Page 100 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2019

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REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
Lancers in the Combat Communications and Information Systems School
2019 and the rumour of AJAX persists... From a Communi- cations and Information Systems (CIS) perspective we relish the uplift that AJAX brings and a leap in capability that will potentially catapult our effectiveness in line with 21st Century expectations.
In the meantime, the Lancers here at the Combat CIS (CBT CIS) School have been a busy bunch. We have bid farewell to Captain Hackney on commission to take up the role of Motor- ised Transport Officer to the Royal Dragoon Guards; a position he will no doubt impose his sense of panache to. We also, after a tenure of imparting his wisdom to the Regiment Signals Of- ficer (RSO) course in the role of Mounted Close Combat (MCC) SO3, see Maj Purbrick leave to begin the MA Applied Security Strategy with Exeter University and sincerely hope that this subsequently isn’t the catalyst to the uprising of the machines as foretold in the Terminator film franchise.
During this year it is also with deep regret that we at the CBT CIS School missed the opportunity to work under one of the finest Late Entry Officers of the Regiment with the untimely passing of Maj Welborn who was due to take over as SO2 MCC. His absence and the opportunity of what he would have brought is keenly felt by all that knew him here.
The legacy of the forbearing Regiments of The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths’ Own) is strong within the Combat CIS School, personified in the form of the Babcock instructors here; formerly WO1 (RSMI) Andrews, WO2 Carl and the newly welcomed Sgt Ruston, all of which keenly engage with the future soldiers of the Regiment during their training here and uphold the values instilled in their experience to the highest standards. It is an absolute pleas- ure to reminisce with them all in the best of Regimental spirits.
Bringing new blood to the CIS world we welcomed Sgt William- son to the School who has set amongst his role with zeal, usher- ing BCIP 5.6 training to many familiar Royal Lancer faces, as well as becoming a new parent.
WO1 Turrill and Sgt Williamson at the Combat CIS School
Within the School there only remains me, WO1 Turrill, as one of the last Royal Armoured Corps Clansman Instructors, that finds himself in the fortuitous role of Dismounted Close Combat WO1. Primarily focused on the RSO and RSWO course but now firmly at ease within the Infantry cohort that moved here from Land Warfare Centre (LWC), Warminster, enabling their transi- tion into the Armour Centre (ARMCEN) way of business.
It has been an enlightening experience working with the Infan- try CIS stream. A new perspective coupled with the desire for in- novation from the Combined Arms RSO group has been a breath of fresh air. Whist I will always be an advocate of functionality over novelty (physics is physics), it is wonderful as I near the end of my career to be kept on my toes by inquisitive students want- ing to push the capabilities of CIS. For as long as it is continued to be supported at Regiment Duty, the future is bright.
Armoured Fighting Vehicle Technical Training School (TTS) Gunnery Wing
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Most of the AFV TTS Gunnery School staff – SSgt Martin, Sgt Nagorski, Maj Rickett, WO2 Champkins and SSgt Davies
The Royal Lancers continue to uphold professionalism and standards at the Armoured Fighting Vehicle Technical Training School (TTS) Gunnery Wing with a strong regimen- tal footprint. The Wing continues to provide technical gunnery training as well as integral support to the Field Army in all things associated with armoured live firing. Unsurprisingly, all of the Lancers here in Lulworth deliver the highest standards over all of the courses. The Wing has recently seen a changeover of Officer Commanding and we have welcomed Maj James Rick- ett from Waterloo Squadron in Bovington back to his gunnery roots.
Sgt Andrew Riches and Sgt Mark Nagorski were new additions to the Gunnery Wing from the Regiment this year. They have both have settled in well to life at the TTS in both the work and Mess environment. Many congratulations to Sgt and Mrs Nagorski on the recent birth of their girl Pippa. WO2 (RQMS) Simon Champkins tirelessly works in the Quartermaster’s De-