local golf club, as Officer Commanding. The team also welcomed Sergeant Flude & Corporal O’Callaghan taking up the posts of Rehabilitation & Discharge Cell Troop Sergeant and Troop Corporal respectively.
Waterloo Squadron finds itself in a fantastic position, with a duty of care to both recruits and permanent staff that is second to none. The challenges that face the training team are varied, with no day the same as any other. The sense of achievement at seeing Initial Trade Training trainees complete their specific training and move on to their relevant units remains a very re- warding experience.
2018 also heralded the arrival of female soldiers in Women Ground Close Combat roles, and Waterloo Squadron success- fully trained and sent on its first female soldiers to the various units within the RAC; it hasn’t come without its challenges, but the ethos is very much business as usual. However, with the help of the female permanent staff, we continue to learn and improve the way we conduct our training to ensure the best possible results.
Corporal Doyle & Corporal Neal continue to represent the Ar- mour Centre football team, making it into final of the Army Minor Units Cup where they beat ATR Winchester 3-0 in a thrilling game. Corporal Doyle scored all three goals, his man- of-the-match performance, helping the Armour Centre secure its first piece of silverware. When not representing Armour Centre on the pitch, Corporals Doyle, Neal & O’Callaghan are continu- ing to prepare the next generation of RAC soldiers for the future challenges that the RAC has to offer. Regimental Sergeant Major Renton will soon return to regimental duty to educate the Offic- ers’ Mess on how to shoot deer – and to be HQ Squadron 2IC.
One of the highlights of the post here in Bovington is being able to track future Royal Lancers: trainees continually ask questions about the Regiment, whether it be about the motto or what regi- mental life entails, which gives plenty of opportunities to teach them our history and improve their understanding of what the Regiment is doing now. Finally, I can’t recommend enough the rewards and benefits of this training establishment and thank you for sending good quality NCOs, who have all been fine ambassadors and recruiting agents for the Regiment. We must never lose sight of the fact we are dealing with young and im- pressionable individuals whose behaviour and understanding of the Field Army will be underpinned by their experiences here. We must be mentors as well as trainers, do the basics well, be fit, smart, with exceptional self-discipline.
JR