Page 15 - RADC 2023

New Promotions
Cpl S McNally (LCpl to Cpl)
What job are you currently doing/ have promoted into?
I am currently the deputy practice manager of ITC Catterick dental centre. We are a training establishment for aspiring infantry soldiers. Being a project molar site, our focus is to ensure these soldiers meet the dental NATO CAT standards to complete training and allow them to move on in their careers dentally fit to deploy.
What difference does this next rank up mean? How does being a Cpl differ from being a LCpl ...if at all?
Promoting through the ranks is important for my career as
it opens more job opportunities for higher demanding roles.
It is always important to strive to improve and push yourself regardless of rank. However, there is a significant difference in terms of expectations and job choices when promoting to Cpl. I will be moving to a practice management role, which requires the skills and ability to manage the daily management of a dental centre.
What advice would you have for anyone (of any rank) looking to boost their profile to promote?
The best advice I can give would be to put yourself out there, volunteer for things and seek opportunities such as deployments or sports. You must want to be the best you can for yourself and your career. The rank will follow. Most importantly: enjoy what you do.
Maj L McKirdy (Capt to Maj)
What job are you currently doing/ have promoted into?
I am currently the Dental Officer at 21 Multi Role Medical Regiment. This is a newly formed Medical Unit coming under
2 Medical Brigade that combines elements of Role 1 Capability and Role 2/3 Field Hospital in one unit. As the Dental Officer
I am aligned to the Role 1 Squadron and would deploy as part of the MRS Troop. The unit is currently held at readiness of OP VENTUS – humanitarian relief to the British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean.
What difference does this next rank up mean. How does being a Major differ from being a Captain...if at all? Whilst my role as Dental Officer remains the same within
the Unit – maintaining deployable equipment and delivering dental care in a deployed setting my secondary roles and responsibilities have stepped up. I am Clinical Lead for the Sqn, this involves having responsibility for the Healthcare Governance and Assurance for all medical personnel within the squadron.
What advice would you have for anyone (of any rank) looking to boost their profile to promote?
The best piece of advice I received from a senior colleague shortly after I joined was to get the most out of the military life say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. Anything that pushes you out your comfort zone, be that selecting a medical regiment job on your PPP or volunteering for a sporting challenge event do it. Talk to as many peers, mentors, senior colleagues as you can about your aspirations, and they will give you ideas and direction on how to shape your OJAR/ SJAR. I would also advocate doing what is right for you and try and take the path that interests you and will challenge you opposed to what ‘will get you promoted’ if you genuinely enjoy what you are doing you will shine!
RADC BULLETIN 2023 13
into the bushes when making our approach!). Rapid changes in command posts required equally rapid and agile responses under pressure. This was particularly well demonstrated by OCdt Simpson who, on being unexpectedly promoted to Plt Sgt during the last platoon attack, took charge of the situation and successfully led a series of casevacs where limited resources and boggy terrain made for particularly challenging conditions.
As Module C came to a close, how far we had come over the past few weeks to become a tight family unit which could hold its own
in the field was recognised. OCdt Meldrum earned a Commander’s Coin for embodying a relentless ethos of ‘cheerfulness in the face
of adversity’ and inspiring her platoon to thrive, and not just survive, during several arduous tasks in the height of the storm. Having had our mettle tested, we were now ready to tackle Module D, which would be marked by the infamous final exercise.
Ex HORROCKS ENDEAVOUR was an exciting culmination of all of our skills and training accumulated since that seemingly distant first day at RMAS. The final platoon attack resulted in us fiercely holding our position in the fort like FOB, spurred on by the permanent staff who were clearly enjoying the scene of us working together with purpose to wreak havoc upon the enemy. Furiously bombing up and sprinting around to redistribute vital ammunition to support those in firing points, we supported each other until ZAB forces were calling out for a ceasefire from all sides. Still charged up and raring to go, we were next tasked with ensuring a successful casevac off Barossa via the notorious unavoidable obstacle – the Wishstream! Freezing cold water and boot sucking silt didn’t slow down the platoon advances and soon, smiles were beaming through filthy, sludge covered faces, proud to have completed the final challenge together as a team. Having tackled the river, the assault course was the last physical barrier to overcome as a platoon. Bruised limbs and mud slicked
kit did not detract from the real sense of achievement we felt as we tackled our fears and worked collectively to race around as a unit
in record time. And most surprisingly, without any broken bones - success! Elated to have made it through together, we were rewarded with a much-needed hot shower and our place on parade.
On the 25th November, the day we had all worked so hard for had finally arrived. The sun was shining - the best weather experienced throughout the whole of the course! Friends and families were packed into the stands on Old College parade square supporting us as we followed in the footsteps of those who had gone before us and marched up the steps into Old College to signify we had earned our commission. Of the 102 who climbed the steps, there were 4 newly commissioned Dental Officers proud to be counted in their number. United and shaped by our CCS experience, we are truly excited by the opportunity to take on the next challenge, apply our new skills, and ultimately, serve to lead within the RADC. Ex Dentibus Ensis.
Editor – it was a pleasure to watch these Captains commission with our fellow RADC colleagues watching and cheering on, pictured, Lt Col Davis, Maj McKirdy, Capt Rudman and Cpl Fox.