Page 18 - LBV 2023
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NATO Conference Report
JUO William Ross, a 5th year student studying Medicine at Pembroke College, Cambridge, was invited
to present at the Interallied Confederation of the Medical Reserve Officers (CIOMR) Mid-Winter Meeting 2023, taking place at NATO HQ, Brussels, Belgium. CIOMR is
the umbrella organisation, under which the national associations of multi-professional reservist medical services unite.
Working in collaboration with
OCdt Kidd and OCdt Thorpe of East Midlands UOTC, JUO Ross presented on the opening day of the conference around the theme of “Diversity and the Next Generation”. JUO Ross shared his experiences, as a member of Gen Z, in joining the military, the frictions he has faced in doing so and offered some advice on what commanders could do to make the military a more welcoming environment for the next generation.
On the second day of the conference, continuing the same theme, the officer cadets hosted a Q and A panel, tackling questions from the floor. The morning concluded with the officer cadets splitting up and joining discussion groups composed
of reserve officers from a range of nations, ranks and generations to work through challenging topics, such as “What does service mean to you?”, “How does being in the military contribute to your identity?” and “How do you feel about hierarchical structures, is flatter better?”. This proved to be a valuable space for discussion, allowing attendees
to speak candidly, highlighting intergenerational parallels and frictions, and demonstrating the potential need for compromise, when leading a diverse, multigenerational team.
As well as presenting, JUO Ross was able to attend the first two days of the conference and hear from a range of speakers, touching on variety of topics, from diversity in the workplace to the role of cybersecurity in relation to the provision of healthcare. Specific highlights included seeing the UK Surgeon-General, Major General Tim Hodgetts CBE, share his experiences and give insight into his role as
the Chair of NATO’s Committee of Chiefs of Military Medical Services (COMEDS), and hearing from LtCol Axel Haas, from NATO’s Cyber Operations Centre, who shared
his expertise on the establishment
of cyberspace as a one of the key domains of modern military operations.
Overall, this was a valuable experience, giving insight into the role of the UK as a member of NATO, the importance of collaboration and trust in multi-national operations and gave a greater understanding of the evolving challenges faced in the provision of medical support in modern multi- domain military operations.
JUO W Ross
St. Andrews Dinner
We were lucky to be able to fly up to Edinburgh to visit the OTC and tour with the MI based in the castle. It was an amazing experience to be able to tour around with insider eyes seeing if from a Officers perspective who pointed out the lesser known nuclear bunker under one of the surrounding hills.
We also were able to dine with Edinburgh UOTCs finest and listen to award winning bagpipers in between courses. We didn’t hesitate to use the time to make connections and gain as much information from our guides and from what the museums had to offer.
It was a well enjoyed experience by all and found to be a full on quick burst of culture which made a lasting impression on those lucky enough to attend.
JUO R Boreham
18 THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER